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Alrighty... So this is an odd issue that has been driving me insane for some time now.

I don't really remember how far back this actually began, but for.. ohh let's say the past year or so, my gauge cluster quit illuminating uniformly. It also seems to have dimmed in overall light output. A "darker-than-average" area near the top of the speedometer between 80 - 100 MPH is also apparent.

Traditionally, this would be a bad bulb. In fact, looking up issues such this caused no end of confusion at first, because I had seen many people confuse the 2003 year with having the bulb-lit cluster of the 2001-2002 Civics. That didn't quite seem right ( just didnt "feel" like this had bulbs inside ) but I went ahead and pulled the cluster to check. Sure enough, there are no visible bulbs in the back.

I haven't seen much in the way of any very technical info on repairing issues with these gauges. I am fearing that an LED itself has bit the dust ( my luck they are surface-mount and will be a bear to solder let alone find the right LED ), yet I don't really have time to pull this and dissect it ( dim gauges are better than none at all - I commute a 100 mile round trip through the week ) without knowing what I am up against.

I first noticed the problem before replacing my stock stereo, although it seems it has grown dimmer since. May just be me. I noticed that there are some possible headaches concerning the orange / white dimmer and illumination wires, but I don't think I made any goofs there which contributed. The gauges still adjust brightness fine, but the Max setting isn't the 10x ( blaring ) brilliance it once was either.

I took some party shots of my recent 200k turnover that reveal the issue well. That outer blue ring used to glow insanely bright. Makes me as I always thought it was a really cool cluster.

Anyone else ever work with these clusters? Thanks for reading.

 
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I've never tried to do anything inside one. No handy info from me, and they are only serviced by replacement in the service manual.

Is yours REALLY a problem at 200k on it?

Wiring diagram appears to show 03-05 EX/LX/HX as having all LEDs in the cluster.

Something interesting is shown, called a "pointer diameter circuit" and "LCD dual diameter circuit" with a pair of LEDs attached to each. I'm guessing these control the parts around the speedo and tach that light up independently of the rest of the cluster?

Swap in a different cluster?

 
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Thanks for the feedback.

It's nice to hear that it may just be a couple pairs of LEDs at least. That would make it cheaper to just swap them all so that the new one wouldn't make the others look "off". That is, of course, assuming that it is only a dead LED causing the issue and not a different/more complicated issue.

I've thought about just biting it and swapping the gauges, but it's my nature to try and fix things first. I may just pick up a used cluster ( for backup- ODO difference would be a minor annoyance ) and yet try and fix this one...

Well, it is to me. The car is in excellent shape, and I've always maintained it ( Had it since 8k ). Best and only car purchase I've ever made