Honda Element Dashboard lnstrument Cluster Light fix

2003 Honda Element EX 4WD, resolution for lighting issue. I finally upload this video after 3 weeks to make sure everything was good. My dash lights works perfectly now. Remember to hit like and subscribe if it worked for you. Thanks!

[@johnsonkm23]

You sir are a wizard! After 2 years of driving in the dark you have shown me the light! 🍻

[@fungames5058]

Thank you for this video! I was having the same problem in my 2005 Element and watched your video yesterday. I went home and did this fix with a small piece of cardboard wedge in the spot you pointing out. Totally worked! Took me about ten minutes to complete.

[@ShakenBakeRacin]

Oh my god thank you so much! I have been struggling with this for two years, I used to just whack the cluster and every now and then it would come on. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@reid3195]

I've had this issue for YEARS. I kind of enjoyed doing the 'Fonzie wack' while it still worked, but the Fonz stopped fixing the issue a couple years ago. This worked great, thanks so much. I used folded cardboard to support the wiring, it seemed to work better.

[@Brad5161]

I tried something different, before hearing about this fix. I took a soldering iron and pressed it on the top of each pin on the connector on the cluster for a few seconds. So far so good.

[@campyonlyguy]

Just what I needed! Took apart my 2005 Element's dash and got it back together in about 15 minutes, and the lights work again! Thank you!

[@MBSFCA]

Worked on my 2005. Thanks so much! This is the only place that I found that offered this fix - I had removed everything yesterday without any luck...removed the panel one more time to try this and sure enough it worked. Cheers.

[@kansaskeithbrown]

Dude, thanks so much for this video! I have been dealing with the dash banging for almost three years and the other day my 03 Element would not stop clicking. Everything was checking out so I was stumped. I tried this and it worked like a charm!!!! Thank you thank you thank you.

[@jaimesalvat7152]

Thanks so much this procedure helped with the banging on the dash panel to activate the starting of the car. I had this problem for a couple of years, and recently saw this video, tried it and is working so far!!!

[@kendraanderson627]

This totally worked! Now we feel much more comfortable traveling again. Thank you!

[@mdoneil]

Thanks very much, I was able to solve the backlight problem in about 7 minutes. I appreciate you taking your valuable time to make this video, it was remarkably helpful.

[@unitednutmeg8548]

Chiming in to say this was my exact issue and your video just saved me a few hundred. Thank you!!

[@br5904]

Worked like a dream. I added 3 roofing nails around the harness with some cardboard to keep it more secure.

[@insonh21]

checked the connector after watching this, fixed it, again thanks for the video

[@CaptDennisAlmond]

Thank you! Yours was the easiest and to the point video I watched. Quick and easy and it worked!

[@lynnchillook2804]

Totally did this yesterday, worked! So great, can't believe how easy it was.

[@jdm92da6]

The real problem with these clusters are the solder joints cracking.

[@Silverstar3]

Thank you Sir! I'm going to attempt this process on my honda element. Its a fantastic vehicle, even if its needing more repairs over the years.

[@beribear7956]

I have the same problem in one of my elements I just got. Thanks so much for this info , you saved me a ton of time I would have spent trouble shooting.

[@vietoriouz]

+Beriven Bear I'm glad to help. It took me quite some time to figure it out.

[@blackjackjoker2759]

Fantastic video. Fixed the problem in less than 15 mins. Thumbs up.

[@stevekeenan9673]

My dash just went dark. I KZbin'd this, and am happy that's all it took. I will do this tomorrow morning. Appreciate the post.

[@fandango21]

Thanks for a well done video. Solved my problem immediately!

[@adamlaird7556]

Thank you so much for this. My cluster went dark on me on my road trip two days ago so tomorrow I will take it off and give it a try thanks again

[@johnmoore4827]

hello and thank you so much for your video on fixing my lights. They had been that way for 5 years Honda couldn't figure it out until I came across your video. Just like you said 15 minutes work and a little duct tape and they're good as new again thank you

[@vietoriouz]

I'm glad it worked!

[@procarpenter1788]

You’re so generous to make this video. Thank you!

[@Gomeeze904]

04/09/2023 this video still relevant. thank you for sharing it!! i was able to fix my cluster lights issue

[@tinaplantenga1735]

had similar issue with the dash lights out and the clicking after i turned car off in 2003 my amazing husband fixed it by wedging it with a ziptie in about 20 minutes thx so much for the video

[@leeh1251]

Thank you for this informative video. I re-seated the connector and so far so good. I will try your masking tape shim if this continues to be a problem.

[@donaldviner4825]

This just started happening to my 05. Thanks!

[@christophertaylor4394]

Wow! You are the best!!! Thank you so much for helping me fix this problem. And thanks for sharing this video!!

