lbs_ft

So here's the issue: my little brother has an automatic 1994 Honda Accord and he does the mature and thing and drives the car like it was intended, all stock, no fart cannon, and so on an so forth.

His gauge lights went out recently, and I've taken it upon myself and the big-brains at VaDriven to find a solution. I did a little research on Google, but I don't like my brother enough to make an account on a fucking Honda forum, so this'll have to do.

His other dash lights work fine, climate control and radio, the gear selector lights on the gauge cluster light up when the headlights are on, as well as the turn signals / high beam lights and all that jazz, they work as well. Headlights, highbeams, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights and license plate lights work fine too. Just not the speedometer, tach, gas gauge, temp gauge, and other completely necessary components.

I checked all the fuses under the driver's side kick panel, they're all good. My dad thought the issue was with something called an ICU that goes behind the kick panel above the fuses, so he dropped money on one from the dealer and I replaced it, but no change.

Anybody have any ideas? I can answer any questions to the best of my abilities, I'm just trying to make sure my brother's car is safe for him to drive at night and I'm trying to save him from taking it to a shop.

Thanks in advance

Fabrik8

So the gauges work fine, and it's just the gauge illumination that's the problem?

Fabrik8

You need to check at the fuse for power with a voltmeter, to see if the problem is before the fuse or after the fuse. A fuse that isn't blown doesn't really tell you much, because a functional circuit shouldn't blow the fuse in the first place. So if it's a poor connection at the cluster connector or something like that, the fuse is going to be perfectly fine.

lbs_ft

Alright, so check incoming power to the fuse, can do.

I thought about that, but usually that circuit contains the gauge lights / brake lights / license plate lights. I'll check it tomorrow and get back to you

Fabrik8

Okay, if you're confident those other circuits are working, move to the gauge cluster connector and see if there is power there. You'll have to use a factory manual or find the pinout online somewhere.

lbs_ft

I know the brake lights / license plate lights are working, but I don't know if they're on the same circuit.

Isn't the connector inside the dash behind the cluster? If so, he might as well take it to a shop because I don't care that much about him hahaha

Fabrik8

Yes, connector is behind the cluster. I'm assuming that the problem is probably isolated to the cluster illumination power, because the other parts of the illumination circuit (climate control, etc) are still working fine.

lbs_ft

you're probably right... maybe one weekend when my cars don't need to be worked on, he can buy me some beer and I'll tear stuff apart.

once again, thanks for the help!

nftuatn

Make sure the dimmer dial is plugged in...its on the panel below the cluster...if its unplugged it won't complete the circuit

nftuatn

You can POP it out with a small pick/screwdriver