Dimmer light for mileage

I can see the lights for the MHP and every other thing on the dash of my 2001 Buick Centry, but I cannot see the milage digets. They at one time use to come on when they wanted to, but now - they never come on. Dealer says I have to replace some system in the dash which controls all dash lights.
There had been times I tapped the trip knob and it came on - anybody know about this type of problem?:shakehead

Thanks
1ace (stan was already taken)

Welcome to AF.

There is a known issue in Century and Regal instrument panels (IP). Cold solder joints or resistors breaking down causing the dimming or no display of the odometer. Basically an internal IP problem.