Try a 3rd cluster if you have easy access to one (someone has the same car) to see what happens. Also, check the code with the new cluster and see if you engine's throwing one.

Does the CEL light on the old cluster come on when the car is first strated. It should come on for about 5 seconds then go off just to check that the light works. It's possible the lights been burned out and you've had a CEL all this time and didn't know (possible but unlikely but weirder things have happened). Seeya.