[ludespeedny]

Got mine working. Follow my write up.
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/1st-gen-general-car-topics/64158-console-lights-fix.html#post904925

 

[Blacura]

So on my 04, the buttons work fine, but the displays for the clock, radio and HVAC work only intermittently. It is pretty random, but let's say for conversations sake I come out to my car after work. Everything works fine. Displays light up. I drive for 20 minutes or so, and they don't light up anymore. If I have the headlights on and the displays are out, I can turn the dimmer switch and dim the lights and they will come back on. They get progressively brighter until I hit the last notch where the gauges suddenly jump in brightness. Then it totally kills the displays until I dim them more. Again, sometimes they are at full brightness, sometimes dim. I cant find any patterns to determine what makes the brightness level change. Do you think this could also be the pcb or have any ideas? Thanks

 

[Jhacker92]

The driver side seat-warmer light seemed to go out... anyone know how to replace that??

 

[JDM6SPD]

In my SSM 04 the lights around the radio don't light up at all. In my CGP 04 the lights all still work on the center radio control bezel area thingy lol... However, they dim and brighten on their own all the time. Sometimes none of the lights on the radio, or the clock work at all. Any suggestions as to how to fix this issue in either of them?

 

[vttec]

I have a 04 non nav and was having problem with my center console light going on and off. I just installed a viper remote start and if fixed the problem for some reason.

 

[MatthewMcNeill]

I have a 2005 TSX and the lights in the Headunit(Center Stack) are dimming and Flickering. I can bareley tell the time in the clock, cant tell the radio station or cd location or see where the heater control illumination. I hear it is a common problem and you have to replace the whole thing, but i was wondering if anyone knows if it is still under warranty.

 

[MatthewMcNeill]

I have the same problem, What was the solution?

 

[Skype17]

I have a SSM TSX A-Spec 2004. Cost me 200$ to change the board.

 

[JaredB]

Okay. So after buying my '04 TSX and noticing that the lights were all not working, I went onto Digi-Key and bought the appropriate transistor to possibly fix this issue.

Had my dad put it in for me since he's been working on and fixing circuit boards since before I was born. I consider in a damn good professional. He even went around the board and cleaned up Acura's shotty soldering work. XD

No luck. Reconnected all the connectors in the back.. I did manage to get one row of lights to work. That row being the Volume Knob, 1-6 Buttons and the other knob, I think it's "Tune" or "Audio" or whatever.

But that's the only change I noticed.

Also, before you ask, I'm 100% positive we replaced the bad transistor. My father after looking at the board for about 4-5 seconds recognized and pointed out the bad unit, and we later confirmed that as bad with the write ups on here.

Should I just replace the entire board at this point?

Also, if I but the entire board, does it come ready to install or is there anything I need to move over from the old one?

 

[ludespeedny]

I would look for any other transistors etc that could have blown. Check for any black marks on the circuit board, etc... I'm sure if your dad has been doing this he probably looked it over good anyway.

My first thought would be to verify it is plugged back in right and then possibly could have bad bulbs. I am not sure how to check, but think I remember a write-up about it.

If you replace the board, most dealers will not sell just the board and will install it. If you buy online you can get just the board and will get a core charge back when you ship your old one back.

Sorry I couldn't help more. Good luck!

 

[JaredB]

I would look for any other transistors etc that could have blown. Check for any black marks on the circuit board, etc... I'm sure if your dad has been doing this he probably looked it over good anyway.

My first thought would be to verify it is plugged back in right and then possibly could have bad bulbs. I am not sure how to check, but think I remember a write-up about it.

If you replace the board, most dealers will not sell just the board and will install it. If you buy online you can get just the board and will get a core charge back when you ship your old one back.

Sorry I couldn't help more. Good luck!

We were thinking bulbs too. Anyone know how hard they are to get to?

And yeah, we did look over the board, nothing else appeared to be in too bad of shape.. I bought 5 transistors, if anyone needs one in the Lenexa, KS, USA area, let me know! I've got extras!

 

[voiddweller]

I'm new to the forum and just picked up an '04 TSX. The console lights do not illuminate. However, I can see the LCD for the clock and non-Navi radio display just fine in the daylight. Thinking that this was part of the TSB, I took it to the local Acura dealer today and they said that the TSB only applied if the LCD display was blank or very dim.

I've reviewed several pages of this thread did not see any specific mention of the LCD display working with the other panel lights out. If I missed it, I apologize.

I need to pick up the car tomorrow and they want $800 to fix it.

Please let me know if this assessment by the Acura dealer is correct or if I'm getting the run-around.

Thank you.

 

[ludespeedny]

with mine the clock and display worked fine, only the backlit buttons did not. $800 is steep for a fix you can do yourself. Even if you get the new PCB instead of just replacing the transistor, you can save a bunch. I am not positive, but think a new PCB is around $100

 

[voiddweller]

with mine the clock and display worked fine, only the backlit buttons did not....a new PCB is around $100

Thank you ludespeedny. You seem to have a really good handle on this issue so I appreciate the feedback. Based on what you said, this confirms my feeling that this symptom was part of the TSB. I'm going to pull out the board and verify the damaged components on the next weekend I have free.

Same visit but separate problem: my driver's seat recline motor didn't work. Some warning signals started popping up in my head when he said the entire seat frame would need to be replaced for over $900 because the motor was not available separately, which made me question the console lights.

Back to this TSB...

I checked Carland for the circuit board:

NI 3917A-SEC-A01CP CIRCUIT BOARD, PRINTED CP 001 2004 TSX MSRP $103.30 Online $76.90 w/125.00 core charge

Oh...and they had the driver's seat reclining motor:

81237-SDB-A71 MOTOR, RECLINING 001 2004 TSX MSRP $107.40 Online $79.95

It's so freaking hot down here right now...I'm not looking forward working on the car in a sauna, but I need those dash lights at night for safety.

This 'check up' is costing me $119 and they lost my future business. I'm really disappointed because the dealership is very convenient, but I'm not getting a warm fuzzy feeling. To the people that posted the Acura FSM's and TSB's, I'm eternally grateful!

On a positive note, they did hook me up with a brand new MDX for the day, so it made the trip to Costco a lot more pleasant

 

[beachbum]

The driver side seat-warmer light seemed to go out... anyone know how to replace that??

Did you ever figure out how to fix this? Mine is out as well.

 

[BlackSheep]

Thank you ludespeedny. You seem to have a really good handle on this issue so I appreciate the feedback. Based on what you said, this confirms my feeling that this symptom was part of the TSB. I'm going to pull out the board and verify the damaged components on the next weekend I have free.

Same visit but separate problem: my driver's seat recline motor didn't work. Some warning signals started popping up in my head when he said the entire seat frame would need to be replaced for over $900 because the motor was not available separately, which made me question the console lights.

Back to this TSB...

I checked Carland for the circuit board:

NI 3917A-SEC-A01CP CIRCUIT BOARD, PRINTED CP 001 2004 TSX MSRP $103.30 Online $76.90 w/125.00 core charge

Oh...and they had the driver's seat reclining motor:

81237-SDB-A71 MOTOR, RECLINING 001 2004 TSX MSRP $107.40 Online $79.95

It's so freaking hot down here right now...I'm not looking forward working on the car in a sauna, but I need those dash lights at night for safety.

This 'check up' is costing me $119 and they lost my future business. I'm really disappointed because the dealership is very convenient, but I'm not getting a warm fuzzy feeling. To the people that posted the Acura FSM's and TSB's, I'm eternally grateful!

On a positive note, they did hook me up with a brand new MDX for the day, so it made the trip to Costco a lot more pleasant

How hard is it to replace this PCB?

 

[voiddweller]

How hard is it to replace this PCB?

I purchased a used unit from a forum member so I wouldn't need to replace it, but it had the same issue. I'm going to order the PCB after I get a refund.

Based on previous posts, replacing the PCB (printed circuit board) is pretty easy and just takes patience and a small Phillips head screwdriver.

EDIT 10/25/13: Received the forum member refund and went back to the dealer after the situation got worse, the LCDs are all flickering when the radio heats up.

At this point, the dealer finally acknowledged that it was the board and are replacing the PCB with a new one. I'm paying for the part and about 1hr labor, but they gave me a really nice loaner for a few days, so I'm happy. If they didn't do the loaner, I would have taken the car back and did it myself.

 

[benjam5]

I have also have the same issues with the console lights and the drivers heated seat lights out. Anyone have a link for a DIY?? would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!
Mike

 

[voiddweller]

I have also have the same issues with the console lights and the drivers heated seat lights out. Anyone have a link for a DIY?? would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!
Mike

Mike,

The link is right at the top of this page. Open it and you'll see sub-link that walks you though pulling out the radio so you can get to the board.

 

[Chrisnycq]

So after reading all 339 posts I replaced my pcb. Got it for 79 from curryacura. The problem is still there. It comes on and off randomly. If I wack the bottom of the radio it comes back on. I went back into the unit to make sure all connector were ok. I notice when I push down on the plug for the CD player the light comes on. After about 5 mins it goes off and when I push on it again it comes back on. I made sure the plug is all the way in. Could it be the harness itself? Or did I get a defected pcb? Please help. Thanks in advance guys.