One of the forum members made this video. Seems you do need to replace the whole unit but it's supposed to last a long time from what I have read. Maybe you can jiggle the wires or remove the connector and hit it with some dielectric grease? He has the links to buy them in the video.

Amazon.com: Depo 317-1340R-AS Tail Light (HONDA ODYSSEY 14 BUILT ASSEMBLY INNER PASSENGER SIDE): Automotive

Buy Depo 317-1340R-AS Tail Light (HONDA ODYSSEY 14 BUILT ASSEMBLY INNER PASSENGER SIDE): Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

Thanks for your response. I did fear that this may be the answer. Seems like an expensive way to replace a lightbulb.

 

Try puling the harness, wiggling it and reinserting first before ordering a new fixture though..

 

Eh live with it.
As long the brake lights work and the rest of the LEDs work, you’re good.

 

I will just leave it alone for now. I just can’t justify spending $100 or more for replacing what should be a lightbulb.

 

It is lit by LEDs (parking lights on those center assembly and the outer tail lights. They should have a 50k+ hour life span. In this case, there is probably a small mechanical failure in the assembly (broken solder joint, etc.) that has cause the problem. Light bulbs, on the other hand will wear out much faster in most circumstances.

Is there any explanation for why it can't be repaired? Has anyone tried?

E.g., cut open the housing, reflow solder or isolate and replace the failed component.

Most people don't have the capabilities to do the repair. It very likely repairable with the right equipment and some time.

-Charlie

 

Is there any explanation for why it can't be repaired? Has anyone tried?

E.g., cut open the housing, reflow solder or isolate and replace the failed component.

My lights on my 2011 are all working fine right now, but I promise when one fails I'll be getting the Dremel and electrical / soldering equipment out before spending $100+ on a lightbulb.

 

Yikes! Check you local salvage yards.

Or....RockAuto.Com has them for $30-$40
2012 Odyssey > Body > Tail Lamp Assembly

 

I bet a good wiggle/grease of the harness will do the trick.

 

I will give it a try to see what happens.
Thanks

 

This strip is not a bulb. It is an OLED strip: optical LED. It is probably wired into the fixture under the mistaken belief that it would never fail. LEDs are supposed to have a super long life but I have had multiple LED bulbs fail possibly due to poor connections which cannot withstand the vibration of car doors opening and closing. Audi invented and uses these strips. they are not supposed to fail.

 

OLED = Organic LED, not optical LED. Different (sort of) technology to a regular LED. That isn't what is in the tail light. They are standard LEDs lighting the ends of special diffusion tubes that transmit and emit the light in the pattern you see.

The rest is correct there - they aren't 'supposed' to fail, but there are rare times where they do. Otherwise, LEDs slowly lose brightness with time (the 50k hour lifespan I listed above is a 'half-life' where they are at half of the original brightness).

-Charlie

 

Those are the LED tail lights, so they are different than the incandescent bulb lights. The regular lights are just a simple and easy bulb swap. My car has the regular lights, so I just swap in new bulbs. If this was my car, I would take the assembly off and look inside to see how it is built. You probably could replace parts yourself if you feel comfortable soldering in new LEDs.