Euro control panel(temperature and audio) display very dim(almost can't see!). HELP!!

[grand78]

hello all,
been having my euro awhile and been happy with it.
Something weird happened though. Drove the car to a mate's place last night and shut it off. After 10 mins, jumped in the car and drove home.
Noticed that the control panel display was not lit up at all! This is the panel that displays your temperature and audio/CD controls(ie. volume and etc).
Stopped the car and restarted it (stupid idea) but doesn't seem to work.

This morning, I noticed the light was very dim.


Suspect: The panel lights got fused or something

Took the car to a Honda dealer this morning and they can only book it in as soon as monday (which is way too long and hard for me to drive without being able to see the temperature control).

Guys, has this happened to you before?

Thanks

[Adagio]

Is there any chance you touched the trip meter button which also brightens or dims the dashboard lights there may be a connection between the two? Try turning the little knob clockwise I think this brightens the lights. I often dim mine if I am driving a long way at night.

[Merlin086]

That's it...clockwise to brighten....

[aaronng]

By control panel, he means the audio and A/C control. That is not controlled by the dimmer. Since it is dim and not totally off, the LCD backlight has died. It happened to many TSX owners and also happened to EuroAccord13 here. He had his fixed under warranty by replacing the WHOLE audio-A/c control unit. So remember to take your CDs out before you go to the dealer.

[tron07]

the dimmer at the dash meters only works on the meter...

When you on the headlights, the dimmer cuts in and dim all the lights at the central console, so most probably the light switch or the relay inside failed.

[euro77]

if you read in the manual book, there's a button that if pressed and hold (sorry, can't remember which button, but one of the cd/radio/console button), the cd/radio lights will dim, and will come back again if pressed and hold again. But if this is not the case, then it's time to get it replaced under warranty. Nick had the same problem, not sure if he's got it replaced or not.

[aaronng]

if you read in the manual book, there's a button that if pressed and hold (sorry, can't remember which button, but one of the cd/radio/console button), the cd/radio lights will dim, and will come back again if pressed and hold again. But if this is not the case, then it's time to get it replaced under warranty. Nick had the same problem, not sure if he's got it replaced or not.

That's the CD/AUX button. But that totally turns off the centre console LCD. So it's not the problem since his is dim and he can still barely see it. He has the same problem as Nick (who got it replaced under warranty)

[grand78]

man from the looks of it, I will have to bring it in for replacement. The issue is that it will take so much time.

1) These fellas @ Honda would have to diagnose the fault [ time consuming as in to wait for them to work on my car]
2) Confirm the fault
3) Get the replacement part [ time consuming ]
4) Fix the part in


this is one instance i missed the old school gauges.

Anyway, guys, you have been fantastic. Thank you all!!!

[grand78]

Got an update.

I was promised the replacement about 3 weeks ago. The first thing mentioned to me was that it shouldn't take more than 2 weeks to come from Sydney to Melbourne. This is from Honda's distributor headunits.


I've been ringing them almost each day to check and yes, no show. This went on for over 2 weeks. I have complained to Honda Australia and all they did was to ring me back telling me nothing can be done. Hence, passing the buck away.



Man, the car is on full extended warranty and it's harder than asking them to donate blood. Imagine if the car was off warranty. Very,very dissapointed with Honda's "prestigious" warranty and service.

Never ever had such an issue with my WRX.

Sigh, sigh and sigh...
Just an update...

[grand78]

PS: it's winter now and freakin' cold. I am stuck guessing the god damned setting for temperatures in the car... Some honda prestige in a EURO luxury.

To be fair, the overall performance of the car is faultless but in sight of completeness, this is really dissappointing.

[EuroAccord13]

You can still see the digits without the lights as long as the light source is coming from the top....

[euro77]

If I'm not mistaken, the lowest setting is LO, then from there up is 18,19,20, etc. I guess you can sort of remember this in mind when you set your climate control until it's fixed...

[aaronng]

Yup, it's easy to memorise the driver's side temperature position.

[grand78]

Yep true but even then, if it was a 10 yr old car, i would expect such issues( strange my 10 yr old cars in the past do not have this issue). I tried calling Honda and all they said is that it's out of their hands...

