This has been a problem for a long time. I posted this on SuperHonda, with no luck of figuring out whats wrong. I'm hoping someone here can help.

I installed a sony cd player in my 98 accord lx. The dash lights no longer come on.
I used a Metra wiring harness from Circuit City and the harness has extra wires for "illumination" (orange wire) and "dimmer" (orange with white stripe). My deck does not have a lead for either, so I didn't use them.

So I thought to try using the "dimmer" lead with the 12v switched lead. When the key is on, the dash lights come on, but when the light switched is turned on (to either parking lights or headlight) the dash lights go off again.

I checked fuses, one was blown and I replaced it (on passengers side panel). I don't have an owners manual and the stickers that are usually on the panel to show what fuse is what is are not there so I just checked them all.

 

I'd start by using a test light to check every fuse.

 

well, basics first, did you tape the wires together? some illumination circuits are negative output, while the dimmer it positive. Are you sure your harness was correct? Make sure the red with black stripe wire from the OEM harness is connected to the illumination wire on your harness.

Check the dimmer wire for a varying 12-0volts that should vary with the dimmer control on your dash when the lights on. if you get no power then change your meter to ohms mode and check the illumination wire for a ground out by putting negative to the chasis and pos to the lead.

I also read a few cases where the fuse blew immediately after the lights were turned on again so you might want to check and make sure the fuse didnt blow again

 

Yup, I agree with John check all your fuses. Check underhood fuses to. I would almost guarentee it's a fuse, I've see it happen all the time. Also check your connections to. Make sure no wires poking other wires. What did you use to connect the wires? Solder, Crimp Caps, or Circuit's Smart Cables?


Nate

 

Same thing happened to me and it turned out to be the dimmer switch....

 

i'll do some checking as you guys have suggested. i'll report back with any results.

i used crimps for the connections. by the way, the radio does not have a dimmer connection. i now have an alpine installed, but it's still the same problem.

 

ok. i broke out the meter and here is what I measured on the positive dimmer lead from the wire harness:

(voltage test)
no voltage when light switch is off
~ 12v when light switch is on

(resistance test; ground to auto chasis)

~ 3.5 on 200 ohm setting with ignition switch in off to on position (engine NOT running)
-circuit open when light switch is on

~ 130 on the 200 ohm setting when the engine is running
-circuit open when light switch is on

again, the radio does not have a connection for the dimmer lead from the harness. there is a connection for illumination, but there is a lead from the harness and it's connected to the radio.

again, thanks for any help!

 

ohh yeah, there is no variance in resistance when the dimmer is turned in either direction

 

try grounding the orange with a white stripe wire if i rember correctly it's a common prob

 

should it be grounded to the chasis or to the ground through the radio?