[@christopherhighsmith9290]

Common issue apparently and this fix still works. Go ahead and replace the bulbs with Sylvania 2721 while you have the cluster out. New bulbs make a huge difference.

[@swaha55]

So even if the light bulbs still work, it helps to replace them? When these bulbs are going bad, they get dimmer .? But just replacing the bulbs won’t solve the problem of the bulbs, sometimes working and sometimes not working .

[@christopherhighsmith9290]

So the issue with the whole cluster not working is generally due to the connector needing more pressure like in the video. I'm just saying while you have the cluster out go ahead and replace all the bulbs because they are pretty cheap and it is a passion to remove it again. They sell kits on Amazon with bulbs for the entire cluster.

[@melwoods7041]

This didn't fix my issue but I really appreciate you taking the time to make and post this video! Most of my lights work, but the speedometer numbers do not illuminate. With over 300k on my E, I might just continue ignoring the issue 🙄

[@smcallister88]

Been tired of having to do the dash bash, I'll give this a try

[@jordanherrera7904]

Thanks man this was perfect for my situation!

[@philsgameshack7273]

Thank you so much for posting this! This was an awesome fix. Not sure why you had to jimmy the crevice. But who cares? A fix is a fix. By the way, my Element is a 2003, and it worked for me as well. Thanks again, man!

[@insonh21]

i have the same problem on my 2003 Element, thank you so much in advance

[@wakeupandcoffee]

Thank you so much!!! I have been dealing with this for over a year. I like the idea the commenter @Brad5161 said that they took a soldering gun and did a quick press on each pin and resoldered what I assume was a slight hairline crack somewhere on theirs. Thank you all. 😊

[@andrewsmith9980]

Why would anyone thumbs down this video? I will try your fix soon thanks

[@john091077]

Just got a used Element. Will try this fix tomorrow!

[@insonh21]

I've tried all the suggestions online and they always end up going out again but today i finnaly found the way to where you will never again have to worry about your lights going out. take a thin but long ty rap (about 10 inches) and wrap it under the instrument panel connector and hook it over the right side top where the screw that hold the panel in and pull it so it lifts the wire connector in place of any shims. cut off the excess ty rap and reinstall the instrument panel using the screws. you will never again have to worry about those lights going out

[@dimiladinov]

Nice video, thanks for making it!

[@eatinwithyah7272]

DUDE!!!!! IT Worked!!!

[@AllenManor]

I had the same problem with my 2005 Element. Instead of duct tape, I put a plastic zip tie in as a wedge. That was about 3 years ago and it has been great but about every 3-4 months I'll start the car up and the gauges don't light up, so I do the Fonzie and give a solid whack to the top of the speedometer with my fist and the gauges come back on. Might take it apart again and put something else in though.

[@bbuny10]

…I just gave it a slap and it turned back on haha I think you’re 100% correct in this video

[@billmanolidis580]

Thank you it worked

[@jasonmorrill8744]

This was exactly the trouble with my wife's 2003 Element. Thanks to this video her dash lights are reliably coming on once again. Thank you!

[@carmeloortiz3116]

Thank You this really works..👍🏼👍🏼

[@RealisticFishing]

I gotta try this tomorrow!

[@algirdt2204]

It worked…thx!!!

[@ruz6135]

Boss move...thanks man!

[@808Affliction]

Just did it, when I removed the cluster and took the connectors off and put it back on the lights worked. But I put a piece of tape as well just in case. Lol thank you

[@jimcripe6404]

Ive been dealing with this for three years on my 2005 element I hope this works

[@treble77]

Looks great

[@charlesgois9081]

Thanks, man🙏

[@codyjbartz]

Thank you!!!

[@skalante55]

Awesome thanks

[@isanyonelooking]

Thank you!!

[@georgeviebranz6075]

Cardboard matchbook covers, or the thin cardboard from blister packaging work great for filling that gap. You can fold it over and leave a tab to pull it out later, if you need.

[@dailyeaglenews]

Simply jam a pair of nickels, stacked beneath (below, along the bottom side) the wider of two harness jack receptacles, in back of the instrument cluster. That's the one closer to the passenger side, near the fuel/engine temp gauge. They act like a tight shim which presses the contacts firmly onto the circuit board, without any need to take it apart or solder components.

[@angelaadams7889]

The dealership charged over a thousand dollars to replace my cluster. It worked for three months and started again... I love my car and won't give it up...

[@vengo1250]

Thanks I have the same problems 👍

[@jonathanjimenez273]

It worked

[@erikametro5432]

Hey I have a 2003 Honda element my dash board and radio ludght just randomly diners went out wondering what’s the issue I took it to o relilys they said everything was good

[@edwardhovitz1753]

nice. thanks.

[@aaronvandagriff332]

Is there no after market gauge clusters that fix this problem

[@natfreethinker]

Thanks !!!!!!!

