Someone help please! I have a 2002 Accord sedan and the dash lights do not come up. If my headlights are off or on. I have checked all fuses, bulbs, relays, dimmer switch, I've gone as far as removing the cluster and placing in a friends car who has exact same make and model and it all lights up perfectly in his vehicle. I did install my own head unit but I've checked all the wiring and everything is wired correctly no wires are touch or anything like that. My headlights, taillights, and brake lights all function properly and my gauges all work speedometer temperature gauge rpm everything it just doesn't light up which is kind of a problem when I drive at night. All other threads I've read say it's fuses but I have checked all of the above I've also had a stereo installation shop check it out dude said it wasn't anything that he could solve and last person who looked at it said possibly needs to be grounded somewhere just don't know where..... can someone help me please! Thanks

 

There are numerous wires going through the radio area for various things. If you have it removed you can trace the wire harness from the back of the cluster and possibly locate the open wire. Double check and then triple check everything where the head unit installs, make sure you didnt rip any wires from grounds etc. If thats where your issue started its more than likely where you'll find it.

 

If you have the 2.3 engine it appears the green/orange wire going from the drivers fuse box to the drivers door switch is what you need to inspect for damage or issues. This is the wire that powers the 6 bulbs in the cluster. The (door switch) as the diagram calls it may be the culprit as well. Please check and advise

 

for the 2.3l engine^ for the 3.0 its entirely different and appears to be tied into the right turn signal. If you remove and re connect your hazard signal button or even swap it with a buddies to see if it works I have seen the issue before where turn signals malfunction due to the hazard button and I believe on this model it had to be removed to install the head unit. Thats the only other thing I can think of in the area that could create a concern.

 

thanks i will give that a try this weekend and let you know if thats what it is. again thank you

 

i have the 2.3 engine, this wire is it directly behind the drivers fuse box?

 

Yep I believe it is according to the diagram

 

Do you know the name of the wire or diagram a should refer to because I'm not all that great at stuff like this and would hate to make matters worse. Only reason why I don't take it to a shop is because I've called around and for them to do a electrical diagnostics it's $80+ an hour and kinda can't afford that right now. Thanks

 

Green and orange wire coming from the back of the fuse box should be what you're looking for. It goes from the fuse box to the control switch. But I bet that wire doesn't actually cross near the radio stuff. You just want the wiring diagram for the dash for your vehicle

 

alright so i took my dash apart this removed the cluster and stereo checked all wires running from stereo to cluster area and was not able to find any damaged wires, also checked driver side fuse box and was not able to find the green&orange wire that i was supposed to be looking for, i am not great at looking at diagrams all the ones i seen online were mostly for the stereo wiring and they all looked like chicken scratch to me, would you know where i can find a diagram that would show this wire so i can properly check it? thanks

 

What is the background info on the car......nothing was done and the lights just stopped.

Or, after installing an aftermarket radio the lights stopped working.

Or, I bought the car recently and the lights have never worked.

These are pretty well known for blowing the MICU if someone messes with the radio without knowing what they are doing. There are several posts around where you can jump a wire or two to see if the dash lights come on, confirming the MICU is blown. Your choice to leave the jumper in or replace the unit.

 

I bought the car and honestly never paid attention if the dash lit up or not because I never drove at night, I installed an aftermarket stereo my first time doing by myself but I was careful and took my time. A few weeks later I ended up having to drive at night and that's when I realized that the cluster didn't light up. So idk if it is the MICU but I'll see if I can find one of those posts to test and see if that's the problem. You mentioned I can leave the jumper in, do you how long I would be able to leave it like that before it caused any problems and how soon would the MICU need to be replaced if that's what it is? Thanks

 

What did you do with the ORG wire on the radio when you installed the aftermarket?

Some have put the jumper in and never had an issue years later.

One of the many how to's out there, youtube.com/watch?v=oOHwDWjmYWU

Not a direct link as I'm not sure how that "plays" with the rules here.

 

I just wrapped it up with electrical tape. I actually just found a thread showing a way to check and see if it the Multiplex Control Unit and the cluster lit right up so apparently that's what it is going to have to see where I can get a new or good used one to replace! Would it be best to buy new one or get from from a salvage yard or used off ebay...? Recommendations?

 

Glad you got the right help man!^

 

Me, I'd put the jumper in and call it a day?

Some years down the road if there are other issues that lead towards the MICU, then I'd hit up a few bone yards or look on "www dot car-part dot com" to see if any local yards have the part needed.

Don't take this the wrong way, the "jumper fix" will outlast the auto trans in these (unless a quality rebuild was/is done)......not sure if you have an auto or manual.