Hey Honda Civic enthusiast, I need your expert advise!! I have a 1992 Honda Civic Hatchback Si and this cluster/instrument panel light issue is driving me crazy. The problem is when I first start the car cold and turn on the headlights, the cluster/instrument lights and the climate control lights will not come on right away. It take a minute or two driving before it will finally come on. As the car gets warmer, there is less and less delay until the lights come on when you turn on the headlights. I have tried replacing the dimmer switch and the signal/headlight combo switch (used parts) and the problem is still there. I also checked under dash fuse #19 (dash lights) and it looked good. I think I will try to swap it with another 10 amp fuse. Is it possible that one bad light on the cluster can cause a delayed response on the whole cluster dash lights to come on? I haven't noticed if there is a bulb out. It seems like they are all on. I will also check under hood fuse # 40 and 41 but I'm not sure if that can be it because the headlights come on. I'm not sure if its a short or open somewhere because the cluster/instrument lights come on pretty fast when the car is warm. Any thoughts or experiences that you guys can share?

 

If you ground the red wire of the connector to the dash lights brightness controller (see test 3 in the chart), do the dash lights immediately turn ON full bright?

 

Thanks for the tip! I will try that tomorrow. Do you think it could also be the cluster or the integrated circuit in the fuse box under the dash? I appreciate your help!

 

If the dash lights immediately turn ON by grounding the red wire, this outcome would point to a faulty brightness controller or a poor electrical connection between the controller and its connector (check for corrosion or poor contacts).

 

Also check that the tail lights come on immediately. The dash lights are powered off of the tail light circuit. The head lights are almost a completely separate system so that doesn't tell much.

When it is not coming on, press and wiggle the fuses. If that makes it come on, the fuse block could be bad.

One bad bulb generally won't do this.

 

Well, I tried disconnecting the clock, stereo, cruise contorl, and rear defroster switches and still no change. I replaced the dash fuse just for the hell of it. When I tried to short the red and ground pins on the dimmer connector, there is still a delay. I also noticed that the taillights don't come on right away also. It comes on the same time as the dash lights so you guys are right about the taillights and dash lights being connected. I checked the taillight bulbs and they seem ok and they all come on. There was a little corrosion on the passenger side rear light but that didn't fix it. Another thing I found out is while waiting for the taillights, climate control lights, and dash lights to come on after turning on the headlights, I can push the brakes and the brake lights can come on. Also the clock comes on as well. I don't know if what I am saying is helpful. What do I check on the tail light to see if it is getting power. It must be getting power but just delayed until the car is warmed up. Would it be a good idea to remove the taillight bulbs and see if the dash lights come on right away?

 

Tried connecting the red wire and ground and the dash light still was delayed. Checked the pins and connections and it looked good. Originally the dimmer switch was flakey but the new one is more stable. Checked the taillight bulbs and connectors and they seem fine except one of them seem discolored. I will replace it tomorrow and update.

 

The combination switch on the steering column may be faulty. All power for the fuse 19 circuit funnels through terminals D and E of the combination switch. Here's how to test the switch [abnormally high resistance (Ohms) from terminals D & E = switch is bad]:

 

I’m having a similar problem but my dash lights & A/C Controller lights. First they started with the A/C controller light working and not working off and on for over a year, usual off for 1 day on for a month. Then one day the instrument and A/C controller lights went out only when i turn on my head lights. The turn signal controller was my first thought, I replaced it. The back lights and head lights all function normally. The small colored dash lights like shifting turn signals and airbag still work till I turn on my head lights. well the airbag stays on all the time now because its disabled for my reparing things. I replaced 5 dash light bulbs too. I read that like christmas lights if one goes out they all go out. Still nothing. Checked all the fuses in the fuse box under the dash they looked great. Checked the dimmer switch, now the switch itself works when tested but the wires leading up to it are dead. Any Ideas? I was about to open up the A/C controller because that seemed to be where it started. thinking the light bulb thing might be a start.

 

What year Civic?

What happens if you ground the red wire of the dimmer connector as mentioned earlier in this post?