Cluster lamps all go off when turn on headlights?

WATCH LIGHTS FADE

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2002 HONDA CRV
2.4L
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
206,000 MILES

I bought this vehicle, and it had some problems like oil leaks and some electrical. There was no radio, and I could see splicing done. I really can’t remember if the cluster lamps worked in the first place, I only drove during the daytime. Replaced lamps on cluster, turned on headlights, cluster back light goes off, the permanent hard-wired ones are not affected. I checked fuses all good. I see this problem in all sorts of blogs and not just Hondas.
Hope you can help.
J K

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,702 POSTS

So, it sounds like the brightness adjustment for the cluster is all the way down. Can you check it please? The adjustment is part of the headlight switch. Please let me know.

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Monday, January 23rd, 2023 AT 10:29 AM

WATCH LIGHTS FADE

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Hi Ken, thanks for responding. No, it’s not the adjust knob, also trip knob doesn’t do anything either. I’ve noticed the HVAC lamps are out too. I replaced the combination headlights controller because I could hear a relay click when turning the lights on, maybe a ground issue? I thought the cluster itself was bad, but I’m not sure. And something new showed up on my scanner, something about the gear selector being in between drive and another gear. Checked when park it’s in park and so on. Thanks

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 AT 3:16 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,702 POSTS

There is a CPU inside the instrument cluster that sounds like it is out, you can get a rebuilt cluster by searching google or eBay but I would check the fuse # 2 in the under hood fuse panel, here is a wiring diagram for the lighting system for the cluster in the images below and how to change out the cluster. Please let us know what you find.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Thursday, January 26th, 2023 AT 4:25 PM

WATCH LIGHTS FADE

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Hi Ken, thanks for responding, I’m going to send it to a repair place, rebuild for $100.00.
I still have an electrical problem that could be related, I replaced the combination switch that turned on headlights and replaced the bulbs, left was out.
Worked good for a few on and offs but the next day blew the normal out on both of them, the high beams work good.
Something to do with VDC leaving the combo switch to power the dash and headlights.
I still have the cluster plugged in.
Thanks much, JK

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Friday, January 27th, 2023 AT 12:57 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,702 POSTS

Yes, the cluster may cause this issue. Let me know if all of the problems are fixed with the new cluster. If it fixed the original problem please start a new question for the remaining issues.