All gauges will stopping working?

While driving the vehicle the following will intermittently occur: All lights on the instrument panel will illuminate, all gauges will stopping working, however both the tachometer and speedometer continue to operate normally. There are no adverse effects upon drivability. Occurrences are very random, it could happen every day or go for a week or more without an occurrence. The duration is also very random, it could last for a few seconds, a few minutes or the entire day. The advent of cold weather does not seem to have any effect upon its frequency.

I have run the codes and vehicle has no active nor stored codes. I have also checked Fuse No. 24 which powers the panel, fuse and its socket are clean and bright with no signs of any corrosion. I am not sure where the panel is grounded so I have not checked the ground.

It is my understanding that many GM vehicles of this vintage had problems with instrument panels due to cracked solder joints and this may be our problem. There are many on EBAY offering rebuild services for this vintage GM panels.

I would like your thoughts on this issue and also location of panel ground so I check it.

Thank you in advance for your reply!