Speedo and RPM needles jump with key on, no start

[Kalashnikov]

I took my battery out for a little bit while I changed out my front fenders and now when I turn the key on the speedo jumps to about 120mph and the tach to 3500 rpm. When I turn the key the speedo maxes as does the tach I believe and it doesn't crank or anything. Mean while the ODO is moving like crazy since it thinks I'm doing 120mph! The car was fine before I took the battery out. The battery is good, tried 2 different ones. The gauge is around 13 volts. I tried 2 different keys to make sure that had nothing to do with it. It seems the PATS light is flashing as well. I checked fuses and relays and they are all good. I swapped the horn relay around since I know it works. The horn does sound a little funny but I'm not sure if this is due to getting water in it. Everything else works, lights, radio, seats, trunk, etc. I'm thinking maybe a ground somewhere?

[Spectragod]

Bad ground. You had the fenders off, check the grounds by the battery, and more importantly, the grounds on the driver side fender, back by the firewall, make sure they are all hooked up and tight.

[Kalashnikov]

Well, I'm an idiot. I completely forgot about the driver's side fender grounds. Looked in the pile of hardware and sure enough there is 1 ground bolt in there and the 2 grounds are lying next to the hood light connector. I should've finished putting it back together and see what hardware was left over before I tried to start it.

Thank you very much for the fast reply! Saved the rest of my day.

[Spectragod]

Glad to help, happy Maraudering....:burnout: