Mac:
I had the same problem and it was the actual DIC itself. Took 2 dealers 11 months to replace after Pontiac intervened on my behalf. On the bright side I received a free oil change and transmission service from Pontiac.

I would take it in and have it fixed under warranty. The actual part is hard for even Pontiac to find.

Remove the DIC switch assembly and check the electrical connector firmly secured to the switch. Get a thin bladed screwdriver to gently pry the assembly out of the dash, it will snap out.

Just an update on the DIC panel! Our Mechanic seems to think it may have been shorted out by the detailing person when they detailed the car before we bought it. He felt that if the person sprayed the ArmorAll on the dash itseld and not the cloth then it may have worked its way into the contacts and shorted them out. When on the diag machine they can scroll through the different modes but the buttons will not do the same thing so they ordered a new panel and will hopefully have it fairly soon. To fix the Oil Pressure Gauge it cost me $86 for the part and another $75 for the install...ouch!! Sure wish I knew how to do this stuff myself! Will let you know when the panel comes in and is working again! Thanks,

Mac

<<...sprayed the ArmorAll on the dash itseld and not the cloth...>>

Phooey. I'll bet those DIC buttons work the same way as the Traction Control button on the console. If so those contacts, located under the button, are sealed. Under the plastic button itself, inside the snap-apart unit, is a small plastic spacer. This tiny spacer slips on a shaft molded into the button. When you depress the button this transfers the force through the spacer to a fero-magnetic piece of rubber (kinda like a computer keyboard button works), which in turn, "shorts" (or maybe grounds) two circuit board contact points. Sometimes those little spacers just aren't quite long enough to depress the ferro rubber far enough to make good contact with the points; at least for as long as they should be designed to work. What I did was pull off the little spacer, apply a small dab of superglue to the shaft and then press the spacer back on, making sure not to press it on all the way. This gives a little more "reach" to the shaft. Re-assemble after a few minutes and viola! That'* my guess.

mac077, Have you removed the switch assembly from the dash for a closer look?

Mac...save yourself some bucks, and gain a little knowledge in the process. Do as Mark says and pop that sucker out of there and take a look. It could be something quite simple.

Regarding the oil pressure sensor, if you can change your oil, you can swap out that sensor. Much of the knowledge comes from getting in there and trying things. Get a factory service manual, or sign up at http://www.alldatadiy.com/ for "how tos".

well we now have the '00 SSEi finally back on the road and enjoying the hell out of it!! It went way beyond the DIC panel to the tune of an additional $3,200 for a new transmission!! Owwwwww! Anyway she appears to running just great now...the gas mileage is pretty bad at about 15 mpg in the city so if anyone has any ideas about that please let me know. Will hopefully start some mods soon. 1st on the list is the FWI and clear corners. Anyway, just thought I would update everyone that responded and tried to help. Thanks,

Mac

A new tranny on a 2005?? How many miles do you have??

read before the sentence you just quoted.....its a 00