Honda Instruments And Dashboard Lights Flickering

 

This repair procedure can also be applied to other brands of vehicle (Toyota, Nissan, Ford, VW, Mitsubishi, Opel, Suzuki, etc.), and other electronic devices, which are compromised by moisture condensing inside the electronic devices.

If serious damage has not occurred yet, the electronic system will return to normal operation after the dew dries. However it is possible that the system may not return to normal immediately, and further diagnosis may be required.

Honda Jazz (GD3) and City (GD8) odometer flickering and fuel meter not working. The dashboard lighting also flickering, as do several warning signs such as: airbags, temperature, etc. But in my case, the tachometer and parking brake still functioned normally.

Before repairs are carried out, as a safety measure, first disconnect the negative connector from the battery.

Remove the dashboard outer frame by pulling it by hand.

Remove the 4 screws holding the inner frame. It requires a fairly long Phillips screwdriver, because of the deep position of those screws. The screwdriver must also have a strong magnet, to hold the screw so it doesn't fall. If a screw falls into the dashboard, it will be difficult to find it. There is also a risk of short circuit, if the screw lands on to an open wire or connector. Pull the frame out, after the 4 screws are removed.

Remove the 5 dashboard cap holder screws. This cap has 5 clips, be careful not to let any of the clips come loose when the cap is pulled out.

When the cap is removed, two connectors (blue and green) can be accessed.

Spray both connectors with WD-40. Because the connector is in an upright position, WD-40 liquid can seep down into the connector holes. No need to remove the connector.

The photo above was taken from outer side of the windshield, so you can see a shadow on the windshield. It can be seen that the WD-40 hose is being kept upright above the connector so that the spray immediately enters the holes in the connector.

To find out the results of repairs, testing can be carried out if you are sure that there are no screws or clamps that have come loose and fallen into the dashboard. Reconnect the negative battery cable terminal. Turn the ignition key to the On position.

If there is a dirty connector, it will usually return to normal after the WD-40 liquid has been absorbed.

If it turns out that the odometer, fuel meter or other instruments are not normal yet. So the two connectors have to be disconnected by pressing the clip on the back of the connector. Then the connector is pulled up. Usually after spraying with WD-40, the connector is easier to remove.

Do this carefully because the conductor inside the connector is very delicate like a needle. Next, spray WD-40 again on the male and female connectors. Carefully reconnect the connector.

Cleaning connectors in this way, by simply spray WD-40 from the back, without removing the connector, can also be applied to other connectors such as for: radio, tape, CD, mp3 player, alarm, wiper, horn, GPS, and others. Especially equipment with low current or electric power.

It should be noted that today's car electronic equipment is very susceptible to moisture. The presence of water in the cabin, such as drinks without lids, rainwater seepage, damp carpet, which is left for too long for days, can cause interference with electronic devices such as: Engine Control Module (ECM), Body Control Module (BCM), speedometer , odometer, fuelmeter, tachometer, radio, tape, dvd player, mp3 player, GPS, etc.

Water vapor can enter electronic devices. Then water vapor can condense inside electronic devices. Dew will disrupt electronic systems.

If serious damage has not occurred yet, the electronic system will return to normal when the dew dries or evaporates again.

Carpet pads are a type of foam pad used under carpets. Its main function is as a sound dampener.

If it is already wet, the foam under the carpet is difficult to dry. If the foam is damp, the carpet above it can sometimes appear dry. For this reason, the carpet must be parted so that the foam can be checked to see whether it is damp or dry. If it is damp, it is best to remove the foam and dry it outside the cabin to prevent condensation forming in electronic devices.

If there is dew under the rubber or plastic foot mat, or sometimes the car window glasses become foggy in the morning on the inside, after parking overnight. This could be a sign that the foam is damp, as shown below.

In the left part of the photo above, the black one is the rubber foot mat, it looks like the mat bottom is wet with dew. The cream colored one is carpet that looks dry. Meanwhile, the yellow one is foam, it looks dry, but if you touch it with your hand, the foam feels moist.

Sometimes this foam is difficult to remove, because it is large, without joints, and covered by a carpet which is also large without joints. To remove the carpet and foam, you must remove the upholstery (seat). A vacuum cleaner that can suck water (wet and dry) can be used to dry damp carpet and foam, without removing the carpet and foam. Jet of air from a vacuum cleaner, air compressor, fan, can be used to dry carpet and foam. By blowing down the foam and the carpet is uncovered.

Towel, chamois, other absorbent cloth, newspaper, cardboard, can be used to absorb water from carpet and foam. By tucking it under the carpet and foam. But you have to be careful if there is thick cloth or paper under the carpet, if the car is driven. Because the thick cloth and paper can shift and interfere with the brake, gas and clutch pedals.

A moisture absorber bag (dehumidifier bag) can be used to absorb water vapor from inside the car, thus drying the carpet and foam. Usually filled with calcium chloride or silica gel as a water absorber. Place it near a damp area, close the car door and glass tightly. After a few hours, the bag will be saturated with water, then put it in the sun for drying. The bag can also be dried in the microwave, then reused.

The lubricating oil contained in WD-40 is stickier and easier to be absorbed than water. So it can repel water that has stuck to the conductor, prevent dew from sticking again, and a layer of oil can prevent rust. But it is not suitable for dusty environments, because dust can collect and stick to the oil.

There is another cleaning option, namely WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner. This product can clean oil, dirt and water condensation on sensitive electronic and electrical equipment. This product dries quickly, leaving no oil or residue. Safe and ideal for use on printed circuit boards (PCB), battery terminals, switches, relay, fuses, electrical panels, connectors, etc. Because this product does not leave oil and residue, it is suitable for dusty environments. So that dust does not collect and stick to the oil.

Apart from WD-40, there is also Standard Contact Cleaner Lubricant, which contains lubricating oil.

Meanwhile, CRC CO Contact Cleaner does not contain lubricating oil, and dries quickly without leaving a trace in less than one minute.