Rep Power: 0

So, after finally solving my previous flickering lights issue, I finally got around to installing the new radio I got. Aside from the headache of the two "invisible" screws underneath the center piece of the dashboard, the process went well. Or so I thought. On the way in to work that night, I noticed the backlights on some, but not all, of the HVAC buttons were not lit. Now, the entire HVAC system IS functioning properly, and the light that notes which option is selected is still working even on the unlit buttons, but after opening the dashboard to check again I cannot find a corresponding connector that I could have missed. What's more, it's a seemingly random arrangement of affected buttons:



This image was taken during the day in as dark a garage as I could make it, but nonetheless it is likely difficult to see which buttons are unlit. The unlit buttons are:
Bottom row: Max A/C, A/C.
Top row: Windshield blower setting
And the temperature dial on the right.

What's likely gone wrong, and am I going to have to choose between dropping $200 on a replacement unit or just dealing with it?

 
Rep Power: 222

The backlight? In the older cars there were little bulbs you could replace

 
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That was the first thing that crossed my mind, but I find it weird(and concerning) that I had multiple go out at once. That's what I'm worried about.

That and the fact that I apparently can't get the right bulbs anywhere local. -.-

 
Rep Power: 222

It can happen, get a part number from online and try amazon or the local dealer?

 
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Can't find anything that matches the bulbs online. There are no parts numbers on the bulb casing, either. They do not pull out of the casing, either, so they're not tiny versions of the kinds of bulbs you put in the license plate or backup lights. I'll have to try the local dealership if searching for 2010 Civic HVAC Bulbs proves fruitless, but it seriously seems like these bulbs don't exist online. It's WEIRD...

EDIT: I FINALLY FOUND THEM!!!! Took forever going through one of the OEM parts sites(HondaPartsNow), but I not only found them, I found a part number that can allow me to find compatible replacements on Amazon for cheaper(though with my luck on Amazon, they're only getting ONE chance!). These have GOT to be the most obscure bulbs on the internet.

EDIT2: Well, it seems the version needed for the *****(which has a longer casing but is otherwise identical) don't exist anywhere but these OEM parts sites(and likely, of course, the dealership). But I've got a set of the others ones coming in and we'll find out if it's just bad bulbs soon enough.

 
Rep Power: 0

So I got some replacement bulbs and installed them. For one night, everything was fine. Now every single light, even the ones I didn't replace, go on and off intermittently whenever they feel like it.

 
Rep Power: 222

Bad power or ground somewhere in the harness

 
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Hokay, so... A coworker informed me that he had a similar issue a few years back, and he learned that the lighting systems in some CC units are wired in series instead of parallel - the arrangement that results in "one bulb goes out they all go out." So a single bad bulb can take out the whole system. It doesn't QUITE add up since the lights didn't usually all go out at once(though that did happen a couple of times), but based on that he still advised I try another set of bulbs before resorting to the expensive stuff.

So I ordered another set of replacements, which came today. When I pulled out the unit and took a look, I discovered that ALL BUT ONE NEW BULB had come loose! I'm talking "twists to disconnected position with a slight tap" loose. I took a look, and it seems the tabs that hold them in place didn't exist on the loose bulbs.

Well, I decided to give the new bulbs, a set of LEDs, a try anyway since I had them. And my LED luck continues, as of the set of 10, FIVE were DOA. (and yes, I made sure to flip them around to make sure they weren't polarity sensitive) I need 8 of them to work.

So back in went bulbs from the previous set of 20, with me making sure they all had tabs in place. All went in and show no looseness of concern, and all worked when plugged back in. Hopefully they stay that way, but a reminder that they stayed on properly for one full night last time, so I can't say for sure that the issue is solved yet. We APPEAR to have ruled out something worse, but if there is another problem even these could go out.

I'll check back in in a few days to let you know if we're good.

 
Rep Power: 0

Three bulbs began going in and out intermittently on the second night. I have not popped things open to check them yet because I have gotten QUITE sick of popping everything out to deal with these bulbs. I will check them sometime later when I have nothing better to do.

 
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Grabbed a new set of bulbs off Amazon. Pack of 20 LEDs. 8 DOA, 5 untested, 7 installed and functioning. Hopefully these will STAY functional since I'm BEYOND sick of dealing with this crap.

It's worth noting that it HAS to be the bulbs. When I opened the back up again, EVERY SINGLE BULB that was going in and out was loose AGAIN. I don't get how - they go in plenty tight, but after a few days they became loose enough to move by hand.

 
Rep Power: 222

Crappy aftermarket bulbs would be my guess. The plastic loses tension after a while

 
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Even then, three days seems ridiculously quick. The problem is the incentive to get OEM bulbs is very weak - these bulbs don't exist according to parts stores like AutoZone, so you have to go through the OEM parts websites, which charge $5 a pair, and I need seven bulbs. That's $20 when I can get 20 bulbs for half that on Amazon.

Of course, if they always go bad within days I basically have no choice. But I'll cross my fingers and hope my standard LED luck holds true here - I've already tried an LED set already that didn't work, and I always, ALWAYS, no matter WHAT it's for, get a bad LED on my first attempt at getting LEDs for ANYTHING. But the second attempt always works. SO FAR....

 
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These bulbs have lasted longer than the other sets, so it appears it may be done and dusted. Still weird how three lights just up and died on me while changing out the radio, though...