This 2002 Honda Accord came in with the complaint that the blower worked but nothing else on the a/c control assembly worked or would even light up. I started by checking the #3 fuse in the driver’s side interior fuse box (7.5 amp) and the #13 fuse in the passenger side interior fuse box (7.5 amp). Both fuses were good. Time to remove the a/c control assembly for testing of the harness. First I removed the two lower retaining screws.
Then I used a small screwdriver to pop the clock and hazard switch assembly from the dash.
With the panel removed I could now access the one hidden screw and pulled the panel with the a/c control assembly out of the dash.
I then removed the control assembly from the panel.
Then reconnected it to the wiring for testing.
I had to disconnect the control assembly to get better pictures of the wires. First I checked for ignition power on the black/yellow wire at position 2. Good
Then I checked for battery power on the white/yellow at position 3. Good
Then I checked for continuous ground on the black wire at position 9. Good
Diagnosis and replacement of faulty a/c control assembly.
If the bulbs are removable, take the bulbs out and either do an ohms test on the element with a meter or connect power and ground to the two bulb leads/contacts. If the circuit is open or the bulbs do not light when connected to power and ground, then the bulbs simply failed. Probably on their way out and moving them around finished them off.
Everything functions properly. I replaced the three bulbs with white bases. At night my rear defroster, recirculate and a/c controls (the buttons themselves) did not illuminate. Since one was bad, I figured I would replace all three. After re-reading this thread, I realize it is mostly focusing on the functioning of these controls. I apologize, but after lots of searching this is the only thread I could find that seemed to be in the ballpark. Many thanks for your reply!
Which bulbs were changed in the ac control assembly and why? Is your problem only with back lighting or do you have a blower issue as well?
After replacing the bulbs behind the climate control on my 2001 Accord value package, the light behind the fan control and the backlight for the clock no longer work. I know the clock has a bulb. It looks fine to me, but could be shot, but I am wondering if these two bulbs are the same circuit because it seems to be too much of a coincidence. There is a bulb that is on 2 black wires coming out of the climate control unit that does not light up anymore, which may be the cause for the fan control, but I don’t know what the problem is with it or how to diagnose it. thank you in advance.
I would suspect a faulty blower speed resistor. It will be located under the passenger side of the dash. Possibly behind the glove box. I do not have a repair article for this problem on your vehicle.