Cruise control, AC and Gear Indicator Light not working

[jrterry1976]

When I crank the car, the indicator light for what gear (automatic tranny) does not light, the AC will not work (air blows, not cool, compressor not on) and the cruise control "set" button will not come on and engage while driving(on/off cruise light does light). This car is a 2004 Accord EX-L w/navi with about 84kmi. The indicator light for the gear will light in ingnition position 2, but not when cranked. I have searched the net looking for a similar problem, but have not found very many and none of those had answers. Occasionally, when I crank it they will all work. With each day it consistently does not work more often than not. I need to find someone that has had this problem, b/c I know as soon as I take it to the dealer, it will work that day.

[Accord1234]

When you car runs there is no light to show what gear your in?

[creator1322]

I had similar problems...

the battery needed to be replaced. it was dead.

[jrterry1976]

Yes- the car runs normally but the lights beside P D N R do not light up and the cruise will not engage and the AC will not come on.

I did read on another site that the battery might be the problem. It does sound a little weak upon starting and has for some time (2 yrs), but I put the battery charger on it and it read 100% off the bat. Seems weird that the low battery would cause some systems to not work and other random systems work.

In any case, I will get the battery tested tomorrow. I hope that is it, it will be the easiest solution and save me a full day ordeal at the dealer.

[creator1322]

yeah....my battery tested fine at one place and really bad somewhere else.

Anyways, I had no idea the battery could cause that. But I know for a fact it was my issue.

Good luck!

[bauhaus83]

My car, a 2004 accord V6 EX, has the same intermittent problem -- AC, cuise, PRNDL lights sometimes don't work. So far it always works next time I turn the car on. I see that changing the new battery worked for you -- I wanted to make sure that it is still working. I only ask because I read somewhere else that a faulty ignition switch could cause the same problem.

[BLKFLSH]

I had the same issues P light on the gage cluster would not light up, the A/C would blow but not cold (lights would not come on either). Went through the diagnostics in the service manual, and it said to check the battery first. Went to AutoZone, they tested the battery with a Bear tester (Honda recommended) and they said the battery was bad. Changed the battery, and after about 15,000 miles, the issue has never happened again.

This will either be a battery issue, or the Multiplex Integrated Control Unit, which is part of the under dash fuse box. If you short the self diagnostic connection at the top of the under dash fuse box, the codes will display in the odometer display. It took me forever to go through all the procedures, just to find out I had a weak battery. If I were you, I would purchase a battery that is at least as strong as the original. I'm thinking about an Optima next, because I've noticed that the starter is already starting to turn over slower than it did when the battery was new. IMO, this car needs all the power you can give it.

[bauhaus83]

BlackFish: thanks so much for your help. It sounds like this has been the solution for a lot of people, and like you said, it's going to be easier and cheaper to test/replace the battery than the MICU. Optima are the higher performance/lighter weight batteries correct?

[BLKFLSH]

Yes, Optima's are expensive, they are the ones that look like a six-pack of tall ones. I think the Yellow top Optima's are the ones we would need. Whatever you do, don't go to the dealership and pay $100 for a battery that's no stronger than the one I got from Sam's club for $45. Good luck, and Happy Hondaing