Honda Element Instrument Cluster Solution For Reddit

[@mikeriley3247]

If your dash lights are working before you install the LEDs just to make them brighter, and you change out all the bulbs only to find your dash lights "backlights" quit working, then the problem is those cheapo bulb holders that come with the LEDs. Pull the old bulbs out of the OEM holders (by wrapping electrical tape around the bulb and wiggling the bulb out if it's stuck in). And stick the new LED lights in old OEM holders. Firmly seat them all the way down till they click. This solved my problem and turned a bummer weekend around! Cheers!

[@duncanengel5146]

Homieeeeeee yes this just solved my issue. I bought an element this month with no dash lights working, installed amazon LED's + bulb holders, tried flipping them and wiggling/shimming the connector, still no lights. I was a few steps away from learning to solder to fix the pins on the board (which would not have fixed it), and sending the cluster out for a $150 restoration job. Huge check off this elements to do list. Thank you.

[@jazzyalex2011]

This is the exact video I need. However, I wish you would've shown how to remove the needles and retaining clips. This is where I am and unsure about proceeding. Thanks again!

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Needles just pop straight up and off. They're air tight so be careful, requires even pressure all the way around otherwise you risk breaking the plastic stem. Also, be sure to mark where yours rest before popping them off. It's a pain to try to sync it back up. Retaining clips, you just push them back a little and then push them through. There's a bunch of them!

[@Михалыч-е2у]

@@bobbytayloradventures8442 how do you sync them back?

[@bbsprks75]

So my issue is my gas gauge needle fell off. How do I fix that?

[@lbccrx1rex933]

I squeezed a thick piece of cardboard where the big connector female side plug goes, Just to put a little bit of tension on the outside of the wiring connector. 3 years later and still holding

[@mpaji750]

This shim method also worked with fixing failure of speedometer light. I wrapped a piece of cardboard with the sticky side out of packing tape, sticky will mitigate from working its way out in the future. Just had to be careful applying appropriate thick board to prevent breaking connector.

[@caboverkaylee1374]

Did the cluster part and they all work now!

[@brinkmanja]

Worked like a charm for me. Thanks for the video.

[@williamnewman8850]

Thanks for your help. I could send pictures if you want. But not sure how that is done. You explanation was the best completely disassembling unit really helped . I bought the tools to pop out stuff connectors and dials etc. Cleaning with alcohol didn’t help with connectors. Haven’t tried reversing connectors Let me know what you do to send some pics Regards, Bill

[@KoldP-bb7uq]

Does this fix the no start problem? Where your cluster asked up, sometimes making a loud clicking and show security light. Usually a good pound on the dash does the trick and she starts right up, other times I have to put the windshield wiper knob in the fastest speed setting and that will do sometime to allow it to start. It’s scary, might leave you stranded

[@salvadortejeda2502]

Any info on whats the wrong if the speedometer needle moves if you hit a hard bump? Thanks

[@marthacardenas1364]

Hi, my 2003 Honda Element cluster, I chage the light bulbs and know it’s flickering I don’t know why ? Can you please tell me why .

[@rocknmamma2666]

Really appreciate your breakdown of instrument cluster. Very well done and understandable. Particularly interested in use of aluminum to clean connectors. Does it act like a fine Emory cloth.? You demonstrated using a torque app for calibrating the needles. Which one and does it have other functions? Sounds great! Technology is amazing and I didn’t realize there was a Bluetooth ability ( but maybe not on my early model?) Also, just got my 2004 HE with 72,000 miles. Seems to idle fast, well above 1000rpm. Wondering if that’s normal for them or what do you recommend. It runs very smooth and has plenty of power. Just different from all the other vehicles I’ve owned for over 60 years. I like to understand all I can. 👍🤗 Happy New Year‼️ 🙏🙏🙏

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Thanks for the kind words! To answer your questions; Aluminum is a soft metal so you can use it to clean other metals without damaging them to scrap off corrosion or anything like that. If you've got some electrical connection cleaner in hand, I'd use that as well. The Torque App is just a blue tooth interface. I have a few different apps these days but they all basically do the same thing. There's a small $5-15 OBDII Bluetooth connector that goes where you'd normally check your codes. I think it's worth it so I grabbed one. Lastly, as for the RPM's, could be anything from a clogged up air filter, maybe need the valves adjusted, if there's an idle control screw on your throttle, possibly even a clogged purge valve or a sensor going bad with the air flow, air fuel ratio, etc. I'd take it to a shop if you're not familiar how to check or adjust those things

