Dim dashboard lighting

[Lifeblood]

We are experiencing dim dashboard lighting on our 1999 Honda Odyssey. I had thought this lighting was connected to a safety recall for "Instrument Panel Lighting" (aka multiplex unit), but after we had the recall work completed, the problem remained. The effect is that, at night, we can see, approximately, the top half of our dashboard fairly clearly, but it gets dim toward the bottom, such that at night, I cannot tell how fast I am going if under about 60 MPH. I asked about this at the dealership/service center where the recall work was done, and they said it was probably a burned out lightbulb, but given the work involved in accessing the lightbulbs, the cost could go up to $250.

1) Does this sound like a burned-out lightbulb issue?
2) Is this a DIY job for a novice?
3) How much should this cost?

Also, shouldn't there be a forum on here just related to automobiles?

[Spork]

I have zero experience working on Hondas... but I'm going to guess it's not THAT hard to replace the bulbs.  I've replaced dash bulbs on Fords, Triumphs, Chevys, Toyotas... It's never been an awful ordeal for me.

[bobechs]

I remember my old Land Rover Series III.  Summer in Alaska, no problem seeing the instruments.  Winter, a real problem.

Solution- G. I. angle flashlight.  That was back before led lights and had to keep in my parka pocket because of freezing batteries.
 
Your life should be easier.

[RurallyFrugal]

Definitely sounds like a burned bulb. Those are probably early attempts at LEDs, which should be available anywhere. Taking out the instrument cluster will be a pain, but the bulb will be cheap. Worst case scenario it's a bad solder, which would probably be easier to junkyard replace, probably under $50. If you search odyclub.com for your specific issue, you can probably find detailed directions to how to get to it. It's a forum for Odyssey owners. Turns out there's a whole host of people tired of dealerships ripping them off!

[zolotiyeruki]

We had a '01 Odyssey (same generation) with similar issues on the HVAC control panel.  Yes, it's burned out light bulbs.  They're very easy to replace once you have the control panel extracted and you've sourced the parts.  Since I dabble in electronics as a hobby, I replaced them with LEDs, but bulbs are indeed cheap.

[lthenderson]

On our Odyssey, if you turn the mileage reset button sticking out, you can dim or increase the brightness of the display. I frequently have to turn my down when driving at night because it is just too bright and it can go dim enough to make the display unreadable.

[worms]

I remember my old Land Rover Series III.  Summer in Alaska, no problem seeing the instruments.  Winter, a real problem.

Solution- G. I. angle flashlight.  That was back before led lights and had to keep in my parka pocket because of freezing batteries.
 
Your life should be easier.

Ha! I had a similar issue with a Series III but at the opposite end of the continent - about 9,000 miles south of you! But who needs to see instruments!  And it saved having to have a dimmer switch on the dials!

For the OP, there seems to be plenty of sites coming up on a Google search using your make and model as search terms.

[BlueMR2]

Not familiar with Honda dashboards, but I had the combination meter (main dash display) in and out of my Mitsubishi several times last weekend while investigating a failed light.  it's super easy on that car (2 screws for bezel, 1 screw to get the steering wheel cover out of the way, 4 screws for the meter, and it slides right out as a unit with the bulbs easily accessible from the back), not at all like the cars in the '80's where you had to disassemble half the car to replace a dash light...