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DIY Clock Light Replacement (with pics!)

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371K views 459 replies 234 participants last post by  kernel  
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#1 · (Edited)
My parents had a silly debate on whether or not the clock had a backlight. I took it upon myself to do some research and as I suspected, there was indeed a backlight. I came across this thread and decided to fix the lamp. The instructions were very detailed and overall, the process was fairly simple. However, there was a lack of pictures and I noticed there was a demand for them. Hopefully, this tutorial will provide some help to the people who were afraid to do it themselves. Keep in mind, this was my first time removing a dashboard.

I’ll go step-by-step through the pictures, so you don’t have to juggle back and forth between this and the other thread.

TOOLS REQUIRED:
- 10mm or 1/4" socket wrench to disconnect battery
- phillips screw driver
- working gloves
- tiny flathead screwdriver to remove hazard button connector
- wrapped flathead screwdriver for prying. (not needed if you have small fingers)


1. Here’s the part you need to buy, Radio Shack part #272-1092. Despite Radio Shack’s rip-off prices, this was only $1.49 for two micro lamps.
Image



2. Disconnect the battery. Personally, I don’t believe this step is necessary, but you can do it to be on the safe side.

3. Put on the emergency brake. With the engine off, shift down it into the lowest gear to give yourself some clearance.
 
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#437 · (Edited)
Both of those bulbs are on whenever the key is in run position, so they burn much more and therefore burn out sooner than other instrument panel bulbs. I don't recall if the they use the same mount (they are neowedge bases) but you could can probably substitute bulbs by swapping the bases of the old and new bulb, if you had too. Alternatively, you can scout the parts houses on line to get a diagram that locates and specifies the part umber to see if they are specified the same. E.g.,:

Here
1999 HONDA ODYSSEY|

The Odom bulb is shown as
35505-SA5-003 SOCKET ASSY., BULB (14V 1.4W) (BASE:BLACK) (NS)

This site also has the diagrams
http://www.hondapartsdeals.com/hpa_...orID=3&GradeID=8&AreaID=2&TransmissionID=5&SectionID=5&IllustrationGroupID=8808
 
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#438 ·
I must be the last person to fix the clock light! But new people are always buying gen 2 Ody, so it might be helpful for some of them.

0) Give the ignition, press on the brake and get the gear shift lever all the way down. Remember that from D4 down, you do NOT pull towards you. Turn off the key but it will not go beyond ACC position.
1) At first I was not able to yank the right panel out. I was almost on the verge of giving up but I had Harbor Freight panel/trim remover kit and started going around the edges to pop out the clips. Before that I had put on the gloves and gave my all to pull it out from the blank button hole but it did not budge. I left the left side completely intact.
2) I did not remove any electrical connectors at all. I let the right panel hang few inches away. Just watch out for it hitting the radio on/off button. There was enough room to get the #2 stubby screw driver to take off the 4 screws and the 2 over the instrument cluster.
3) Then I moved myself to the passenger seat and slowly pulled out the panel containing the clock. Using another stubby flat head, I was able to remove the bulb holder. You need slender fingers, otherwise you might drop that tiny thing down there!
4) Brought the bulb holder inside and replaced the tiny bulb from the Radio Shack packet after making sure how the leads were wrapped around on the original bulb.
5) Installation is reverse :)

After I put back the whole thing, I remembered that my fan speed knob has lost the light too. As we usually just leave fan in auto setting, I don't really miss it but I would like to know if that bulb is easily accessible or not.
 
C
#439 ·
I want to replace all the dash lights including the clock with LEDs. I was hoping to buy the from superbrightleds.com. This would be plug and play, no soldering. Has anyone done this and if so, do you have a list of sizes that are needed and specific ones from superbright? I know this is alot to ask, but I'm hoping someone can help. Thanks in advance.
 
#441 ·
Just replaced the bulb for the Main Switch for the interior lights with the Radio Shack (The Source here in Canada) 7219 micro bulb. Remove the old bulb, thread new bulb into holder, twist and trim wires and install rubber cover over new bulb. Honda wanted $20.21 for this bulb. The micro bulbs were $5 for 2.

Thanks Odyclub!
 
#443 ·
Actually, on the contrary. The new Radio Shack bulb (60mA 12V) is much brighter than the OEM bulbs. Now I am tempted to replace them all to match the new brighter one.
 
