good news guys ! the answer was my buddy didn't have the VR plugged in [the wire was just hanging there] and one of the gauges was plugged into the VR input spade.
all works as it should now.
diagnosing by phone is super tough when you aren't sure [or in my case, can't REMEMBER........ ] what the layout is.
the pics provided helped me TREMENDOUSLY, and i was able to guide my buddy in what to look for that he may have missed. i couldn't have done this without you guys !

i too, am keeping the pics for future reference !