I'm about to get this looked at soon, but still want to describe the issue here. There is no obvious issue with how the car drives nor am I experiencing any noticeable problem switching gears. However, the shift lever position indicator began blinking on my instrument panel a few weeks ago (It resembles the "D" and "N" for drive and neutral combined). Since there didn't seem to be any issue with the driving quality or indications of a problem, I kind of just stopped paying attention to it.

But then one morning, I entered the vehicle and noticed a very strange smell. It was a burning odor but also different, so much so that I can't explain it. The odor seemed to disperse as I drove the vehicle for a few minutes. Until the next morning, which was the same story. It's been like this for 3 days now and I'm thinking it has something to do with that shift lever indicator blinking in my instrument panel. It must be the transmission, right? I'm pretty auto-ignorant. Anybody know what's happening before I take her in?