[FredC]

Hey,
Out for a run today. Loaded my 2013 Z6 onto the trailer and the gauge cluster was lit up.
Arrived at my destination and when I went to unload the sxs, it started but the gauge was blank, nothing. None of the switches work and won't go in or out of 2 wheel or 4 wheel. You don't hear it switching. Power to the ignition but not the gauges/cluster.
I checked all the fuses and changed them. Could it be a bad ground?

Thanks
Fred

[NMKawierider]

Lost power for some reason so just trace it out. Probably find a bad connector or rodent damage.

[FredC]

Yes.
I started yesterday after I got back. Checked the connections at the gauge cleaned most, have a couple left. I didn't put a meter on them. Like you said, trace back. I am going to check the ground coming off the battery to the body and the engine ground. Maybe that's it. Anyway I will have to dig in a bit deeper today.

Thank You

[FredC]

Found it. was a fuse after all. Couldn't see it in the daylight. Was just a small black mark on the fuse. Check the fuses again today and noticed it. Put in a new one and you could here it crack when I turned the key. Faulty 12v aux outlet.
I was just going to put a generic one on and splice into the wiring from the old outlet.

[FredC]

Well!!
I installed the new 12v outlet and everything worked fine. Buttoned everything up and rechecked it. Blew another fuse!!!!!!! Took cover off from underneath gauge cluster and put another fuse in again. Worked fine. Screwed cover back on again, tried it and fuse blew again!@#$%*****
Took cover off again, unplugged 12v socket and plugged back in again. Turned ignition again and fine. Left ignition on and moved the wiring around and fuse didn't trip. Pushed cover back in place and still didn't trip. So I thought as soon as I screw the cover back in it will trip. SO,  once the screw hit the metal it blew the fuse and the main fuse went as well.!@#$%^&******!@#$%
Anyone have any thoughts or fixes for this?
Frustrated

[NMKawierider]

Have to know why. Is it a bad unit..a mis located harness section...ect. Why does it short to ground by putting that screw in...that is the question. We aren't there and can't see or test anything. 

[FredC]

Does the harness have a ground?
Maybe that could be loose or corroded?

[NMKawierider]

Does the harness have a ground?
Maybe that could be loose or corroded?

There are common/ground wires in the harness headed to grounding points. Post some pics of all this you were talking about.

[FredC]

Sure thing. I will get some pics in the coming days. Not sure if I will fart around with it tonight.
Thanks for your help.

[huntnmachine]

Not a gear head but sounds like a pinched wire being it happens when you put the cover back on.
Sounds to me like a mounting screw touching a live wire. Again, not saying I'm in the know, but maybe check that.

Good luck and hope you find the problem

[FredC]

Came home this evening put a new fuse in with the 12v outlet disconnected. Turned key and everything fine. Screwed the bolts back in and fuse blown. I found that very odd because the bolt is like a solid connection on the frame and there are more bolts in that area. Left the bolts screwed in and took a closer look and one if not both are touching the wires on the switches in the dash. Loosened both bolts so they are not touching the wires and turned the key and everything fine, no blown fuse. Hope that is it. Fingers crossed.

[huntnmachine]

Glad you found the problem