Have you looked at a electrical wiring diagram?

 

Not yet;
for what would I be looking, specifically?

 

For why the gauge is not getting power.

 

I will locate a wiring diagram online, but not crossing my fingers for a solution that way.
reason I didnt go there first is that many wiring diagrams are mostly "theoretical",
in that they give no indications on where a given wire or component is physically located within the car.

Owner's manual sent me to the "Gauge" and "Dome" fuses...
other forums (and traffic here) suggest possibly the dimmer switch, but seems like that's usually NOT the issue when that switch still works.

 

You don't diagnose a electrical issues without a EWD. The EWD shows you all the wires and components needed that powers the component that is not working. Or you can always guess instead of diagnosing. Toyota EWD's in particular are well made and shows you the location, the connector, which pin, ghe entire map of how your electrical system works. It could be a fuse, it could be a relay, it could be as easy as a unplugged connector, or just as hard as a random cut wire.

If you don't want to use an EWD, you don't have to. We all understand how hundreds of wire colors and connectors work right?

Its electrical diagnosis or parts replacement, take you pick.

Get you 2-days from Toyora TIS if you want to find an EWD.

Could just be a bad ECU 🤣

 

Absolutely right, and many thanks for the responses!

I am not adverse to doing a job right, to be sure...

I am, however, just poor (and lazy) enough to trawl the 'net a bit to see if I can get some info on the issue,
and yes, kinda assuming it's something that has happened to someone else before it visited me. lol...

 

It's possible that the cluster has an internal capacitor or something wrong with the PCB.

I suggest to look at the ewd and determine where ground and 12v signal is in the connector and test to see if there's power.

Then plug the cluster in and probe the connector again to see if theres power going to the cluster.

If there's no power, then cluster is dead or leaking internally.

 

makes perfect sense. Thanks again!

 

If you can't find a matrix cluster, use row52 or ask @XtRaSlo. I believe he has one for sale. But it's from an xrs.

 

+1 for the ole unplug replug

 

Man, wouldn't it be great to have a parts car to just grab the cluster from and plug it in and see if it works?. I had a 2002 Corolla that my kid made into a 3 wheeler by hitting a tree. Didn't have room to store it or I'd have bought another and used the wreck for parts.

 

lol... nothing like having spare parts available, to be sure

 

corollas are widespread at most junkyards and clusters are like 30 bucks