I recently installed a new Alpine stereo in my daughters 98 Accord and now the dash board lights are not working. Door open and all other instrument notification lights work, just not the back light on the instrument panel. They all worked fine before i put in the new radio. I also tried putting the factory radio back in and still no dashboard lights. All tail/brake lights work fine, all fuses fine in both panels? Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Two fuses can effect the dash illumination circuit.
Tail lamp Fuse
Dash Illumination fuse

Check that your tail lamps illuminate. If they do, check the dash fuse.
If they don't ......

P

 

Ok, so I've checked all the fuses again and they're all fine. Is there a relay for the instrument cluster/dash lights? Also, the light for the clock, which sits above the A/C controls, lights up until you turn the lights on, then the clock light turns off. I am at a loss.

 

sounds like you blew out the drivers side multiplex unit.

 

X2 probably burnt out the dimmer circuit.

 

Did someone inadvertently do something so simple as to turn the dimmer control all the way off?

P

 

that's what I thought when she called and told me it didn't work, but I've turned it both ways numberous times with no luck. I will check the fuses one more time tomorrow, but I've already checked them all about 5 times, so I don't think that's gonna be the problem. Anyone know how much the multiplexer is and what exactly and where is that?

 

Did you use an install harness? Or did you splice into the original harness?

 

I used a plug and play harness that I purchased from best buy. I'm guessing something happened when I hooked up the dimmer or illumination wire. Probably blew the dimmer control.

 

Last time I checked it was around $115. It's mounted on the side of the drivers side fuse box/panel. It's a real PITA to get to.

 

could the problem possibly be with one of the two light package relays under the hood?

 

As mentioned previously, you most likely blown the driver's side multiplexer (i.e., a component of the multiplexer is blown).

It is kind of expensive from the dealer, so try to hit up a salvage yard for the driver's side multiplexer if costs is a concern.

 

Here is a thread regarding the multiplexer replacement.

http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/ac...help-swap.html