Long writeup of trip button repair

[chisight]

This is not original work, I'm simply consolidating what Ron (HBR), mdawley4, Artric, mikemo and others said and tacking on a bit from my experience doing the repair. Special thanks to kennysmith who generously sent a pair of the Digikey switches to me for free!

Tools required:
Gas Pliers wrapped in electrical tape
#2 phillips screwdriver
Medium flat screwdriver
Socket wrench with:
10mm socket
12mm socket
Socket extender

Optional Tools and materials:
Soldering iron
Solder wick or solder puller tool
Solder

Materials required:
2 units of: Digi-Key - CKN9954-ND (Manufacturer - KSA0M911LFT) Digi-Key - CKN9954-ND (Manufacturer - KSA0M911LFT)
OR
1 unit of: item 011 here: Honda button board from Majestic for $25.34

Instructions:
1) Save radio station presets.
2) Disconnect battery negative (-) terminal.
3) Remove 3 phillips screws from lower column cover.

4) Pull hard on the bottom of the lower column cover to release the clips that hold it on. There are only 3 screws, if it won't come off then pull harder.
5) Wait 15 minutes for the airbags to become safe before continuing.
6) Remove 4 12mm nuts from the steering column support and gently lower the column, avoid scratching the gray dashboard plastic which will be the only thing supporting the steering column.

7) Remove Screw cover from right edge of cluster trim using gas pliers wrapped in electrical tape.

8 ) Remove 3 phillips screws from cluster trim, 1 from far right and 2 from under the sun screen over the instrument cluster.
9 ) Pull instrument cluster trim off starting at the right and allow it to hang on it's wires.

10) Remove 4 phillips screws from instrument cluster.
11) Remove 2 (3 on CVT) cables from the back of the cluster by pressing down on their releases and pulling. This frees the cluster to be removed from the car.
12) Pry apart the 6 catches from around the semitransparent white cover and the 1 catch in the center using a flat screwdriver.
13) Remove 1 screw from button board and unclip the board. The clips will break, remove any loose pieces to avoid rattles. (see thumbnail of circuit board below)
14) Unplug the board.
15) Either solder new switches on or discard the old board. If soldering switches in, pay careful attention to the height, make sure the button top is at the same height as the original buttons, if using the Digikey switches, there will be about 1mm between the switch body and the board.

Assemble in reverse order and test. Metric/english must be held several seconds to change. The maintenance reminder is reset per this procedure: InsightCentral.net - Honda Insight Maintenance Information

The original long thread is here: Trip button doesn't work

[kennysmith]

Nice post. I've saved the link in case I ever do get around to mine. Working the switch the way Mike suggested has kept mine operational, but it does not work nicely like a new switch would. I also still have switches I'd be happy to send out for free to US addresses if you want to PM me. My offer if for 2 free switches.

EDIT 3/14/12: All switches are gone now. No more free switches. It was fun! Thanks to all who asked for them.

[Vigo]

Look, im helping!

[Vigo]

Tada

[retepsnikrep]

I've just done one of mine took about 45 mins inc repairing switch. Two more to do now

[Edit]

Done second one now

[Edit]

Now done all three cars must do my spare cluster as well.

[TopFuelTim]

Thank you so much for posting this. I actually posted in the Buy / Sell section, but Highwater recommended I post here. I had the dash out, replaced the switches, goofed around a little, and finished the job all in less than 45 minutes. You helped make this easy, and it is sooooooooo nice to have the switches working again. I was going to do my daughter's Insight first, but went ahead and took care of mine. Just ordered eight more switches from Digi-Key (four for my daughter and four for a spare set).

Take care,
Tim Glover

[jime]

Great procedural write-up. Did mine today. What a difference

[monoque]

A few pics on the actual switch replacement, as it might help those who are DIY. Having done a few of these now, the process below seems to be quickest.

The items you will need. Or the stuff I use anyway. I won't go into detail on the soldering process itself, but if your wanting to learn, this is a pretty straightforward thing to learn on. Just note the gotcha's mentioned below.

Randall

[monoque]

I find it easiest to cut the old switches off with sharp side cutters.
There are no circuit traces on the switch side of the board, so you don't have to worry about cutting a trace.

[monoque]

Then using a hot iron on the switch side, and needle nose pliers on the back side, touch the old switch legs one at a time and pull them out from the back side, with the needle nose. (iron was not hot for this pic)

Then touch the holes again from the switch side with a hot iron, and suck out the left over solder from the back side with a solder sucker. It looks like a hypodermic needle, available at the china tool store for about 5 bucks US.