After purchasing this vehicle used I noticed this problem...

When i turn the headlights on, the instrument panel lights (speedometer, odometer etc.) do not turn on. The other lights that must be in the same circuit (the clock, a/c unit) turn off.

Has anyone had this issue? any suggestions?

 

Check that the tail lights work, if not check the fuse and the switch. If tail lights come on, pry the dimmer control out of the dash and unplug it. Jumper the red to the black wire in the plug. This should make the dash lights come on full when you turn the light switch on; if it does replace dimmer control. If the lights still don't come on it is possible that every single bulb in the panel is burnt out.

 

i pulled it out, one bulb was out, i replaced it.

on the dimmer control, there are two red wires and one black. do i just pick one and try it? this wont cause an explosion or anything will it haha?

 

One wire should actually be red with a black stripe. Leave that one alone and jumper the solid red to solid black.

 

i just bought a 93 civic and ithas the same problem, when I turn on the headligts the intrument lights (speedometer, rpm's, needles) don't come on and the taillights dont turn on either along with the plate lights, but if I step on the brake pedal the tails do work, I checked the fuse and it's fine, I'm so confused and this is my first honda, any ideas?

 

Check whether 10A dash fuse 19 is blown.

 

If fuse is OK, next check that power is reaching the fuse by probing the test points on the top of the fuse (check for voltage to ground). If no power at the fuse, the light switch is probably bad.

 

I cheked the fuse 10a fuse and it was bad, but when I replaced it with a new one and turn on my lights it blows out again, any ideas on wha it could be? hope it aint nothing major

 

Does unplugging the dimmer switch prevent the fuse from blowing?

 

No, I unplugged it and installed a new fuse then turned on my headlights and the fuse burned again