I hate to argue. However, on these cars, the starter will NOT engage without Drive Authorization. That comes from the ECU accepting the key from SKREEM and the CAN message from TCU (which is derived from a message from SLA to TCU) that the car is in P/N. You need both of those to authorize the starter. Now, it is possible to jump the starter and get the engine to run. The engine WILL run without the TCU portion, but it will not authorize the starter without it. The solid block in the instrument cluster can indicate either a SLA or TCU issue. This is why you really need the codes to understand the root of the problem, and not just throw parts at it until something works.

FWIW, if the car was a manual, it would be SCN coded as such in the ECU, which would pass on to the instrument cluster that there is no gear indication. That block would then be blank. Since it is black, the ECU *is* coded to be an automatic. The ECU is not receiving a gear position status, so it reports as blank. Most typically, this is a manifestation of a failed RCM, which does not power up the TCU. In your case, it could be no power/ground to the TCU and/or SLA, no comms to the TCU and/or the SLA, or a failed SLA or TCU.

At this point, you have only a few options, without proper diagnostic tools. First, I would dive into the wiring diagrams, and verify that I have power AND ground at the appropriate pins for the TCU and the SLA. After that, I would ring out the CAN bus wiring from SLA to TCU and to the ECU (it will all be on the same pair of wires). Be sure that if you do have continuity that none of the wires are shorted together or to ground. If you verify all of those things, then I would suspect a failed TCU and/or SLA. Knowing which one before buying parts would require the Micropod or SDS.