[@rocknmamma2666]

Bobby Taylor Adventures obby Taylor Adventures Hey Bobby, Thanks for answering my questions. I’ll change the air filter right away to start. Just did the cabin air filters yesterday. On the seeming fast idle, I understand what you said to do and will look but not sure where throttle may be. Also, do you know the recommended rpm setting? If I can’t find it I’ll check around. I watched a YT on changing spark plugs and was surprised to see where and how that was done. Guess I’ll be leaving the mechanicals to the experts unless it’s an easy fix. I have additional questions - have you done or are you familiar either the full radio/fan/AC/heat panel thing? My daughter wants to gift me a backup camera and upgrade install from Best Buy. I am just leery about having it done and their possibly messing up something else. Of course I’ll ask if they’re familiar with elements and I’m sure they’ll say yes. And, on my overhead light in center, I had it on for 10-20 minutes and it got very hot. Should I just swap out my bulbs for LEDs or could there be a serious electrical problem? Never experienced that before. Again, I appreciate your information and sharing experience. Happy new year 🎉🎈‼️

[@vicente1185]

excellent video! What is the app you have on your cell phone to check the calibration of the needles?

[@gmo976]

What if the odometer mileage display light goes blank; I like to know how you fix that

[@caboverkaylee1374]

Dude!!! Excellent video, had no idea that I had those trixs, will definitely look into fixing my cluster lights. Also, any Idea why after two keyless modular installations and two brand new keyles remotes and after many a temps of trying to enter the keyless code programming nothing happens, no lock confirmation after the three ignition on/off and pressing remote buttons options, I get no thing from my car. I’ve got a 2003 Honda Element EX

[@sandraakhtar]

I’m assuming I can just pop the speedometer needle back on after taking the clear cover off without doing all the other stuff if that’s all that is wrong. Would that be correct? I read somewhere about he needles breaking very easily while trying to put them back. Have you found that to be the case?

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Sandra Akhtar They can break pretty easily but yeah, they just pop off. It's fairly inexpensive to put new needles on. While I was at the junk yard o pulled a bunch of needles off various Hondas as I had broken my main speedometer needle. They're basically held on with suction so you need to pull straight up to pop them off. If it's turned in any way you can crack the bit that slides over the metal motor which turns the needle and without suction they'll just slide and fall flat. I've also broken some needles on scooters but they were extra brittle due to the exposure to the sun and being cheap. I literally cut the end of a plastic toothpick off and super glued it in place lol

[@gordonrobbins5843]

Thank you GODBLESS

[@skizyx98]

does this work on a 2004 honda? our '04 does not have any LED bulbs/lights. our instrument cluster is intermittent. i replaced the bulbs and am still having a problem with the cluster "going out".

[@timkimone]

Hi there You guy work look professional! Today i just change new LED light buld for the cluster but did not turn ON? Afterthat won't start the car , put the key in but not signal all the light and power looking shut down ! Why? Can you give me idear for fit this problem /? Thanh you very much

[@tomcoyne3260]

When the cluster was out all the pins in both connectors should have been resoldered these are very common .to have cold solder cracks causing light issues and the cluster not to work.

[@Lujuzr]

Great explanation!!! Thanks a lot man!! I’ve a question tho! If for some reason I end up messing up my cluster, would a different cluster, already installed , read my car’s millage? Or would it read the miles it had when removed from another car??

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

I have a second cluster, and it registered the other car's mileage. There is a chip in the cluster that keeps memory of the mileage. So you would need to swap this chip out if you ruin your cluster. Worst case, you ruin both and just send it into Honda to do it for you. If you look up how to reflow or wipe solder, I'd go that route. Long story short you just heat up all the connections then slide the chip out, clean it up, then install it on the working cluster. Be sure to note the direction it came out and should go back in.

[@DAISEYLEETHE1ANDONLY]

I wonder if they sell the LCD screen that shows the mileage separately.

[@dkimphoto]

Thanks for the vid. I’ve got a 2008 element and the temp and gas gauge needles fell off during an attempt to change bulbs. Any idea how to calibrate them??

