Display does not dim or brighten with dimmer (without navigation)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Honda Insight and 2010 Honda Insight. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

Check the vehicle battery condition first (see 12 VOLT BATTERY TEST ).
Check the connectors for poor connections or loose terminals.
If the vehicle is equipped with navigation, refer to the Display day/night mode does not work or does not work properly (see DISPLAY DAY/NIGHT MODE DOES NOT WORK OR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY ).

Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn the combination light switch ON and OFF to see if the symptom can be duplicated.
Can you duplicate the symptom?

YES -go to step 3.

NO -Operation is normal.
Turn the combination light switch OFF.
Operate the SELECT/RESET knob to adjust the dashlight brightness.
Does the SELECT/RESET knob function normally?

YES -Operation is normal.

NO -
- Except DX model: Go to step 5.
- DX model: Go to step 10.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Remove the audio unit (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Disconnect and check audio unit connector A (24P) for loose or a poor connection.
NOTE: Eject all the discs before removing the audio unit to prevent damaging the CD player's load mechanism.

Reconnect audio unit connector A (24P) and recheck the symptom; does it still appear?

YES -go to step 8.

NO -Operation is normal.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Measure the voltage between audio unit connector A (24P) terminals No. 1 and No. 13. Operate the SELECT/RESET knob to adjust the dashlights brightness to see if the voltage changes.

Fig 1: Measuring Voltage Between Audio Unit Connector A (24P) Terminals No. 1 And No. 13
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Does the voltage change?

YES -Substitute a known-good center panel (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ), and recheck. If the symptom/indication goes away, replace the original center panel (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ). If symptom is still present, substitute a known-good audio unit (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ), and recheck. If the symptom/indication goes away, replace the original audio unit (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).

NO -Check for an open in the wires between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the gauge control module. If the wires are OK, substitute a known-good gauge control module (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ), and recheck. If the symptom goes away, replace the original gauge control module (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ).
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Remove the audio unit (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Disconnect and check audio unit connector A (17P) for a loose or poor connection.
NOTE: Eject all the discs before removing the audio unit to prevent damaging the CD player's load mechanism.

Reconnect audio unit connector A (17P), and recheck the symptom; does it still appear?

YES -go to step 13.

NO -Operation is normal.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Measure the voltage between audio unit connector A (17P) terminals No. 1 and No. 10. Operate the SELECT/RESET knob to adjust the dashlights brightness to see if the voltage changes.

Fig 2: Measuring Voltage Between Audio Unit Connector A (17P) Terminals No. 1 And No. 10
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Does the voltage change?

YES -Substitute a known-good audio unit (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ), and recheck. If the symptom/indication goes away, replace the original audio unit (see AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).

NO -Check for an open in the wires between the audio unit, the under-dash fuse/relay box, and the gauge control module, and recheck. If the wires are OK, substitute a known-good gauge control module (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ), and recheck. If the symptom goes away, replace the original gauge control module (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ).