Transmission gear indicator not visible

[Rickoff]

Just bought a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE and realize that the P-R-N-D shift indicator is not visible.  According to the manual, this should be seen just below the speedometer, as in the diagram below. Has anyone else noticed this problem, and if so then what was necessary to resolve this issue?  I'm assuming that the readout is supposed to be a digital display rather than an actual indicator like you would see on older vehicles that had automatic transmissions.  Too bad they didn't keep things that way. 

 

Also, every time I start the truck the Driver Information Center (DIC) display (item H in the below diagram) says to "Check Engine Oil,"  and this occurs even though the oil level is full and oil pressure is reading 40 psi.  Any ideas on that, or should I assume a low-oil sensor is faulty?  It doesn't show up as a problem on my OBDII code reader.

Edited May 30, 2022 by Rickoff

[shakenfake]

Sounds like your cluster needs a rebuild

[Rickoff]

2 hours ago, shakenfake said:

Sounds like your cluster needs a rebuild

Are you suggesting that a cluster rebuild kit is available?

[shakenfake]

No I am suggesting you need to send it in to someone to get rebuilt.

[Rickoff]

59 minutes ago, shakenfake said:

No I am suggesting you need to send it in to someone to get rebuilt.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'd prefer to repair it myself.  I just wondered if others on this forum had run into the same problems that I mentioned.  I took a look on YouTube, and found several videos regarding the PRND fix, and they all showed that this problem is usually repairable by simply reflowing certain solder joints on the cluster's circuit board.  Here's one such example, for anyone interested and experiencing this problem: 

  

[Rickoff]

As to the second problem (check engine oil warning when oil level and pressure is fine) it would appear that this is most likely due to a faulty oil level sensor.  If the sensor's wiring connector checks okay then I'll replace the sensor at next oil change.

[Rickoff]

The repair, as suggested in the above YouTube video, was easy and worked out fine.  The PRND123 display now works as it should.  The group of 7 resistors, seen just above the "Play" icon for the above video, tend to run hot enough to melt their solder joints, which eventually leaves a gap, thus disabling the circuit.  BTW, I found another video which shows the same repair technique, but also shows how to remove the instrument cluster from the dashboard, so I'll drop that here.

 

[shakenfake]

Fantastic. Didn't know what kind of skill set you had hence why I did not suggest doing it yourself

[richard wysong]

i will give it a try when I have a chance as my 04 has the same issue. thanks for the research and info!

[KevinRC]

For what it is worth, I too had the same problem and saw the same video on YouTube.

 

While re-flowing the solder is not difficult, I bailed and bought a new one for $170.

 

The taking apart of the cluster and making sure you tape the gauges and don't accidentally hit the gears, etc etc. was the ONLY reason that I did not attempt it. Well that and last I checked was only 24 hours in a day and I have so much work to do on my 2005 Silverado 1500 with 200K on her. Mechanically in great shape, body rust is a nightmare!

 

1/2 hour and change out was complete.

 

 

[Rickoff]

Oh, that's too bad it had to cost you $170, KevinRC.  The whole job, start to finish, took me only a matter of minutes - about 15 or so and was well worth the savings realized.   Yes, body and frame rust truly is a nightmare on GM trucks.

[KevinRC]

15 minutes eh?

[KevinRC]

I was not even able to replace a new cluster in that amount of time,  you go girl!

[Rickoff]

Yes, Kevin, no kidding.  After watching the video, I prepared for the job before diving into it and everything went well and very quickly.  Definitely no more than 20 minutes at most.

[KevinRC]

Oh so now 20 minutes.