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Just look at a pic of the same year with everything turned off and put them in the same spot. There isn't really a good way a 'calibrate' it as the motors are already calibrated, you just need to pop them back on in the correct spot

[@dlritter61]

Did you happen to identify the TO220 device in the heat sink by the buzzer did you? That should be the master dimmer FET. I think mine is out as I can light all the lamps by applying 12 between A11 and A16. It would be nice to acquire new one before the surgical moment

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Nope, never went that far. You can try reflowing the connections though before removing it

[@boosted_8016]

Nice video maybe you can help me out with a problem I am having I changed out all the bulbs yesterday with colored bulbs and now my odometer isn't displaying been numbers and gas gauge isn't working after replacing the bulbs

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

You probably have some of the bulbs flipped backwards, sorry for the late reply, I never received the notifications. When I switched my bulbs out some didn't turn on and I thought it was strange. Turned out that if they're not put back in the same way they came out the lights won't light up. I had to hook the PCB up and put the lights in to see which way they went. Otherwise I'd have a few which weren't lighting up

[@johnmarston5056]

I have a Honda Pilot, I removed the needles but I twisted them by mistake. Now they won't work, do I need to buy new ones?

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Probably, you can typically see if the shaft is cracked

[@jflory0207]

Our instrument cluster has a wired thing. Everything works fine but the lights don't turn on until the car has been on for a while then they magically work. Do you think taking it apart like this and cleaning the connections would fix it?

[@antoniomartinez5650]

I think I have the same problem, however the needles don't move and the lights don't work. Turn signal lights work and the Emergency parking brake light stays on. The tachometer comes back to life when the weather is less humid and warmer or if the car is on for longer durations of driving. In summary, the tachometer cluster malfunctions when the weather is wet and cold. After turning the car off, there is clicking coming from passenger's dashboard/glovebox area and the brake light flashes repeatedly. If I turn on the wipers, the clicking and light stops. Of course, every time I take it to the dealer to troubleshoot this weird issue, it works fine and they cannot perform a diagnostic test. This electric gremlin is very elusive. I have a 2003 model and this problem started about 2 years ago.

[@cliffdwelling]

@@antoniomartinez5650 Same exact thing with our 2003, tapping on the top of dash resolves it most of the time. It won't even start if this is occurring. Trying to pinpoint the problem is hard, either bad connection on instrument cluster circuit board(solder joints) or key transponder. Some people have resolved the issue with new or used instrument cluster or have theirs repaired.

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Probably, sounds like an intermittent connection

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

@@antoniomartinez5650 sounds like a bad relay somewhere that's allowed moisture to get in it

[@williamnewman8850]

cant seem to get this right. I have dash board completely open down to the circuit board. I am putting lite in one by one to test each one with the board plugged in. of course. Now the lites should come thru from the back side of circuit board non soldered side (bulb first) then twist in to socket to lock in. The contacts on the socket from the lite should contact the side of the board with the solder. the contacts on the socket lite don't contact this soldered side but opposite side that does not have solder It's like I am putting the lite in backwards? If I inset from the soldered board side contact is made but thats coming in from the wrong side? Bulbs are in backwards? Completely confused? Whats wrong here?

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

Hard to tell without pictures. But I know I was having troubles when I put replacement bulbs in the first time. Essentially, it turns out the electricity has to flow through the bulb in a specific direction. I ended up having to try both options on all the bulbs. By that I mean, plug the bulb into the harness then screw the harness into the board. If that didn't work, if pull the bulb out and rotate it 180°. If that didn't work, pull the harness out and rotate it 180° if that didn't work, try the bulb. Since both the harness that connects to the circuit board and the bulbs can go in two ways, it makes for a total combination of 4. Hope that makes sense

[@darrelgibson8886]

I have same problem, did you ever find a solution? Thx

[@DGSantaFe]

So I have no dash lights on my Element, only the needles where lightning up. Then I took out the cluster and unplugged it then plugged it back to see if by wiggling a bit I would get some light on the cluster but after doing that my needles don't light up and my dimmer stick or however is called doesn't work anymore. Help.... Any suggestions? Anyone???

[@ratso69ful81]

Bad ground wire on undercarriage possibly?

[@olmo47]

Hey thanks move slowly please

[@charleshutson2437]

How do you get the needs off? I've tried pulling pretty hard and they don't budge. Any advice?

[@charleshutson2437]

The needles I mean.

[@bobbytayloradventures8442]

They're often times brittle but you should be able to apply force from behind them and have them pop straight up. Be sure to mark where they sit before taking them off. I've seen people use everything from flat head screw drivers to mini plastic pry bars.