Dodge Repair: 2001 Dodge Dakota - Instrument Cluster, dodge dakota sport, electronic circuit board

Question
Hello!

I have a 2001 dodge Dakota sport, 4.7L V8 Quad Cab.  I noticed that the check engine light doesn't light up on the instrument cluster panel during start-up?  All the other lights come-on a start-up and then go off?  I had it check by my mechanic and said its probably just the light bulb and needs to be replaced?  I was also getting a the code PO455 (Evap Emission System Leak) and the only way to clear the code is to get the check engine light to come-on?  I can't pass inspection w/ this code in NY.  so I took the truck to a local Dodge Dealer (Big Mistake) and they told me that I need to replace the entire cluster?  Even though all the other lights are working, it still needs to be replaced?  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  I think its a lot  of crap if you ask me?

Thanks
Mike

Answer
need a new cluster

DESCRIPTION
A Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. The MIL is located in the Information Center area of the instrument cluster, to the left of center. The MIL consists of a stencil-like cutout of the International Control and Display Symbol icon for “Engine” in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. An amber Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear in amber through the translucent outer layer of the overlay when the indicator is illuminated from behind by the LED, which is soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The MIL is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.