[@tjwatson6883]

I would also suggest wrapping a cloth around the connector to prevent unwanted drips, spraying it with DeOxit D5. Wait till it evaporates a little and then plugging and unplugging the connector. This would fix a connection problem between connector and plug but not fix problem with plug if on circuit board in dash light assembly.

[@swaha55]

So this has nothing to do with changing the light bulbs?

[@arthurpridanovs2336]

puling up and down at the same time is a bit confusing?

[@3nginuur]

I just hot glued mine. About ready to overhaul and put smd light strip to replace all of the lights.

[@joelsloper530]

Also go to an eletronics store get some metal solder paint,paint the prongs on opposite side of the plug on dash side let dry then plug in I haven't had one problem since the wedge works good but doesn't last long

[@timkimone]

Hi Nguyen Nguyen Are you Vietnamese? Good !!!! Good to see you ,I'm VN too .I have big problem after change all 9 lights bulb LED turn the key on but all lights NO WORK ???? and now can't start the car..??? Today put back all the old lights buld but not thing change .Can you help me please ? Thank you so much ,Hung

[@MCLIFESOY]

I did this but didnt work my lights from radio and cluster are off

[@kstlfido]

Thing is- why is the connector having problems making contact in the first place? Did you check & clean the connector pins? Better to find the root problem, instead.

[@Tat2Dragons]

Kent Leech The problem seems to be with the soldered connection to the circuit board behind the connector. Placing something to put pressure on the connector simply allows the bad soldered joints to make enough contact. The only way to remedy the issue wold be to fully disassemble the gauge cluster and go over and resolder those faulty joints.

[@shalen06]

I would agree with the fact that a poor connection is present, due to a board or solder-point connection. I just got a 2003 and am in the process of going through her. Maybe I can dig further to piggy back on what i’ve learned here. Thanks.

[@tombolton5575]

This is super easy to do and has worked for me. I used an expired plastic membership card (like a credit card but a little more pliable), cut it down and folded it to fit in the gap so there is some constant pressure happening up and down while still having bit hanging out of the port. fixed my instrument and A/C lights, took about 10 mins total. I've had to do a Fonzie hit twice after doing it and they come right back on. 90% of the time the lights are all good. It's really surprising how easy and modular it is.

[@insonh21]

forget about using shims. they always fail when you go over a bump. take a thin but long ty rap (about 10 inches) and wrap it under the instrument panel connector and hook it over the right side top where the screw that hold the panel in and pull it so it lifts the wire connector in place of any shims. cut off the excess ty rap and reinstall the instrument panel using the screws. you will never again have to worry about those lights going out

[@1jackvalley580]

Really need a light inside the element to see what you doing and what your pointing at etc

[@jenniferkrause2615]

I'm going to just pack it qith die electric grease. But thank you for the diag

[@abcdef8367]

Buy and electric welder and check the pin check the pin or put the welder on every pin till all are welded back againg

[@rayhanna6392]

A I swear just smack the top of the dash!!!! Lmao it works for me!!!

[@daxc1972]

That loose connector will also trip the anti theft fuel immobilizer unit which is located under the glove box. The unit has another name I forgot what it is called. Sometimes you'll hear a clicking noise when you try and start the car coming from under the glove box. It's also because that connector behind the gauge cluster is loose. I replaced the gauge cluster and Element worked fine. Only thing was it put the odometer to zero miles.

[@120DangerousHold]

My dash lights are completely out and my element has terrible starting problems?? Anti theft, maybe??

[@daxc1972]

@@120DangerousHold Probably that fuel pump relay switch that is behind the glove box. That is tied into the immobilizer in the key. Take the gauge cluster off and check the connectors on the back. They're probably loose.

[@pblask6451]

While you had it open I would have replaced those bulbs with LEDs.

[@johnandersoniii582]

What size? I am looking for replacements but I cant find what size bulb to buy

[@mikeray353]

The only REAL FIX is touching a hot iron to the pins/pads...100% fix. It's a cold soilder joint...there is another video on KZbin showing this. It works as an end all say all.

[@mrp2561]

Didn't work for me😢

[@jeffmullinix7916]

There is no real fix for this . The problem is not the pins but the female ends for the lights are weak that cant take the amps from the lights . The only fix for it is to do some surgery . But I would not recommend that if you cant or dont know how to use a soldering gun well and have no plans of reversing any mods you plan to do . This is not easy at all . One thing a person can do is to replace bulbs with LED's and do what this young man done . The thing is right now is that there is too much electric load on the pens .

[@MrSticks9999]

That's not masking tape and that's not a clip smh

[@unclegeorge7845]

The real problem is that Honda got an incompetent jackass to do the dash system. I have to turn the lights on at noon to see the gauges. Worst dash I've seen. And is that tank 1/4 or 3/4 full? Great car but a terribly designed dash.