Delayed Dash Startup

[MrSwa]

When I left work yesterday, I noticed that my service engine soon light, and my abs light where not lit up (service engine light is for idle code, abs light unknown at this point). I live like 2 min from work so when I get home, I check the codes. Still throwing one (same one it has been). I wash it yesterday afternoon, and when I go to start it, the dash unit doesn't come on. Gauges, don't sweep, no mileage, etc. The car starts and idles fine. Even drives without the dash. I'm not sure if when I left work the dash started up normal or "delayed."

Here's the kicker, after about 15-20sec of the car running, the dash comes on. Everything works the way it's supposed to. I had the alternator go out on me last year, and got the stock one rebuilt. I also still have the battery from the factory. I have been getting the gut feeling that the alternator is on it's way out for some time, but it keeps on running. Anyone ever experience a "delayed" dash start up? Any ideas what it could be?

 

[gabe1530]

Check your fuzes. I had the same thing happen to mine but it wasn't from washing it.
The fuze that I replaced was the silver block looking one under the dash.

 

[MrSwa]

Would an auto parts store have this fuse?

 

[gabe1530]

Yes they will. Bought mine at kragen.

 

[MrSwa]

No dice. Replace the large silver block and a blown 15A under the dash. Still have a delayed dash. Anyone have any idea? I will try and go through each fuse this afternoon to try and find another blown one, but I doesn't act like a blown fuse to me. The dash still works. The car drives fine, it just takes about 15sec to come on after car is started.

 

[cobracide]

Similar issue with an L..

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/2nd-generation-22/288093-trouble-w-guage-cluster-lights.html

 

[WildFifty]

this happens to me every time i start my car. I turn it on, gagues dont move, after a few seconds the gagues just go their running positions. No idea what could be the issue.

 

[MrSwa]

So when I got home my wife tells me I had a headlight out. This was odd because I only had the running lights/fog lights on, the headlight shouldn't be on at all. I was messing the fuses earlier and I had accidentally crossed contacts on #4 and #5. Fixed it, and the headlight went off, and the dash came on with the key. We'll see in the morning if this was a fluke or not.

For those wondering, I'm pretty sure I replaced fuse #34. Something to do with the dash. I'll try and check later.

Here's to hoping this works.