Dash light problems
 

I have a 2002 Buick Century. Sometimes the dash lights up and I can see what gear I'm in and where to shift. Other times its dark. It's erratic and because of the cowling over my dash, it's usually dark, overcast sky or bright sunshine. I placed a black sock over the "sensor" on my dash, but no result. Can I override the sensor somehow and have the lights come on everytime I start the engine. It would be safer for the engine and me. Thanks for your suggestions. Puzzled. Hal (halswatch@sbcglobal.net)

It sounds like you have a bad resistor on your cluster. I had the same problem.. it turned out to be the solder on one of the resistors had cracked, and wasn't making a good connection. I re-soldered it, and it has been perfect since. You might want to replace them completely..new 150ohm 1/4watt resistors at radio shack only cost a couple dollars.

This video has a good explanation of how to fix it.

Thank you for the excellent response to my question. At 85, I don't believe I'll try this myself, but I have a grandson who might help me out. Hal

You're welcome. I'm always glad to help. Good luck with the repair!

Yes, you can override the system by disconnecting the brake light switch and grounding the wire. The PRNDL + odo lights will always be on. HOWEVER, the warning chime (ding, ding, ding) will also be on. That will require lowering the BCM and removing the piezo sensor (chime). HOWEVER, once removed, the chime will not work for; "tour lights are on". "your seatbelt is not on", your parking brake ON light will not be lit. Door/trunk open, etc, etc. NO warnings at all.

My PRNDL light stopped working so I actually opened my dash and pulled out the thing and one of the resistors fell off. When I put it back together with the intention to replace the resistor at a later date thinking that was the problem.. I turned the car on and the PRNDL light worked again. Super weird.