[lfox]

I bought the car about a month ago and it's been almost flawless so far (especially for a car with 179000 miles). However, I believe I have a broken trip button. I read the manual a few times over to make sure I wasn't overlooking anything usage-wise. The button just doesn't work.

Is this something only a dealer could fix, or would it be possible for either me or the local auto shop to fix it? I have little mechanical (or electrical) expertise.

My nearest dealer is 100 miles away, so I'd like to avoid the trip if possible.

Thanks!

 

[flymuck]

What do you mean, you broke it? Did you physically break the plastic knob, or does it just not do what it's supposed to?

Did you press the FCD button, perchance?

Or did the entire display disappear?

 

[lfox]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. It just doesn't work. It hasn't since I got the car. Pushing it does nothing.

I can still view the "segment" trip and lifetime mileage by pressing the FCD button, but I can't do anything with the trip button. Everything works fine, I just can't view Trip A or B, only the lifetime mileage or the "segment" mpg+miles.

I'm basically wondering if this could be a problem with a fuse, etc. that I could fix (though a fuse would be unlikely as everything else works fine... right?).

 

[3-Wheeler]

Hi lfox,

I don't have my manual in front of me right now, but it seems that the FCD button is a toggle between two trip modes.

Push the FCD button once, and the total vehicle mileage shows up. Push it again and the trip A and B are displayed.

To reset either the trip A or B, simply hold the trip button down for about two seconds and that particular trip reading should be zeroed.

If that doesn't work, then the trip button probably really does not work. I have read reports here that others have had the same problem.

Jim.

 

[flymuck]

I'm confused, or I have a different car.

Mine works as such:

Given the current state of the full odometer displaying, pressing the trip button will cycle thru A, B, and full odometer.

Pressing the FCD button at any time, once, will give you the current FCD (miles since it was last reset, although I think it wraps around at some point).

Press the FCD button again to go back to the odo/Trip A/Trip B display, whichever it was on when you switched to FCD.

So, what you're saying is, when the full odometer reading is displayed, pressing the trip button does not switch you between A, B, and full? It doesn't do *anything*? As opposed to it makes the full odometer display go away, for example? It acts like you didn't press a button at all?

If that's the case, I doubt there's a fuse that would help you. There are some parts of the display you can turn off, sometimes by accident, which is why I'm trying to clarify what "does nothing" means.

Do you still see the instant mpg graph in *all* displayable modes?

-fly

 

[lfox]

So, what you're saying is, when the full odometer reading is displayed, pressing the trip button does not switch you between A, B, and full? It doesn't do *anything*?

Correct.

Do you still see the instant mpg graph in *all* displayable modes?

Yes. I can see it in the both modes available (lifetime odometer and FCD segment).

 

[flymuck]

Wow, that is truly, truly broken! Does it feel like you're pushing something when you push the trip button? Mine feels a little spongy, but it definitely moves (in both Insights). I don't think there's any way to disable the trip feature... but that might be another way to search for the issue.

All I can hope for is that if we keep up this dialog, and keep the post visible in the "new posts" search, maybe someone with more knowledge or experience with this kind of issue will jump in and help out. I'm afraid I've exhausted my rather small set of ideas (which mostly involved hoping you were describing the problem wrong ).

-fly

Edit: a quick google search found this link, which describes the same "problem" with the solution involving the FCD button:

http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f11/trip-odometer-button-doesnt-work-5654/

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

The trip button is a simple momentary button with a conductive rubber pad that contacts bare copper lands on the display PC board, like on a tv remote control.
The PC board lands that act as contacts can corrode and make it unusable.
My "flood" salvaged silver Insight had what sounds like the same problem. I pressed the trip button about 500 times while pushing slightly sideways in all directions to get a bit of scrubbing action, and it now works. I have not opened the dash display, but the old pencil eraser cleaning technique of the circuit board contacts would also fix it.
good luck.

 

[Hybrid-Battery-Repair]

Here are some pictures:

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Looks like it is a tact switch, which is about $1 to replace, and is different than what I expected. Internally it works the same.

 

[lfox]

Looks like it is a tact switch, which is about $1 to replace, and is different than what I expected. Internally it works the same.

So you still recommend pushing it repeatedly slightly sideways to fix it? Or is there a part I need to fix it?

Also, Chris from Buffalo suggested a new gauge pod when I spoke with him on the phone.

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

The repeated pressing fixed mine, so try that first.
If that fails, pull the display, and gain access to the switch PC board.
To confirm that the switch is the problem, put an ohm meter across the switch and see if the resistance drops to a low value. Compare the on value with the other switch. Once you have it out, and can measure the mounting tab spacing, you should be able to find a replacement switch at Mouser or some other on line electronics vendor.
Majestic honda shows the whole PC board with switches for $23.
Honda Automotive Parts
Good luck let us know if you fix it.

 

[Hybrid-Battery-Repair]

So you still recommend pushing it repeatedly slightly sideways to fix it? Or is there a part I need to fix it?

Well it sure can't hurt

If it works, you're fixed. If not, replace the switch.

 

[Hybrid-Battery-Repair]

Majestic honda shows the whole PC board with switches for $23.

That's probably the best way to go if wiggling it doesn't free it up. The board just clips in with a small electrical connector. It would be kind of small to solder and (my opinion) well worth $23. Had I known, I would have replaced mine instead of replacing the cluster.

Getting to it is very easy.

1. Remove the 4 nuts that hold up the steering column and let it drop to the floor.
2. With a pair of pliers, pull out the small cover that hides a bolt in the center vent outlets. (You have to pull on one of the vanes next to the vent in the center of the dashboard.)
3. Remove that bolt and the entire cluster trim surround pulls off.
4. Remove 4 bolts and pull out the cluster.
5. Release the 6 catches around the back of the cluster plus the one in the center.
6. Now you have access to the board.

20 minute job

 

[talonmike]

Thanks for the tip ogregev.

The shop manual say to remove the air bag + sterring, and I did not want to do that.


I removed my trim with the steering in place and it is very painfull to do.

 

[IamIan]

why does the Majestic link read.... required 2 ????

 

[joecvt]

Only one is required if you are are just buying as a replacement for the trip buttons. The same board is used for the dash brightness buttons so 2 are required in the entire cluster but it does not apply to this scenario.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

 

[jlingenf]

The repeated pressing fixed mine, so try that first.
If that fails, pull the display, and gain access to the switch PC board.
To confirm that the switch is the problem, put an ohm meter across the switch and see if the resistance drops to a low value. Compare the on value with the other switch. Once you have it out, and can measure the mounting tab spacing, you should be able to find a replacement switch at Mouser or some other on line electronics vendor.
Majestic honda shows the whole PC board with switches for $23.
Honda Automotive Parts
Good luck let us know if you fix it.

I just bought a 2000 insight MT. I was able to reset my trip button with about 300 repeated pressing with a twisting motion. Thanks

 

[lfox]

After spending some time pushing and wiggling the button, I discovered that if I pressed the button in hard, and then pushed it down, the button works.

In other words, I push forward all the way, then down while maintaining a strong forward force.

I have to do this every time to switch between trips, but it's not a big enough hassle to warrant further time being dedicated to it.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[Hybrid-Battery-Repair]

After spending some time pushing and wiggling the button, I discovered that if I pressed the button in hard, and then pushed it down, the button works.

In other words, I push forward all the way, then down while maintaining a strong forward force.

I have to do this every time to switch between trips, but it's not a big enough hassle to warrant further time being dedicated to it.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Buy the replacement board. It will become a big hassle when it comes time to put out the oil change light.