The clock on my 2001TL without the navigation system went to the dark side. The clock still works you just can't see it at night. The dealer wants $150.00 just to "check it out" to find the problem and then charge me whatever it costs to fix it. Has anyone taken a dash apart enough to get the clock out?

 

My Honda Odyssey has the same problem... It's like a $3 bulb...but they have to take the whole dash apart to get to it... Poor supportability design...

I just deal with the dark clock...and use my overhead map light when I need to see the time... I have heard folks say that even if you are willing to spend the money to get it done, you always risk introducing new rattles and noises in the dash when you take the thing apart...

 

the tl is extremly easy to do (and i bet teh odyssey is just as easy)

use this link CLICK HERE to remove teh dash piece to replace the bulb. (go up to step 4)

 

Hmmm... Are you saying that you first remove the gauge cluster and then fish out the light bulb in the center console from where the gauges are?

 

when you pull out the black trim piece (its all 1 big peice) the gauges stay in place. But the clock light is attached to the piece you pulled out.

 

I followed that link when doing my dash, and it caused a huge problem cause it was missing 1 vital part.

I wish I took pics while I was doing my dash, cuz I would be able to write a detailed DIY.

I'll just detail what's missing here as best as I can:

1) You need to disassemble the steering column, or you will NOT be able to take the dash out once it's off. It's just 3 screws on the underside of the column. After removing the 3 screws, the column will be loose but won't open w/o a bit of force/jiggling around since they're held together with that sort of tab/socket configuration. The lower portion of the steering column will not come off, but it'll be hanging down by some wires. That's fine, you really only need the top of the column to come off.

2) The left side of the dash comes out the easiest. Start there and work your way towards the middle/top. I jammed 2 screwdrivers under the middle of the dash right above the gauges and slid them side to side to help loosen it. It doesn't damage anything, and it makes things easier on your fingers.

3) The far right side where the clock is is the HARDEST to remove. All I can say is do it slowly! I actually broke some retaining tabs there, but it hasn't been a problem. 1 tab/connector will NOT make a difference... 2 or 3 might though, so be careful! It snaps back in all the same, and there are no new squeaks/rattles.


Again, remove the steering column first. If you take the dash off w/o doing so, you'll be stuck in this position where you can't get the dashboard out, and you can't put it back in, which makes getting the steering column off at this point an immense pain in the butt, which is what I had to do.

When everything's off, it looks like this:

 

Really??? I gotta go out and check out my Odyssey... I don't recall the clock being attached at all to the black trim of the gauge cluster...

Thanks...

 

Hmm. We took my brothers car apart and didn't have to take the steering column apart. Just tilt it down and then "manueve" the dash pieces around the steering wheel.

 

you dont need to take the colum apart. it will come out over it. i have done it myself a hand full of times

 

That's odd, i really couldn't get it off w/o taking apart the column. It can't hurt.. takes a minute to do.. just 3 screws.

 

Did you put any stiroform material when you put the dash back in to prevent some squeaks/rattles? I need to do the job for my climate control button light bulb replacement and i'm planning to put some stuff between the dash and the panel to reduce some squeaks/rattles.

 

I did not. I have no unwanted noises or fitment problems.

 

i had the same problem, and dealer told me same price...then i started a thread just like this....someone (i forgot who) told me to give it a wack (i thought they were nuts till i tried it) and it worked! i laughed when it lit up

so take ur fist and give it a few quick bangs on the face of the clock and the light magically comes on- i promise!

 

sometimes just the bulb was loosen... I fixed mine twice... first time the bulb did die and the second time it was just loosen.. it's not hard... if I can do it, anyone can do it..

 

This worked like a charm in my car too. Easiest thing I ever fixed.

 

If banging on the dash doesn't help, then taking apart the dash and replacing the little bulb isn't too hard. I've done it through the DIY instructions found on another thread and didn't have to take apart the steering column (although I can see how this may be easier for some people.) Don't let the service techs rip you off for this! Once you do it, you'll wonder how they could have kept a straight face while quoting you $$$ to do what you can do by yourself in about 30 mins.