More: the replacement circuit board just plugs in.
The old switch is encapsulated, no easy way to clean it. I tried Contact Cleaner, didn't help. The switch IS one of those rubber cones with some sort of soft conductor printed on the back, that contacts two metal nibs inside the switch. The plastic button that you can see just contacts the top of the rubber cone. Twisting and skewing will have limited range to move the rubber cone. Maybe that's why it never worked for me to restore operation.
I replaced mine with one from an old phone circuit board. The form factor (dimensions of soldering pins, height etc.) seems common.
Not mentioned in this thread is why Honda failed. Somehow they failed to qualify these switches for extended use. I don't think that anything but air can get to the switch contacts, I think they just naturally degraded with age (although my car does have a lot of salty corrosion, probably even in the air.)
Another design flaw for Honda: there should be a backup for some functions, like resetting the Maintenance Required light using the Trip button. I can live without the Trip function but couldn't live with the MR light on all the time, so I had to fix the trip switch. Would have been nice if a computer could have talked to the instrument gauge cluster and reset the MR light, in case the Trip switch fails.
Another design flaw: the switches are in poor locations, you must twist to get to them and they are behind the steering wheel.
Another design flaw: too many of these buttons: I never switch to metric. That button should be a computer function that the dealer, or an OBD reader, could set.
The Insight is very nice, but not exquisitely thought out. Granted, much of the technology is new, but switches on the dashboard failing?
OK, it should have GPS built in and convert to metric automatically?
There ought to be a law that you can't switch while driving? Sort of like texting while driving, requires too much attention, and in this case, to twist your arm behind the steering wheel.
I wonder if other cars with electronic displays have the button, and where it is?
Me, my 2000 Insight is my newest car.
What other English countries besides the US have borders with metric countries?
Would have been nice if a computer could have talked to the instrument gauge cluster and reset the MR light, in case the Trip switch fails.
How would the computer know there is a failure when the mechanics of the switch no longer work...The computer just "thinks" no one is pressing this button.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bootchk
Another design flaw: the switches are in poor locations, you must twist to get to them and they are behind the steering wheel.
Many cas have the trip button on the gauge cluster (behind the steering wheel). For ergonomics, Honda did put the FCD button in a more user freindly location. Perhaps they were thinking that the FCD button would be used most so it is located in a better location and is more likely a better quality switch mechanism for excessive usage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bootchk
Another design flaw: too many of these buttons: I never switch to metric. That button should be a computer function that the dealer, or an OBD reader, could set.
As mentioned earlier, some people crossing borders find it useful to switch the speedo from MPH to KPH. Automatic GPS could be done but at what cost on a car that already cost Honda dollars to produce.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bootchk
The Insight is very nice, but not exquisitely thought out. Granted, much of the technology is new, but switches on the dashboard failing?
I have a possible reason for this button failing (that may apply to some). First, the trip button is the same design as the dash + / - brightness buttons and the MPH / KPH button. So why is it that only the trip button seems to fail. I believe it is partially human error to a point. We are impatient. Ever watch the people at intersections pushing the button to cross. They keep on pushing the button thinking the more they push it, the quicker the lights will tell them it's OK to cross. Not to mention what we do with the elevator button while waiting for it to arrive on our floor.
I think that this is kind of what we are doing (to a point) with the trip button. There is a small delay built into the programming if you want to reset the trip meter or even a longer delay to press and hold to turn off the Maintenance required light. This is a multi-purpose button. When we push it in and see nothing happening right away, we tend to push it in even harder thinking it wasn't pushed it hard enough to begin with. This harder pressure puts more stress on the switch causing it eventually to fail. Not to say that it is all human error (the button could be more improved) but we may be putting more than designed stress on the button. Like mentioned earlier, this button style is used in many other designs so why is it only failing in the way we use it?
JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner
__________________
2004 CVT Red Insight (purchased May 2011)
Relocated outside temp sensor near mid engine
No other mods performed yet
2003 CVT Blue Insight
Modified version of MIMA_L (with foot pedal)
Automatic warm air intake (all season)
Low Speed Auto Stop (LSAS)
ABS - IMA regen enabler (allows regen during ABS)
Relocated outside temp sensor near mid engine
Cooling fans powered by 12V Solar Panel
2001 MT Blue Insight (purchased Nov 2011)
Not registered yet
When we push it in and see nothing happening right away, we tend to push it in even harder thinking it wasn't pushed it hard enough to begin with. This harder pressure puts more stress on the switch causing it eventually to fail. Not to say that it is all human error (the button could be more improved) but we may be putting more than designed stress on the button. Like mentioned earlier, this button style is used in many other designs so why is it only failing in the way we use it?
This may be the reason for the failures. The two pairs of buttons appear to use the same exact circuit board, but nobody complains about their brightness buttons failing.
You can order the little circuit boards from Honda,
Part Number: 78148-S3Y-A01 for about USD 25.00,
or just replace the switches themselves.
I replaced all four switches in both of my Insights
with one that has a better tactile feel (300 grams).
They are manufactured by C&K, Manufacturer Part
Number: KSA0M911LFT, and are available from Digi-Key
for USD 0.52 each. Digi-Key Part Number: CKN9954-ND
mdawley4 - Great! I think that will be the route that I go. How much will they charge shipping for a few tiny switches though? I wonder where I could find it locally.
I figure that if I can solder Nintendo Wii modchips, this shouldn't be a problem.
You can order the little circuit boards from Honda,
Part Number: 78148-S3Y-A01 for about USD 25.00,
or just replace the switches themselves.
I replaced all four switches in both of my Insights
with one that has a better tactile feel (300 grams).
They are manufactured by C&K, Manufacturer Part
Number: KSA0M911LFT, and are available from Digi-Key
for USD 0.52 each. Digi-Key Part Number: CKN9954-ND
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