Hi! A friend just gave me a '93 Civic DX 4 door after he was in an accident with it. Back trunk lid and driver's side bumper are pushed forward a little, so the trunk doesn't latch, I'll see if taking a sledge to the inside of the trunk will help any.

Took it for my first drive, and - darkness. I couldn't see how fast I was going, or how to turn on the heat. No dash lights. Since I'm pretty sure I have taillights, I'm guessing this means the dimmer switch is bad. Is it common for these to go? Can I just take it apart and clean it and get it working again? How does it come out? Once I get it out, I can test it by shorting across it, correct?

So I'm downloading a shop manual right now, I hope that shows how this switch comes out (but doubt it...)

Last week I took the window switch out of a Toyota door, and broke a plastic clip on the switch panel. Now the switches are loose in there. That's why I'd rather know how the switch is in there beforehand, I don't want to break any old brittle plastic.

Thanks, everyone! I just found this place, and it's already been a HUGE help!

 

Well, I pulled the dimmer switch, it's got electronics inside, and a 3 contact plug. I tried to clean the rotary "rheostat" portion of the switch the best I could, then put it back together - nothing. Can anyone tell me what the 3 contacts on the switch are to? I'd like to figure out which 2 should be shorted across to bypass the dimmer and just have full-brightness dash lights - if indeed it is the switch that is causing this problem.

I guess I need to locate my voltmeter and see if there's voltage at the switch plug, for starters. Ugh. I can never find my tools when I need them.

 

I have a 2000 Acura EL, and the dimmer sounds the same.

If dimming your dash lights is important to you, buy a replacememt from the dealer. Trying to fix this with Radio Shack parts won't get you far without headaches.

To bypass, disconnect the plug from the switch and short the center BLACK wire with the RED wire (NOT THE RED/BLACK). If you mix em up get ready to replace the fuse. Make sure there are no exposed wires and leave the plug freely in the dash without connecting the plug back to the switch. The switch can remain in the dash for aesthetic purposes or course.

If this doesn't work, your problem lies deeper than the dimmer switch. With your lights on, both RED and RED/BLACK wires should be 12V+. If they aren't... well... hopefully another user may have greater experience in that area.

 

Thanks for this tip! Works great without the switch

 

My 2000 Acura EL insrument dimmer switch is flaky..sometimes on, sometimes off..a good tap will usually bring it back but I'd just like to bypass it. I looked at the wires for my switch and it's red/silver, black and another red/silver. Any idea how I can bypass and just leave lights on bright?
Replacement here in Canada is $150 list..I see on ebay US a few civic dimmers that I considered buying to see if they'd fit ..but I'd rather just bypass...
Thanks!

 

I did this and now my taillights and fog lights don't work on integra