Gauges going all the way on startup + smoke

This is a classic case of the gauge regulator/ limiter/ IVR going bad. I have not checked lately, RTE does/ did sell an electronic replacement. "If you saw smoke" it is likely that the gauges are toast. You can test them, best done in a mockup situation with a good working IVR in place and resistors to simulate working sensors

67dart273, gauge testing - Google Search

Bench Testing a gauge cluster

This thread may also help but it is old. You will have to click the black icons to bring up the photos

Instrument cluster testing