Rep Power: 0

The Gauge Assembly on my 2002 Civic hasn't been working properly. Seems as if it just doesn't have power because nothing works, including the backlight for the A/C controls. It usually looks as if it is working at startup but then dies soon after I start driving.

Anyway, I ran the diagnostic for the MCU and it threw an error code (DTC #2) saying the MCU can't receive signals from the ECM.



I'm not really sure how to proceed. How can I check the power and ground? Does anyone have a wiring diagram? Is there a way that I can be sure that either the MCU or ECM are faulty? And how can I be sure that if I replace one of these that the new one won't eventually have the same problem? Maybe there is something else I should be looking at? Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 518

??? No dash illumination at all?


Run the self diag test for the gauges.

Beat on top of the dash over the cluster, see if it comes back to life?



Beg, borrow, or steal a compatible gauge cluster. Quick swap for diagnostic purposes. If the different one works in your car, you should then know where your problem was.
Plug yours into the other car and drive it. Still goes dead? You should now know where the problem was.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the reply. No, I have no dash illumination and none of the gauges work (speedo, tach, etc.). I'll try a swap and see if that works but I'm not hopeful. The 2004 Civic should be compatible right? Sometimes, although it's rare, it does work. I've run the gauge diagnostic and it does everything it's supposed to. I've banged, punched, and kicked just about everything in the car at this point to no avail.

 
Rep Power: 518

IIRC 04 is not directly compatible with 02, wire positions are different.

IIRC 01-02 can be a direct swap, 03-05 are different.
Somewhere around this forum is a thread on cluster swaps that talks about repinning the connectors to adapt, but that would be a whole lot of work for just playing swaptronics.
Try this after the cluster quits, not while it's working.


BTW, what do you do to make it work again? Shut off the car and restart it? Wait an hour? A day?
LOL.
Try pushing sideways on each individual fuse, maybe one is loose in the box?


Remove the cluster trim and screws....get the cluster loose so it can be tipped out quickly.....Drive around until it quits.....wiggle the plugs and see if it comes back to life? Push on the board?

 
Rep Power: 0

Damn, not sure I can get my hands on a 01-02. Might be time to check the junkyard.

The problem is that it always works right at startup but cuts out pretty much as soon as I get in gear.

It really seems random. I've banged the hell out of it many times in a row with no luck but then it will just randomly come on while I'm driving on a smooth road. There's really no rhyme or reason to it that I've seen.

I will try to mess around with the cluster loose. I took it out once to look at the connectors, which looked fine, but the next time I started the car everything worked fine. But then on the next start it was same old same old.

I will definitely try your suggestions and see if I can't rule out the cluster being the problem. You wouldn't happen to know anything about the MCU/ECM communications though, would you? I'm leaning toward the problem being in one of these, especially since I was able to produce a DTC. But I just am not sure how to know which is the culprit.

 
Rep Power: 518

Does the MCM (MICU) show any other problems? Car has odd electrical failures? (AC/dome lights/locks/keyless/anything else electrical connected to the MICU)
Can you beg/borrow/steal a fusebox to try? LOL

Any codes in the PCM? Does the PCM still communicate with a scanner?



I can't get into Hondas site for info at this moment.....

 
Rep Power: 518

Gauges:
Fuse 10 in the dash box
Fuse 9 in the engine compartment box
Grounds under the dash, forward of and directly above the steering column frame

A communication line runs from PCM --> MICU --> Cluster


What about high beam, turn signals, and seat belt lights? Do they all quit too?

Does the gauge cluster still light up when you open the drivers door? (I assume it used to do this, assuming it's not a DX car)


When you do the gauge self diagnostic check, what is displayed in the odometer?
All segments lit, or the word Error?


----

On the Multiplex system:
You sure you got code 2? Not Mode 2?



Does the key-in beeper quit? Seatbelt beeper?

MICU controls these items, are there any problems with them? (other than the gauge cluster)
Wipers
Interlock
Keyless and power locks
Key-in reminder
Meter assy/gauges/indicator lights
HVAC compressor controls


The service manual I have shows the same chart you posted...and has you checking for communication line integrity (if there are multiple codes) and then swapping major parts with 'known good' units for testing. Kinda sucks, but that's what they expect us to do LOL