Hey everyone, I'm new and not really a car expert so apologies if I don't describe everything correctly.

I have seen this problem for Civics on many other forums, but no definite answers were given.

I have owned a 2002 Honda Civic LX for about three years now, and it has always performed well, but it also has had a strange problem with the gauge cluster. What happens is that, in short, everything on the cluster becomes unreliable save for the spedometer.

The fuel gauge becomes inaccurate, and shows more fuel than I have. The tachometer bounces around completely randomly, the drive light blinks, the Odometer reads "Trip AB" and "888888", and now the engine light comes on.

There are some other lights that come on intermittantly, like the SRS light and...I think the side passenger air bag light or something, but those could be unrelated since they don't always come on with the rest of the lights.

At first I was unconcerned because it didn't happen very often. As time went on, it happened more and more. I get kind of superstitious about what causes it, in the past I swear that it would work best when the car was very hot, or that turning my headlights on and then off would change it, but nothing works consistently.

A few weeks ago, everything in the cluster turned off: Odometer was blank, spedometer was not working, and all of that. That is when I became concerned, since I could not gauge my speed. It only lasted a few seconds, though. When it turned back on all the gauges went to their "messed up" state, and have not gone back to normal sense.

So in short right now I'm stuck in a permanent state of 888888 miles on the odometer, the tachometer is incorrect, and I have no way of seeing how much fuel I have.

When I got my car inspected, we had to replace the computer (when the guy at autozone used the diagnostic tool on my car, he told me this was the problem)

This seemed to work for a little bit, and even got the check engine light to turn off, but it did not solve the problem, as it happened before the incident where the entire cluster just shut off for a few seconds.

Can anyone give me any help? I'm hoping I can fix it myself as our mechanic is not available right now. I don't do well with cars, but my dad is okay, so maybe if it's simple we can do it.

 

 

Okay, so I just got finished doing the diagnostic. Everything checked out to the letter except for one thing:

The oil pressure light did not blink, it came on and stayed on while all of those other lights blinked.

Additionally, the engine light came on and stayed on.

Outside of diagnostic mode, the engine light and oil pressure light stay on if I just turn the ignition, but once I actually start the care, the oil pressure light turns off.

Since the engine light is always on, I guess that probably didn't factor in, but the oil pressure light definitely did not blink if it was supposed to. Everything else worked out perfectly.

 

The gauge assembly seems to be fine, though I can't explain the oil light remaining on.

The fact that the CEL remains on while you drive indicates a trouble code is stored in the ECU. Obtain an OBDII scan tool to retrieve the code or take the car to an auto parts store that will pull the code(s) free of charge.

 

P1706

Definition
BBLock up clutch does not engage
Probable cause
BB1 - open or short circuit condition in the gear selection switch circuit
BB2 - Poor electrical connection
BB3 - Failed gear selection switch

I guess if I had to guess one I would go with #2...my only concern is that this will get my gauges fixed. Last time, when we got the code saying there was a faulty computer, we replaced the computer and temporarily fixed the CEL, but I just want my fuel gauge to work so I can drive again.

 

You have an automatic transmission, right? P1706 indicates an electrical short in the Transmission Range Switch Circuit.

 

Thanks for walking me through how to check everything so far, but this is getting a little too technical. I think I'll have to take it into a mechanic, but hopefully if I know what to look for I can save myself some of the time I've already wasted running around in circles with him.

 

Consider going to a different mechanic.

 

Hi .
Were you able to fix the problem. I have a 2001 and have the same issue. I been looking the workaround but I could not find anything.

thanks
david O.