Pared down version:

Instrument panel quit working a week ago. When that happened, my once squeaky brakes worked just fine, not squeak and very sensitive (would stop almost as soon as they were pressed). I just went to go start the car and the panel acted normally but now the car will not start. It sounds like a machine gun when I try to turn it over. Could it be a starter issue? Bad connections somewhere? I checked the connections and all of the fuses. They all look good. What now?

. Remove and fully charge, or replace, the battery.

. Check the ignition switch for wear, pitting, or melting.

Thank you. I thought that it might be the battery but I will check the ignition switch as well and post results.

One other thing to check... all of the battery connections. Battery, ground to engine block and frame, connections on starter. Here in the Northeast, this is a given when ever there are electrical problems.

I just checked the battery with my volt meter and read 11 volts. The terminals are not corroded as they have covers and liberal quantities of grease on the connections. I trace the conections back to those points previously mentioned and all seemed secure. We'll see...

11 volts means either the battery is bad and/or the alternator is not charging it properly. Have you attempted a jump start? If you can get it running with a jump start, then check the voltage across the battery. If it is still low or below 12 volts, the alternator is not charging and needs to be rebuilt or replaced. If it reads 13.5 to 14.6 volts, the alternator is OK and the battery is bad.