Instrument panel doesn't illuminate?

[ShellShocker]

hey guys, i have a 2002 pathy and every since i bought it last year my intrument panel will not light up (sometimes) sometimes its the gas and speedo or engine temp and tach or both but when your driving 1 or both with suddenly come on doesnt happen every time but here is what i know could possible be it

1. could be a plastic instrument panel board that may have cracked and as it warms up it exspands and the lines contact and Pow illumination occurs

2. its a pos and needs a new cluster or

3. and short (or 2) have occured in a connection somewhere but i find this hard to believe considering the vehicle doesnt have to be moving for them to randomly illuminate

if i get pics here soon which i got new wheels been meaning to take pics ill get one of the panel not working and ill post here soon thank you for your comments may be a few before im back on here like friday or so.

[Towncivilian]

Pull the cluster and make sure the bulbs are undamaged. See here for instructions on accessing the instrument cluster: http://forums.nicoclub.com/how-to-replace-instrument-cluster-lamps-t461756.html

[MrT]

sounds like a loose connector/wiring issue to me. You could always just duct tape a flash light to the steering column.