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Fuel Gauge goes in and out

57K views 114 replies 45 participants last post by  Calico 
#1 ·
Anyone else have a fuel gauge / odometer that goes in and out? When it's been cooler outside mine has been showing jibberish in the past, now it just plain doesn't show up until my car is warmed up. It has been suggested to me that it's a communication problem. Any ideas on how to fix? I'd rather not pay the dealership to troubleshoot and I'm not under warranty any longer.
 
#58 ·
Ok I hate to add to this but here we go. I have a 2016 hrv with 85,000 miles on it. Had the same cluster issue as everyone here. Had dealer replace cluster under warranty about 8 months ago and issue went away. Drove to work this morning and it showed up again. I'm still sticking with bad connection as a possible cause. Hopefully I can get dealer to stick to the Honda OEM parts warranty of 12 months to replace it again. Side note I have the start/stop issue as well, fun stuff haha.
 
#59 ·
I really think that it is a faulty connection or it gets dirty. Because my start stop button was almost not working at all and I took it apart and just cleaned the dirt out and that is all it took. I still have not had any issues with my odometer either so I really think it just gets dirty or a loose connection.
 
#60 ·
I've had this issue within the past year too in my 2016 with 118,000 kms in Canada. Only happens when it's cold out. If I press on the trip meter toggle stalk button a few times it comes back. It's pretty annoying. It's a safety issue in my mind if you don't know how much fuel you have, in line with faulty seatbelts, so I feel like Honda should not be charging customers if it's a defect. Sometimes, some OEMs will install the same defective parts to "buy time" to find a better solution, like what Ford was doing when their Ford Focus transmissions were bad.
 
#61 ·
Hi fellow Canadians, do you guys get a pixelated or blank fuel gauge in your HRV? If so, what are your stealerships saying? Any solutions?

It's a great car overall, just a few quality issues, but good design and style, and I do most of my own maintenance with Honda parts and have taken apart a lot of the interior, most recently to replace my cup holder which was as fragile as a Dollarama shopping bag.
 
#63 ·
I have the same problem, it started when the HR-V was right at 3 yrs old, so just past the warranty. It used to go out intermittently, sometimes it was fine, sometimes it was scrambled, and at first only in the winter. Now it seems to be out full time. My Honda dealer diagnosed the problem and recommended replacing the whole cluster, a new one is $1250. I found one for the same vehicle as mine in a salvage yard in CA for $100. Even tho the vehicle was badly sideswiped, I'm hoping the instrument cluster is fine, and it looks good, and they say it has 'no issues'. The bad news is my mechanic est is $350 to install the used one, then re-program it, not sure why that's expensive and after watching a youtube video I am tempted to do it myself, tho resetting the odometer would be an issue and having a mechanic provide paperwork for this process would be worth paying that bill so when I go to sell it, no one could question the mileage, which is only 42k.
 
#64 ·
I rook the leap of faith and removed the cluster myself. I had to buy a set of tools ($8-$20) to get the bezel off, but no problem. Had to lower and extend the steering wheel to get just enough room to reach main cable connector. But the unit is sealed up pretty tight with about 8-10 clips that all have to be released at same time to try to remove back plate. But felt like it was going to break or pull something just getting it up about an 1/8", so I stopped and snapped it all together ans reinstalled.
Now I have a permanent check engine light, a steady brake pedal light, and a flashing red Park icon. The vehicle seems to be running just fine, but I can't live with it like that. The fuel gauge seems to be working, though!
I will take it apart one more time and try a little harder, but think it will turn into one of those "tried and failed" efforts. I see where there are companies that will send you a used replacement with an added fee to reset the odometer. Wish this had made it to the level of a recall.
 