[grand78]

Anyone with any good contact in Honda Australia who can help? SOS!!

[tron07]

Twist the temp until you get hot air or cold air.... unless that one also not working...

[aaronng]

Anyone with any good contact in Honda Australia who can help? SOS!!

Is your car still under warranty? Contact Travis Honda down at Frankston.

[Peekay34]

Scott at Essendon Honda is very good as well in the service dept.

[tony1234]

Yep true but even then, if it was a 10 yr old car, i would expect such issues( strange my 10 yr old cars in the past do not have this issue). I tried calling Honda and all they said is that it's out of their hands...
I know it's a pain.it's a well known fault with the 04 Euros(and TSX in the states).just be gratefull it's covered under warranty(isn't it!!):)

[grand78]

Scott at Essendon Honda is very good as well in the service dept.


hey,
thank you:)
i might call him up and see what the lead time is for him to get the part in..
sigh..
hate this

[aaronng]

I know it's a pain.it's a well known fault with the 04 Euros(and TSX in the states).just be gratefull it's covered under warranty(isn't it!!):)

Which makes me wonder if I should fork out $895 for the extended warranty for my 04, just for this problem.. :(

[grand78]

Which makes me wonder if I should fork out $895 for the extended warranty for my 04, just for this problem.. :(

to be honest, I am very dissapointed with Honda Australia. Make good cars but the creditability of the service for parts is as good as jack shit.


Can you imagine that all they(Honda Australia HQ) said was , "oh we're really sorry. We don't manage the head decks and there's nothing we can really do but wait". Just puts me up in flames hearing this.

If my Euro was done with its warranty, i'd have the deck replaced(in good time til kingdom come) and then run an aftermarket head deck like some of they guys do in the forum...

[euro77]

Which makes me wonder if I should fork out $895 for the extended warranty for my 04, just for this problem.. :(

Do you know how much is it to replace the blown lights (or whatever is causing the dim)? If it's more than $895, probably a good idea to extend warranty :D

[yfin]

How many people in Australia have had this problem out of the 70,000 or so Euros sold?

[euro77]

The one I know so far is 2, but according to Nick (from the service person), this is quite common (if I remember Nick's exact word).

[yfin]

The one I know so far is 2, but according to Nick (from the service person), this is quite common (if I remember Nick's exact word).

It would be a lot of work for dealers to do this rectification on an ongoing basis. I know in the USA Acura extended the warranty on the audio unit to 7 years for this very reason. See enclosed.

See how Acura write to all owners?!!! Another example of Honda Australia not communicating with buyers. I still have not received any communication regarding the headlight clips - in the US everyone got a letter.

http://photos.imageevent.com/astroboy/workstuff/tsxtsb/B04-021.pdf

[tony1234]

Seems to be only 04s that have this problem.For you guys that have this year model buying the ext.warranty i think is a good idea.BTW.Does anyone know how much the control panel is to buy from Honda spares?

[yfin]

Seems to be only 04s that have this problem.For you guys that have this year model buying the ext.warranty i think is a good idea.BTW.Does anyone know how much the control panel is to buy from Honda spares?

Seen it posted about the 03 Honda Accord in the USA too (very similar dash to us) - TSB # 04027. To buy the console unit would cost a fortune through Honda - much better off going to a wrecker.

I would say this occurs in a very tiny percentage of vehicles - much less than 1% (I only know of 2 cases in Australia although there are obviously more). To justify $900 extended warranty for a just in case depends on whether or not the owner likes to live dangerously :D . You only get the extended warranty for another 2 years anyway and if the car has made 3 years without problem.....

The other thing is what is to say this will not happen in year 6 or after??? Forked out $900 and then you still have to fix it.

[grand78]

Seems to be only 04s that have this problem.For you guys that have this year model buying the ext.warranty i think is a good idea.BTW.Does anyone know how much the control panel is to buy from Honda spares?

mine's late 03

[grand78]

hey guys,
I just got off the phone with the dealer that's helping me out. The dealer is fine but just that honda australia's a bit unorganised.
So, here's the latest word from him.
The unit should be here in Melbourne by friday(let's see how true is that). It seems that there was some hesitation cause Honda Australia shuffed the responsibility of the defect to the manufacturer. The manufacturer and Honda Australia had a game ping pong shuffing the blame and the latter then decided it was NOT OF PRIORITY GIVEN THAT THE CAR WAS ON EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NOT YOUR STANDARD 3 YEAR WARRANTY.

