how many miles are you on your neon? my old 97 had 140k and didnt have that issue
one possible solution:
Remove the instrument cluster, and pull out the connector that is clipped to the car. Clean the pins mercilessly, and re-install connector.
Now with cluster in hand, clean pins, but do nothing to reduce their circumference or length, such as rubbing or sanding. Bend as many as you can so that the cluster will be tight as you guide it back onto the stationary female end as previously discussed