Gauge cluster not working, shop cannot get reading

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
315,000 MILES • 3.3L • AUTOMATIC
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KT1011
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  • 1 POST
I have an '05 Highlander Limited. A few weeks ago, the gauge cluster went out (speedometer, gas gauge) but the lights on instrument panel still work (blinkers, brights, check engine, etc.). After checking the battery terminals and all the fuses, I took it in. The quote was super high to replace the instrument panel, so I was looking to get the part and do it myself, but then the check engine light came on. The AC also wasn't blowing cold throughout all of this.

I took it back to the shop and they said 1) they didn't see the check engine light being on (even though it was on for me the whole drive there), and 2) they can't get a reading from the car's computer at all and suspect that it's because the instrument panel is out.

Would a hard reset of the ECU be a good place to start here? Not sure what's going on — could be a faulty check engine since the instrument panel is going haywire, but worried that they can't get a reading on it.
Jul 20, 2026 at 7:46 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hello, I can help you, we should check the power and ground for the cluster first which this video to help with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlna_kUt7As

I have marked the wires to test for clarity. The first 2 images have the power with the key on. The last image should have grounds. If these are good I would get as sued cluster from ebay and plug it in to see what happens. Check out the images (below). Please upload an image or a short video in your response, so I can see what's going on.

Jul 21, 2026 at 12:16 AM
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