F
#445 ·
Majestic Honda is a very good source for parts and list what is needed and how many of the types. Also another place to get dashboard removal tools is Crutchfield Stereo - they are called bojo tools. Bought the six piece set as never know what will be needed for the future. Thanks again for this thread as it made it very easy.
 
T
#446 · (Edited)
Sorry I know this clock/climate control thread has been beat to death, but have a question. First, vehicle is '02 Odyssey EX-L. Successfully replaced clock lamp using Radio Shack lamps. In my case bought vehicle used way back in '06 never replaced clock lamp. At first attempt there wasn't even a neo wedge bulb in the clock socket (for lack of better term). I pulled the base w/bulb from Hazard button (which was burned out) used that base with new RS lamp, viola! clock illuminates. Will have to buy new base w/ bulb for Hazard button. At same time I had noticed on recent evening drive that couple of the buttons on climate control panel out as well. Specifically the "de-fog" & "rear de-icer" not lit. While I had panel off to replace clock I investigated what bulbs I would need to correct this. Unknowing I had fairly easy access to the lamps on rear of climate control panel, I carefully removed the white plastic casing exposing rear of circuit board, and my curiosity lifted it up to see what lived there. I could see the lamps, there is some ribbon cable-ing, etc.
I then foolishly realized I hadn't needed to remove the white plastic back to get to lamps. I carefully snapped circuit board back into place, secured white plastic back, then proceeded to plug all cable-ing back into their respective ports and snapped AC panel back onto dash. Problem now is that not any of the lamps of those 5 bottom buttons illuminate (auto, off, recirculate, de-fog, de-ice) The auto, off, recirculate were lit prior to me messing with them. Any thing I could have done to knock these all out? Think by messing with this I caused lamps that were working to suddenly die? Kinda at a loss here. Guess I could buy couple of new bulbs from dealer see if that does the trick. Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks in advance for any insight.
 
K
#447 · (Edited)
I thought someone with more experience with this area might answer. But, I'll make a couple of suggestions. Check the fuses. There's usually one dedicated to the lamps. Also, if all the fuses are good, you might have accidentally removed a ground when reinstalling the ribbon cable. You'd have to go back in and remove and reinstall the ribbon cable to make sure all the connections are good.
 
D
#448 ·
I didn't See the Light.


OK, I purchased a bulb from the dealer, I purchased some trim removing tools and I tackled the job on my 2001 EX.

I took out the panels and all of the screws but could not easily unplug the emergency flasher but, I could see the old bulb and unscrewed the old bulb and, with a bit of tape on the new bulb to hold it onto the screwdriver, I installed the new bulb and tightened it lightly.

I put everything back together and fired it up. Guess What! The clock bulb did not come on!!!!!

All that work for nothing. Maybe it is the clock circuitry. The clock works but no light.

I don't want to do this again and risk a no light event.

Any ideas.
 
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D
#449 ·
The next day I took apart everything again. Once you do this the procedure is easy. I did not move the shift lever or have the ignition on. One thing I did do this time was unplug the emergency light and the clock and set the panel on the workbench. I carefully popped off the clock back and cleaned up the part where the bulb screws in.

Instead of the factory bulb, I wired the Radio Shack bulb myself and carefully screwed it in. Very tiny wires!

Before replacing everything, I plugged in the emergency flasher and the clock and turned the ignition on and, sure enough, the bulb lit up.

Now, I don't know if the bulb the dealer sold me was bad or if my prior attempt was lacking something.

Anyway, I am glad this thing is over.
 
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H
#450 ·
Found a video on YouTube detailing this very job and got mine done last night with the radio shack bulb....not too difficult, just took a little time...had to remove the cluster for an inoperative temp gauge light as well...had to remove the top cover for the steering column to get the cluster out of its home but everything works good now! Great write up here though!
 
P
#455 ·
Never mind. I contacted parts shop at Honda dealership. He said he don't think he can get the bulb I need. It looks like the clock is an LCD display just above the knobs for the audio unit. Honda doesn't sell any of the internal parts for the audio unit, just some of the knobs on the outside. They would have to send the unit out to an audio repair place to fix it. Bummer.
 
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#456 ·
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#460 ·
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