Gauge cluster not working, shift interlock will not release?

Tiny
CHRIS OLIVER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 ACURA EL
  • 1.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 413,000 MILES
I have the car listed above with the dreaded headlight/DRL buzz, headlight burning out on the regular. For the last few years, I just kept the #12 fuse (under dash, DRL) pulled. No daytime running lights, and no right-side high beam, but no big deal, since it was an "emergency only" vehicle, and spent most of it's time parked. Anyways, I recently re-insured it fully and was informed I would need it inspected, considering the age, and the fact I'd had it on only park insurance for a few years. I tried tracing down the buzzing relay behind the glove box, by the main relays, and in the process, I must have bumped something or knocked something loose. Right now, she starts, idles, and drives great. Except I have no speedometer, no tachometer, no odometer/trip meter readout, no MIL (which is normally lit due to the downstream O2 sensor needing replacing), and the security led (flashing orange/red) doesn't turn off when the car is running. Also, the shift lock is engaged, making it impossible to shift out of park without pressing the override. The brake lights work, and signal lights, basically everything, except a good chunk of the cluster not working and the shift lock. It was all working before I started poking around. The only relays I actually fiddled with were the main PGM-FI relays, and that was only to drop the support they're mounted on, so I could see the rest clearly. I'm stumped. I've checked all the fuses I could find on the wiring diagrams in my service manual that might apply to the drive circuit, and they're all good. Any ideas?
Sunday, October 2nd, 2022 AT 6:10 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,967 POSTS
Yep, it sounds like you shorted out the MICU inside the driver's side multiplex, but I would check all fuses before replacing it.

Here is a guide to help you check the fuses and to see if they have power:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
CHRIS OLIVER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I don't think so, unless it's the most selective short ever. Keyless/power door locks work fine, as do the wipers and key in reminder. I'll check the power to the rest of the fuses as soon as I have a chance, but everyone I checked in the drive circuit was good, both fuse and power flow. Thinking about power got me thinking though. I tested relays, but not power. Just checked, and I have power to my main PGM-FI relays, obviously, but I have no power to what I believe is the reverse light relay, right next to the main relays, on the same support point. I'm trying to find the circuit in my manual now, but it's a pain, since I'm using the 2003 Civic EX service manuals. Can't get my hands on the EL one, since it seems to be a unicorn. Lots of things almost exactly the same, but just a hair different in some cases.
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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
CHRIS OLIVER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Solved! Number 10 fuse, under dash, looked fine when I glanced at it, had power going to it. Was actually blown, right down by the spade, instead of the thinner/meant to burn through portion. I don't know how I missed it; except I was in a rush. Must have bumped the relay when I was removing the support and shorted it somehow. Everything is going gangbusters now. Thanks guys. Seriously, just having that power checking suggestion got my mind going on what I had done, and more importantly, what I had missed. ;)
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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,967 POSTS
Yep, nice find. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 2:16 PM

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