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I bought my 97 Civic coupe Ex 200,000 about a year ago. The a/c cluster light has never worked since I have bought it. But this week it came on for a minute or two. Once I changed the fan speed setting it immediatly turned off. During that same trip I noticed that my green D4 light next to the speedometer wasn't working (All of the other ones work). Over the next few days the D4 light came on and off for no apparent reason. Then last night the speedometer/ tach lights, D4 light, and lights by the shifter all turned off. I checked the fuse and it was blown. I replaced the fuse but it instantly blew again when I turned on the headlights. I read around and maybe the brightness switch to the left of the steering wheel? But I'm not sure whether or not that would cause the fuse to continually blow. Any suggestions?
Thanks

PS- all headlights, breaklights, blinkers, and dome light are all fully working

 
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Are you referring to the lighting inside of the hvac controls? There are 2 bulbs inside the unit itself, prob 1 or 2 are bad. As for the D4, mine is out too or goes on an off at random times, that is a bulb as well that is going bad. I am not sure if that is connected to the brightness controls. My theory is it is not a fuse since it will work sometimes, if it was fuse it will not work until the fuse is replaced.

 
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The hvac control lights are the ones that never have worked as long as I've had it. The bulbs can't be burnt out because they came on for the first time for what ever reason the other day. The lights that illuminate the speedometer, tach, gas gauge, etc went out as well as the hazard light button, rear defroster button, and lights next to shifter. Fuse 30 blew out twice. I would just find it a huge coincidence that all three of these things happened in the same week and they weren't related in some way.

 
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Don't let the off and on of the bulbs fool you, I had that happen with a bulb in the autotrans console do that, I replaced the bulb and if has been fine since. These bulbs will go and off, but if you replace them you will see they will be fine.

 
Rep Power: 308

I would try disconnecting the dimmer module from the circuit and see if the fuse still continues to blow.

The dimmers are are a pretty common issue on this generation (just not sure if they ever short out though)

 
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ok, i'll try that. I took out the dimmer switch and ordered a new one from ebay. Not too expensive even if it isn't the solution. The fuse thing is what's confusing me; no one else with the dimmer switch problem has said that their fuses blew. I'll let you know how it goes.

 
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Where is the dimmer module, does it plug into the dimmer switch?

 
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To the best of my knowledge the dimmer control unit and the brightness adjustment **** are all in the same box behind the panel.

 
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I unplugged the dimmer switch and put a new fuse in. It didn't blow when I turned on the lights. Does that mean it is the dimmer switch?

 
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It's a good sign that the unit was defective.

Is the one you have coming new or used ??

It should solve both problems for you. Still may find a bulb or 2 not working, they don't last long usually.

 
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I ordered one used off of ebay. Figured i'd try the $20 one before dishing out over $100 on a new one through honda

 
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I just replaced the D4 light and it works fine so it was unrelated.

 
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Was it a #74 wedge base bulb or one of the prewired that are bulb and socket assembled ??

 
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Was it is hard to get to?

 
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I'm not sure which kind it was. They are much smaller than the rest of the bulbs, they have a rubber bottom that plugged into two prongs. It was somewhat difficult to get to. The clips holding the black trim in place would not come off. I actually broke off both clips. Went back on fine without them though. Once you get that piece off it isn't very hard. Once you get to the back tho you have to pry off this cover thing. I've never seen this type of light bulb before so I just took the D2 light and switched it with the D4 light. Now that it's all assembled my speedometer is lagging a bit. I wonder if I didn't put the plug in all the way or something. Ill check that later.

 
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Interesting, good idea to switch out to the D2. So, the whole cluster had to come out? I just thought of something, can you access the bulbs from the back or you have to take off the front sheet with the numbers printed on it?

 
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You definitely have to take the whole thing out.

 
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the dimmer switch came today. The lights came back on so i know it was the dimmer switch... but it doesn't seem to be fully working. The lights come on but when you turn the **** they don't get brighter or dimmer.

 
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tried my original switch and for whatever reason it is working again. no short or anything. I replaced the hvac lights and those are working again too. Thanks everyone for you help