Dashboard lights in '89 Honda Civic

How many individual lamps are there in the dashboard and console of a
'89 Civic DX sedan?

Last week I asked a local Honda dealer to change all dashboard an
console lamps as the original backlights are burning a bit dim afte
all these years. The console lights -where the heater, fan and A/
controls are- are now as bright and shiny as I wanted and expected, ye
the instrument cluster remains as dim as before.

The service guys claim they did change all lamps, and that th
difference may be due to the natural aging/yellowing of the clea
plastic. But as my bill shows that only two lamps were changed an
charged, I suspect that for some reason they simply did not change al
lamps.

If I can find out for sure how many lamps were supposed to have bee
changed I could go back to the dealer and demand a proper job.

Thanks in advance

 

It's probably more likely the rheostat has some corrosion/dirt/carbon on it
afer all these years.

 

Thanks for your reply.

Are you then suggesting that I should have the rheosta
checked/replaced instead? Would you happen to know where exactly thi
rheostat is located, or perhaps point me to a PDF, diagram or othe
reference?

Thanks in advance

 

The rheostat is the dimmer switch. However, you should take a look at my
other post.

Eric

 

There are 2 lamps in the center console by the heater control levers.

The number of bulbs in the speedometer assembly varies with the
manufacturer. If it's a Nippon Seiki type then there are 8 bulbs. However,
if it's a Nippon Denso type then there are 6 bulbs. This data is from the
Helm factory service manual pages 23-94 and 23-95.

Eric

 

Eric,

That's exactly what I needed to know. My speedometer assembly read
"NS" in tiny script next to the trip odometer reset, so it must be a
8-bulb Nippon Seiki.

I really appreciate your taking the time to look this up

 

If your dimmer varies the brightness of your heater bulbs, your dimmer is
good. The Honda guys may have missed a few burned out bulbs. They should
be checked with an ohm meter. Good luck.

 

Indeed, the dimmer still works quite well. By now it's quite obvious t
me that they simply didn't change the bulbs as I asked them to and tha
their line about new bulbs not burning bright due to aging of the clea
plastic is just that, a line.

Now I'm trying to get the service manager to return my calls. They ca
smell trouble when a customer insists on talking to the manager. :

 

Why not schedule an appointment with the Dealership's General manager, face
to face. Be positive and say you're a loyal Honda customer but that you
have not been treated fairly and you're very upset. Then say nothing when
the Manager asks what he can do. Just look at him and see what is
offered. Good luck.

 

Problem solved. I finally got through to the service manager, h
investigated and called back later with an apology. He asked me to tak
the car in whenever it's convenient and assured me that he'll personall
see to it that the job does get done this time, no extra charge.

No doubt it'll be a learning opportunity both for the mechanic who wa
too lazy to do his job and for the service rep who proferred this B
about the bulbs having been replaced but not burning bright due t
aging of the instrument panel.

Thanks from Santiago, Chile to everyone who helped