Instrument cluster and reverse lights not illuminated?

2001 HONDA ACCORD
132,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RYLOO64
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Hello! I have the car listed above LX V6 sedan, and the light for the speedometer does not turn on. Every gauge function as normal but there is no lighting, and it seems to have also affected my reverse lights on the tail lamps and my climate control buttons (for the defroster and such). I replaced the fuses for Instrument and back up lights and that did not work. Are there more fuses like the small light fuse on the passenger side that I need to replace, or do I have a whole new electrical issue?
Thanks in advance!
Oct 25, 2022 at 7:57 PM
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AL514
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Hello, there was actually a Recall due to this issue. There is a problem with heat buildup in the Instrument Cluster and causes the bulb for some gauges to fail. I will post the recall information. I don't think the dealership will honor a recall so old, but I will include the instructions for pulling the cluster as well,
It looks like you can replace just the gauge bulbs, and it's pretty easy to do, but because of this recall. I would inspect the wiring harness plugs for the Instrument Cluster for any heat related discoloring or wiring that may have the insolation falling off. If there is a heat issue, the wires will be brittle and the connectors and or the connector pins can have discoloring. When you have the Cluster out, check the connector pins also that they are not spread apart. Heat will do that too, make sure the female pins on the connectors will fit snug on the Cluster male pins. You'll have to take one of the gauge bulbs out to see what kind they are. I do not see a part number listed, but if I can find one Ill update this post.

Okay, in the fifth picture, it looks like these are the instrument panel bulbs. But take one out just to be sure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring
Oct 26, 2022 at 8:28 AM
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RYLOO64
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Awesome. Thank you so much! I'll try some new bulbs or get the bulbs from Amazon! My friend and I tried switching the bulbs a while ago but maybe we used the wrong ones, so I'll definitely try again!
Oct 26, 2022 at 8:36 AM
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AL514
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Okay, inspect the harness connectors if you already changed them and there was no effect. It looks like there are five for the gauges. Here's the wiring diagram with the fuses for the Cluster, just in case and this is supposed to be the bulb, so really take a good look for overheating issues, since you've already replaced some bulbs. Let us know what you find.
Oct 26, 2022 at 8:49 AM
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RYLOO64
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Hello again! I actually replaced the fuse for the dimmer in the engine bay and now my gauges light up perfectly! Thank you for the help once again!
Dec 13, 2022 at 5:18 AM
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AL514
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That's great to hear, I wonder if the dimmer switch or the Reverse lamp circuit has a short in it. If they are on the same power supply. If that fuse happens to go again. Checking the Reverse lamp wiring might reveal a short to ground somewhere. Glad its fixed though.
Dec 13, 2022 at 12:47 PM