Electrical short after re-installing instrument cluster

Removed the instrument cluster and carefully repaired some small issues with the board and put in a diff/used fuel gauge. Carefully re-installed cluster/dash and now I have a short in the system. When I hook up the battery it sparks and sizzles, no lights no ign. I loosened the dash/cluster and with everything disconnected in the cluster EXCEPT the Red and Black wires I still have a short. I grounded the cluster and still a short. With the Red and Black wires disconnected the battery does not spark and the Red wire has power. Was fine before and this makes no sense. Any ideas?
Is the fuel gauge also the 5 volt limiter on your car?
And when you say Red and Black wires, is that the wires that attach to the amp meter?
Perhaps the short is in one of the accessory feed. Try pulling all the fuses, then re installing one by one.