#65 ·
Same issue here I had my hrv since 2016 after the 2nd years 10000 mile it started to flickering in the winter when is cold? The push start button was a recall I fixed it before the recall my self, it took America honda 1 year to reimburse me for the oem part 150$ let me know if the instrument cluster become a recall
 
#66 ·
Hello, I have a 2018 HRV EX-L with 22k miles. I bought it about a month ago and I’m already having this problem. I do suspect it happens more often with the cold. Unfortunately I bought it at a Mazda dealer so it’s been a bit of a nightmare to have them check the issue. After finally having it checked at Mazda I was advised that the cluster would have to be replaced. I am currently waiting on whether or not it will be covered and what is the total cost and date it will be changed. It’s unfair that Honda doesn’t acknowledge this issue outright.
 
#67 ·
Hello, I have a 2016 Honda HRV. I only need one more payment to go and wouldn't you know it; I'm having the same issue that started about one month ago. I'm in California and the mornings have been colder than usual. I was wondering if it had anything to do with the cold, and as I read the previous posts, it seems everyone else notices that. I just called the dealer but my warranty has expired. The service team representative sounded like he's never heard of this. How could there be so many posts about this same issue and they've never heard of it? He said it would cost $165.00 just to do a diagnostics check, but if it doesn't happen at that time (it's random), then they won't be able to help me. It's so frustrating; I went for a Honda because they're usually good cars and now this. I'm so upset. So if anyone else has determined the exact issue, please do tell. It will be greatly appreciated. I don't want it to get worse. Thank you in advance.
 
#68 ·
Hi,

So unfortunately the dealership advised that the whole instrument panel would have to be replaced. Luckily I purchased extended warranty, so I won’t have to pay $1,400.00. I’m still waiting for the dealership to call me to do the replacement. In all honesty, I don’t think I’d ever do a Honda again. This is my first experience with the brand and within 30 days on 22k miles there’s an issue Honda won’t even acknowledge at their own cost.
 
#69 ·
I am also having the same issue and actually am going to get an oil change at Honda today. I just know they are going to want to run a diagnostic test that’s $100 ugh, it only has happened to me twice but is concerning if it were to not come back on. Really hoping it turns into a recall since so many others are having the same issue and since for now it is just an annoyance and doesn’t happen often might just hold out and hope a recall does happen.
 
#72 ·
I have a Mexican built 2016 MY HR-V and when first joining this forum took an interest in this thread as the majority of the vehicles experiencing this were built in that year. In the two years of owning my vehicle, I have not had any issues with any segment of the MID (Multi Information Display) even though we've recently had some of the coldest and wettest winters on record. We've also had some of the hottest and muggiest summers as well, to the point I purchased an A/C unit for the house!

I've had a look on the UK owners forum and cannot see any threads at all on this issue, which is a little strange considering for four years the NA and European HR-V's were built in the same factory. It would appear this issue only affects NA market vehicles.
 
#77 ·
When you say Honda, do you mean your dealer or Honda America? If it's your dealership that won't play ball, raise a complaint with Honda America.

If it's Honda America that won't change it, raise the issue with your insurer and get their legal department to act on your behalf. Not having the correct mileage is a major no-no, and will cause you no end of grief, especially when it comes to selling it.

It's not hard to reprogramme the mileage, even mom & pop garages can do it when they do engine swaps due to the original engine failing.
 
#79 · (Edited)
A Honda dealer can definitely correct the digital odometer on the replacement cluster assembly.
This is a routine procedure for all vehicles. Cluster replacement is not uncommon on other Honda's and other vehicles also.
Call around to several other Honda dealers.

I wonder if your Honda dealer doesn't want to do it since they never replaced the cluster and can't confirm the original mileage on the HRV.

Do you have documents and pics when the Mazda dealer replaced the cluster?
Proof of the original mileage before cluster replacement?
A Honda dealer should ask for some kind of proof/confirmation before changing the odometer reading on a vehicle.


No independent shop will be able to do it. Your insurance company will not be able to help either.
 
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#80 · (Edited)
No independent shop will be able to do it. Your insurance company will not be able to help either.
That must be a US limitation, as I know of an Audi specialist that does this. VAG engines are not as robust as they lead you to believe.
I have legal cover with my car insurer which I can use when in dispute over matters such as this.

Back on thread.

