HELP: HVAC Temp & Speed Lighting Out ???

[mysticbluemaui]

Hi, all

I'm new here and this is a really cool site. I was hoping you all could help me with an issue I've been having with my '93 10th Anniversary's HVAC speed and temperature knob lights. Something seems to be up with them as they come on at times and don't at others. The original owner had the dealer replace the temperature knob a couple of years ago. I notice that sometimes when I push the knob in tighter or play with the temperature setting a little bit it usually comes on. Now that it's gotten a bit colder here in the Pacific Northwest, I've noticed that this trick doesn't work right away.

The service advisor told me that it would probably be too expensive to fix it because they'd have to take the panels off and go into the dash and that if it were his car he'd just deal with it since it's "an old car." Well, I'm not sure how accurrate his comment really is but I wonder if you guys have any suggestions or if maybe have dealt with this issue with your cars before? If so, I'd like to remedy this because it DOES bother me. Thanks in advance!

[deckeda]

... Something seems to be up with them as they come on at times and don't at others ... I notice that sometimes when I push the knob in tighter or play with the temperature setting a little bit it usually comes on. ...

This was me the last couple of years also. Now they don't come on at all. Well, one time a month ago.

The service advisor told me that it would probably be too expensive to fix it because they'd have to take the panels off and go into the dash and that if it were his car he'd just deal with it since it's "an old car." ...

Spooky. This is exactly the sentiment expressed to me as well. I've read that it isn't too difficult to take off the front dash piece that surrounds it, and from there you can remove the HVAC control, like taking out a radio sorta.

*** I haven't set aside the time to tackle this yet myself. One thing that gives me pause is that like you, I know the bulbs are still good, so maybe the contacts in the HVAC unit are weak and ... ***

I can only surmise that digging into the HVAC control takes a little more time and that this is what the dealer objects to.

But you have to wonder, if it's all money coming in, why would they care? Why not just give an honest quote and let the customer decide?

Perhaps our own mr.honda will weigh in on this as to why two dealers would give this same seemingly odd advice; he's a Honda dealer tech I believe.

[mysticbluemaui]

I can only surmise that digging into the HVAC control takes a little more time and that this is what the dealer objects to.

But you have to wonder, if it's all money coming in, why would they care? Why not just give an honest quote and let the customer decide?

Perhaps our own mr.honda will weigh in on this as to why two dealers would give this same seemingly odd advice; he's a Honda dealer tech I believe.

Yeah, I'm not mechanically inclined in the least so almost all of the work done on my car is done at the dealership. You could be right that they didn't want to waste time fiddling with something like this where there are no guarantees that they will even fix the problem after hours of messing with it. I know I'd be a lil irritated if I was charged for a few hours of "work" and nothing was fixed. I just figured maybe one of the guys on here might've dealt with it or sometimes the service techs that belong to these forums share their secrets

[deckeda]

Yeah, I'm not mechanically inclined in the least ...

Well, in that case I think your options will be limited here, as these types of forums cater to the DIY-er. I mean, what's the alternative? Getting advice on what to say to the service tech? You've already done that.

You may want to seek out an independent Honda mechanic familiar with the situation who has the confidence to tackle the job.

My opinion is that the biggest impediment to doing the odd repair job on any car is owner's lack of gumption.

But I'm not here to talk you into doing something you don't want to attempt, just telling don't expect much help here if you don't at least try it yourself first and then post a specific question if and when you get stuck.

[mysticbluemaui]

Well, in that case I think your options will be limited here, as these types of forums cater to the DIY-er. I mean, what's the alternative? Getting advice on what to say to the service tech? You've already done that.

You may want to seek out an independent Honda mechanic familiar with the situation who has the confidence to tackle the job.

My opinion is that the biggest impediment to doing the odd repair job on any car is owner's lack of gumption.

But I'm not here to talk you into doing something you don't want to attempt, just telling don't expect much help here if you don't at least try it yourself first and then post a specific question if and when you get stuck.

I may not be mechanically inclined but I CAN follow directions. And if I don't do it my boyfriend (who IS mechanically inclined) can do it for me. I figured if someone else had the same problem they might have some suggestions on what I could possibly do. When I said almost all the work done on my car has been at the dealership I was referring to services, etc since that's all this car has required thus far. Geez. If I wasn't interested in trying to tinker with it a little myself I wouldn't have posted the question. You didn't have to be such an @$$. Glad most of the other people on here have been a lot more welcoming.

[deckeda]

mysticbluemaui, excuse me, but where is this crankiness coming from? I genuinely tried to help you! I suppose I'll think twice before doing so again.

You have me confused with someone who should have been able to read your mind.

You gave no indication that you might be attempting this fix yourself --- in fact you only mentioned your proclivity to go to the dealer and your lack of desire to do repairs yourself.

I didn't realize you might be willing to try it --- you need to be mechanically inclined at least a little in order to do any fix, and you said you weren't at all. I also didn't know you had a willing friend that might attempt this fix. Should I have assumed this too?

You didn't have to be such an @$$. Glad most of the other people on here have been a lot more welcoming.

I object to this. I have been nothing but civil, forthcoming, showed empathy and offered suggestions based on the information given. And unless I'm mistaken we've never spoken prior to this thead, and this isn't the "introduce yourself" forum.

I'm sorry I can't give you an immediate step-by-step fix ( I said I was in the same boat as you; but I'll know next time to instead stay quiet ) and that no one yet has relieved you of the burden of reading only my responses.

[mysticbluemaui]

I'm sorry I can't give you an immediate step-by-step fix ( I said I was in the same boat as you; but I'll know next time to instead stay quiet ) and that no one yet has relieved you of the burden of reading only my responses.

Thanks, that would be great.

[deckeda]

You're welcome!