attempting to take out the instrument cluster

You can bench test the panel if you can follow the printed circuit board copper trace. Determine which pin feeds which component and test individually. You'll need a battery and a multimeter,
One red wire with 2 aligator clips and an inline fuse,
One black wire with 2 aligator clips ( this one will remain in a chassis ground position throughout testing )
One blue wire with 2 aligators clips.