How to Repair the Instrument Panel Lights in a Honda CRV

by Chris Moore

detail: glowing dashboard image by davidcrehner from Fotolia.com

The cluster lights within the CRV's instrument panel are essential to safe driving at night. Excessive driving in dark conditions can lead to the lights eventually burning out. You will need to remove the instrument cluster from the dashboard to change the bulbs and repair the lights. This exact process can vary depending on the exact year of the Honda vehicle, especially regarding the trim panels surrounding the cluster.

Removal

Step 1

Disconnect the CRV's negative battery cable. Wait at least three minutes to ensure the air bag is powerless.

Step 2

Open the fuse box in the underside of the dash and the driver's side pocket and then remove the fasteners inside their openings. Grab the lower instrument panel cover and remove it by the lower clips first and then the upper clips.

Step 3

Unscrew the screws for the lower steering column cover and remove the upper and lower steering column covers.

Step 4

Grasp the instrument cluster bezel and pull it back to detach its clips from the dashboard and remove it.

Step 5

Remove the three screws for the instrument cluster at the top and the bottom corners and pull the cluster out of the panel, unplugging the electrical connectors in the rear.

Step 6

Turn the bulb holders and remove them from the rear end of the instrument cluster.

Step 7

Pull the bulb out of the bulb holder.

Installation

Step 1

Insert the new bulb into the holder. Do not touch it with your bare fingers; use a cloth or gloves.

Step 2

Insert the bulb holder back into the instrument cluster.

Step 3

Insert the instrument cluster back into the panel, connecting the electrical connectors and applying the three screws.

Step 4

Reconnect the instrument cluster bezel with its clips, then reconnect the steering column covers with their screws and the lower panel cover with its clips and fasteners.