99 ZR2 no power to gauges

[dmack91]

OK, so my son's fuel pump went out. Ordered a new one and went to move the truck into the garage today (hoped it would start one last time to move it into the garage if I hit the bottom of the tank - no dice)

Now I see that the gauges and warning lights on the dash don't come on when the key is turned on. It will crank, but shows no movement on the gauges. I pulled the gauge fuse, and it shows no power when the key is turned on. All the lights (head, park, and brake) work, and the engine cranks. Battery is at 12.5v static.

Engine is 4.3 and auto trans with floor shift.

It wouldn't shift out of park either (yes, key was on and brake depressed). I was able to bypass the lock-out, put it in neutral, and get it into the garage finally. I can see where the lock button moves a metal piece through the center of the shifter, but nothing sticks out to disengage the lockout (plastic) switch. I will disassemble the console tomorrow to try to see what is missing or out of alignment.

Lifted the bed off and will change out the fuel pump/sender tomorrow. I don't know where to start on the gauge problem. Is there a lockout switch that could be malfunctioning? The brake lights work, so I am assuming that switch isn't causing the problem.

Any help would be appreciated.