I dont have access to an 88 bonneville sse cluster though

i was able to get one at my local junk yard. the clusters are the same 88-91 on SSE bonnevilles.

so i havent been able to get the DIC and Compass still do not work. anyone know how I fix this plastic wiring strip that was mentioned earlier, just replace the wires?

I have to find a repair manual for my car as I have no idea how to take the instrument panel apart

there are directions to removing the cluster in techinfo. the strip is a paper thin peice of plastic that has tiny pieces of copper(i think) that runs inside the plastic. i dont know how you would fix it at all. maybe with some jumper wires if you can accually see a break in any of the strips.

are you using an after market wire harness adapter ? or did you cut the clip off the radios wires harness and try to connect the wires your self.?

get a tester and check the wire as far as you can all the way to the fuse panel under the steering wheel.. could very well be a ground issue that you caused if you did not disconnect the battery before swapping radios..