Rep Power: 0

I have a 2003 Civic EX and the gauges and dashboard flickers on and off constantly, its very random when it happens but basically it will completely turn on and off and everything will either work such as (speedometer, gas gauge, ect.) or completely not work. I was told I would have to pay $120 to just find out what is wrong with it if I take it in, so I thought I could come here to possibly find out for free. Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 518

Found a thing for gauge needles bouncing around and odometer displays jibberish (battery disconnect and touch cables together), but nothing about completely turning off or flickering.

Got a service manual? Got an HDS or equivalent scan tool? Run the gauge cluster self tests, see if anything comes up there. Maybe check powers and grounds for the cluster, and check the B-CAN network communication status, PCM, and multiplex units.

 
Rep Power: 256

id start by making sure the battery terminals are tightened down properly and not loose.

 
Rep Power: 234

Gauge cluster self-diagnostic: http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2908290 If it doesn't go into diagnostic mode the first time try it a couple more times. It took me 3-4 tries to get it to go into the self-diagnostic.

 
Rep Power: 188

In the future can you use a more productive title..like "help guage cluster issue" or something like that.. just puting "Need help...." does not always yeild as many responses.

 
Rep Power: 518

Ya, most of us need mental help so we just skip over that title.

 
Rep Power: 0

sorry man, im just a complete dumbass when it comes to cars, i didnt even know it was called a gauge cluster...... anyways, someone at autolube told me it was a problem with the chip?

 
Rep Power: 234

What chip? The only "chip" in the car is the computer chip in the ECM/PCM (master computer).

Look, you either have a bad ground, a bad multiplex unit (built into the under-dash fusebox), or a bad ECM/PCM.

Open the hood and look at the ground strap going from the engine block to the radiator support, you can't miss it. Replace it if it looks frayed or corroded. Also make sure that there's clean, bare metal under the bolt. Wouldn't hurt to put dialectic grease (electrical grease) under the bolt either. There are also grounds under each headlight. You have to remove the inner fender to access them.

 
Rep Power: 518

THERE'S YOUR PROBLEM!

Anyone working at an oil change place is not someone to listen to for serious car advice. Real technical talent isn't going to be found working at an oil change place. Same goes for finding talent in the Wally World auto center. Not happening.

Or wiring. Or something else.
Or a bad cluster. Mileage will have to be programmed into the odometer if that has to happen.

OP: Just take it to a dealer. Ask for their rocket scientist to fix it. Pay up when it is fixed.