Just the act of moving around the instrument cluster cause one of the bullet connectors to become flaky, and the instrument backlighting is now off. It comes back on as long as I press on the connector.
Fixing the connectors the right way would cost me almost $300.
(
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELPHI-WEATH...1491ee&vxp=mtr)
Since I can't really pony up for the kit at the moment, going to proceed with the original plan, but replace all the bullet connectors.