Shift Indicator and Daytime Running Lights

My wife drives a 2000 Blazer LS 4WD. I have an odd issue that I cannot seem to figure out. This truck has an automatic transmission with a column shifter. Occasionally, the digital read out disappears and she cannot see which gear she is in. When this happens, she can still see the "PRND12" above the steering column, but no indicator to tell her where she is on the transmission. We could deal with this as an odd occurrence, but, when the shift indicator does not work, the daytime running lights do not work. When the shift indicator is working, the daytime running lights work. NO OTHER LIGHTS OR INDICATORS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ODDITY!
The odd thing about this is that it is intermittent. The indicator and DRL's may work for days, weeks, or even months. Then they will go out for days, weeks, or even months. Temperature, humidity, or other types of weather seem to have no bearing on these lights.
This vehicle was purchased from a family member. This family member had this problem "fixed" by a mechanic several times. (This is also the same mechanic that installed the 4WD transfer switch wrong when he replaced the transmission 3 years ago! That problem was corrected at the local dealership rather inexpensively:p!) I do not have the funds to go to the dealer this time and my state requires that DRL's work if they are on the vehicle. It may not pass inspection next month if I do not get them working correctly. Any help would be appreciated!