Dave,
I never had a transmission error code that I can think of. As far as the power light blinking: they (power & manual lights) happened to be part of the connector that had the problem so they also did not work. Strange thing is that the dealer said the power/manual switch worked even though the lights didn't. The lights now work fine since fixing the connector.
To remove the instrument panel first remove the bezel around the panel. You have to pop out the air vent to the left of the steering wheel and center of dash (pry out with knife or sharp instrument). Next pop out the power mirror switch (the whole unit as one) and rear defrost/cruise switches (again as one unit). Pop out switch or blank panel to right of steering wheel (I'm not sure if you have something there but mine is blank). Next pull drink holder all the way out. Comes out like an ashtray. Behind all those items you pulled out are screws holding the bezel. There are also two screws above instruments and two above climate controls. All told there should be eleven screws.
Now you have to fish bezel out and over steering wheel. Have fun. When you get it partially out, disconnect the hazard switch.
Once that is out of the way, there will be four screws holding on the instrument panel. remove those and the panel will be loose. The only thing keeping you from gaining access to the back of the panel is the speedo cable. Slide that off and it should pull out far enough to see the back of it.
If it means anything, the connectors I had problems with are top center.
I hope you find your problem. I know how you feel. I've owned this car for four years and I rectified this problem just a month ago. It seemed to bother me more in the winter than during the fair weather months.
Good luck.