Hmmmm.... So, thinking about extending your warranty?

Sigh

[grand78]

Seems to be only 04s that have this problem.For you guys that have this year model buying the ext.warranty i think is a good idea.BTW.Does anyone know how much the control panel is to buy from Honda spares?

try not to use the unit too much, just get an aftermarket deck and whack it in like the guys in the forums for EURO.
Then the centre panel unit just functions as a display.. hopefully the probability of it stuffing up is not high...

Then again, these defects should be low. Any honda is built good and to last. It is just a shame that honda's internal operations with their outsourced manufacturers is so poor here in aust.

[mastcell]

Which makes me wonder if I should fork out $895 for the extended warranty for my 04, just for this problem.. :(

Just because your standard warranty ran out, it does not completely absolve your dealer's (and Honda Australia's) obligation to you.

There is something called 'implied warranty' that applies to all consumer products sold in Australia. Simply, it means that product suplied should be fit for its intended purpose for the usual expected life of the product. If it failed too early, the supplier/manufacturer is under obligation to have it repaired/replaced FOC even when the product is no longer under manufacturer's warranty.

If anyone of you have issues such as this, look up your local Fair Trading/Consumer Affair Department for advice.

[tony1234]

mine's late 03
You're right.I meant to include 03 as well.From 05 onwards it doesn't seem to be a problem any more though.:o

[MasTaKilla]

my euro is an 04 model, and just 3 months after warranty expired the backlights around the radio CD system have died..
i took the car into the service centre at berwick and they told me that i would need a new CD console system, so now i have to pay for a new CD player and console just to get the backlights working, seems silly to need to replace the whole thing just to get some backlights working

[euro77]

Sorry to hear that, but apparently that's what I've heard (you have to replace the whole system) :(

Do you mind letting us know how much it costs you?

[tony1234]

my euro is an 04 model, and just 3 months after warranty expired the backlights around the radio CD system have died..
i took the car into the service centre at berwick and they told me that i would need a new CD console system, so now i have to pay for a new CD player and console just to get the backlights working, seems silly to need to replace the whole thing just to get some backlights working
Go back to service and ask them to talk to HA and see if they'll replace it as a good will gesture being as it's just out of warranty.Be polite but persistent.they should do it.

[grand78]

Gents... After a painful above 1 month worth of waiting, daily callings to the dealer, the freakin' head unit replacement has arrived from Panasonic.
The new unit is getting put in at the moment.

Overall, the euro is a great car and if not for this experience, i would say it's perfect... Stupid lousy panasonic distributor crap (homer tone)...

[TRaNz]

Geeez, a month of pain, amazingly you pulled through it :p
Good to see things are going the right way now, and hope that once its all done, there arent any more problems.

[grand78]

Gents I spoke a little too soon.
After the problem with the distributor, the dealer has to have its turn.

Called them up 5 minutes before their promised time to check if it's ready.
Guess what? "Oh, sorry it seems we found out that there's this LCD part which needs to work with the head unit and we dont' have it here. The part has to come from Honda Australia. It should come in an hour".


I have no words for this.. Anybody want to fill in the blanks?

[English, Greek, Italian,Cantonese,Japanese,Mandarin or any other language's swear words accepted]

[grand78]

gents, just got the car back. Feels like a new car now cause i have not seen the centre console light up for so long!

[euro77]

good to know it's solved now :)
I can't remember, is this warranty job or not?

[tony1234]

Yeah,glad to hear it's finally sorted out.1 mth??:thumbdwn:

[grand78]

good to know it's solved now :)
I can't remember, is this warranty job or not?

hello :) yeap it was under extended warranty ( and still is):)

[grand78]

Yeah,glad to hear it's finally sorted out.1 mth??:thumbdwn:

yeah, the prestige and reliability of having honda australia backing-makes britney spears opera singing material.