Accord- When hlights on, no radio lights.

Hello.
I have a 92 Accord. When I turn on my headlights, the light on my radio, where you see the station number, doesnt work, it goes dark. However, when i turn off my headlights, it does work. What could this be?

 

The radio lights dim when the headlights come on. They *are* controlled
somewhat by the dash light dimmer. Try brightening that.

 

Indian Summer

Actually, they're not.

 

Automatic dimming keyed to the lights. Same with dash clock, etc.

 

where you see the station number, doesnt work, it goes dark. However, when i
turn off my headlights, it does work. What could this be?

Try playing with the dimmer.

 

No its not the dimmer. I tried it and the radio lights still dont work when headlights on. But it does when they off. Any other ideas?

 

As others have mentioned, the stereo display is supposed to dim when you
turn on the lights. My guess is that the low intensity mode is dead due
to internal failure in the stereo. The easiest fix would be to pull out
the radio and cut the dash lights wire going to it. If you do, be sure
to insulate the wires after you cut them (electrical tape, heat shrink
tubing or similar).

If you know someone familiar with electronics perhaps you can bribe them
to have a look at your stereo. Electrically speaking it should be a
simple problem to fix. Getting physical access inside a tightly packed
car stereo requires a bit of manual dexterity.

 

If you decide to cut the wire, check
http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/Honda/PDF/466033.pdf for
instructions on how to pull out the stereo. The wire to cut is the "Dash
Light Dimmer Wire", labeled "K" in the instructions.

 

The pdf indicates a dash light dimmer wire but does not indicate polarity.
Dimmer wire is negative when turned on. Parking light positive when turned
on. The service manual shows parking lights to the back of stereo. Flip on
the headlights, which ever wire responds, on back of stereo, snip it off.

To insulate the wires after you cut them heat the wire tip with a lighter.
Pull the wire to outward to hide the conductor. This is another reliable way.

when headlights on. But it does when they off. Any other ideas?