717DC

Hello I recently picked up a 92 civic and it has a frustrating issue of the dash lights not working. I replaced the dimmer switch and the headlight switch both with no luck. I have researched this topic and only found it to be three possibilities the headlight switch, the dimmer and the dash wiring. I have a friend with a dash harness that came from a car with working dash lights, so I was going to pick it up and replace mine with that. But before I do is there anyone who think it might be something else? Also previous owner said they went out shortly after best buy installed the radio.

Former User

Is the problem both the cluster lights and dash lights (heater control panel)?

Have you checked for a blown fuse 19?

717DC

Yes, the clock and radio work its just the cluster and climate control. And I'm currently at work, so I can't see the car to see what fuse 19 is. If its the fuse that's for the license plate lights and the dash lights, I have checked it.

Former User

Do the clock and radio lights brighten and dim when the dimmer switch is dialed to different positions?

717DC

No they do not.

Former User

Unplug the dimmer switch. Does the black wire have continuity to body ground? With the parking lights on, does the Red/Blk wire have battery voltage to body ground?

717DC

I will check that on friday when im off. I forgot to mention that certain times i use the turn signal the clock will flicker and get bright for a split second. Any ideas?

Raven_1

My dash and climate control cluster lights some times flicker then the climate control does not light back up but the dash lights come back on. Keep me posted on any progress. I rechecked wiring and fuses with no luck.

717DC

Just checked all the wires they are all good but when i pulled off the switch i found this.


It appears that the ground wire was burnt up at one point in time. Is it a possibility there was a short and 2 wires melted together in the dash harness at one point?

virgineg6

Definite possibility, but the others wires dont look damaged (from what i can see anyway) and that is a ground wire so shorting to gnd at that burned spot wouldnt cause any problems. Does the defroster switch light up?

virgineg6

Hazard light, light up?

Former User

Get a multimeter and do this:
Also jump the red wire to the black wire in the connector - do the cluster lights now work?

717DC

YESS!!! Now i have lights after jumping the black and red wire.

Former User

If the Red/Black wire has voltage, then replacing the dimmer switch should fix the problem.

The radio and clock back lights must be wired to a different circuit, which strays from stock. You may want to bring that wiring back to stock.

717DC

The clock, and gauges work but i still dont have climate control lights.

Former User

Do the radio and clock have back lights. Do they work.

Check the Red and Red/Blk wires behind the climate control.

virgineg6

The lights burn out on the climate control, check for power at the climate control. If that checks good the the bulbs are burned.

DarkEG

I have an issue with my cluster backlight not working. My climate control lights are working though. I jumped the red and black wires and still only my climate control lights are working, i've also checked out the bulbs behind the cluster and they look fine. Any thoughts?

sohc-monster

I have a similar issue with my climate control lights just replaced the bulbs and still nothing all other lights work fine any suggestions?

Former User

Using a multimeter, check whether voltage reaches the red wire and Red/Blk wire in the cluster connector.

@imraging

I'm having the same problem. and i shorted out the red wire thats on the left with the black in the middle and it blew the fuse. I replaced the fuse and still the lights dont work.

Former User

Start here --> Check for a short in the Red/Blk wire at the rear of the radio.

@imraging

I got a aftermarket radio, and no its not shorted out.

Former User

How do you know?

@imraging

Because i checked..............