I would suggest that as the Mazda dealer cannot fix the issue, you put it to them they pay a Honda dealer to replaced the gauge and set the odometer to the correct mileage. Either that or they reimburse you the cost of their work as I would think this would invalidate your insurance as your mileage is incorrect.

Edit.

Another option is if you paid for the work via a credit card, inform them and get them to fight it on your behalf. Assuming the credit protection offered in the UK is the same as the US?
 
#81 ·
It used to be fairly routine that when you replaced an odometer that the mileage reset to zero. You would just note that and when you resell, tell the next buyer that the cluster was replaced at xx mileage so the actual is xx plus what ever is shown. This is also reported (or should be) to CarFax, so someone looking at your vin would see the action.

Found this in the service manual...
Head Human body Rectangle Purple Font

Font Parallel Screenshot Number Document


Font Screenshot Terrestrial plant Number Parallel
 

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#82 · (Edited)
FIXED!!! I have a 2018 HR-V LX with the same issue and after some research I found a fix that has been working for over a month now, even in temps down to the low 30's.

The problem is that solder joints on the back of the circuit board have cracked for some reason, which explains why some people see the issue when the temps get colder and the pins contract, breaking away from the runs on the circuit board. There's even a YouTube video of the display cutting in and out to the beat of a song on the radio.

1. Adjust the steering wheel down and telescope it straight out all the way.
2. Pry off the trim around the instrument cluster.
3. Remove the Phillips screws that secure the cluster to the dash.
4. Remove the one electrical connector at the top of the back of the cluster assembly.
5. Remove the back from the cluster and disconnect the 2 wire beeper connector. Once apart, you'll find 8 pins in a vertical arrangement on the lower left.
6. With a low wattage soldering iron with a clean tip and some small gauge solder, reflow the joints in the picture.
- Use rosin core solder and clean the solder with rubbing alcohol prior to soldering to remove any dirt.
- Don't overheat the connections when soldering. Alternate your soldering by starting at pin 1 then 5, then 2, then 6, etc.
7. Re-assemble the cluster and re-install.

I hope that this helps!
 
#84 ·
FIXED!!! I have a 2018 HR-V LX with the same issue and after some research I found a fix that has been working for over a month now, even in temps down to the low 30's.

The problem is that solder joints on the back of the circuit board have cracked for some reason, which explains why some people see the issue when the temps get colder and the pins contract, breaking away from the runs on the circuit board. There's even a YouTube video of the display cutting in and out to the beat of a song on the radio.
...
Just reporting that my 2018 HR-V has a similar issue and one that is more prominent in cold weather. What doesn't make a ton of sense to me is that simply hovering my hand over the cluster can either make the issue happen or make it disappear. Like really just hovering my hand a few inches over the dash. Not touching anything, not leaning on the steering wheel..just moving my hand left to right over the dash can drive this cluster crazy sometimes. Anyway the point of this post is that I was pulling the dash in preparation to inspect / solder these joints and quickly realized that the cluster was extremely sensitive to the steering wheel position. More out and up would exacerbate this cluster issue - in and down would make it go away (and the range in which there was no cluster issue still was a good amount to accommodate a lot of drivers, I think). Possible that certain positions just move a wiring harness which torques the panel or who knows. Maybe soldering is the actual fix, but also maybe just fiddling with the steering wheel position can work just as well. I'll try and pop back in if the steering wheel position ends up being a longer term fix.
 
#89 ·
This should be a recall already. My 2019 HRV just started having these problems. Gauge completely went out a week or so ago, but came back on after 5 minutes of driving. Then a few days ago, I noticed at a red light that it was showing just gibberish, but went back to normal when I started to move. Both times were in the morning on the way to work, but I live in Florida and it doesn’t get that cold. I’ve also had an issue for the past year+ that my gas gauge is wrong. It’s about 1/4 tank off and I have to rely on mileage to make sure I don’t run out of gas. I thought this was a sensor issue, but maybe it has to do with the cluster as well? Is anyone else having the gas gauge issue as well?
 
#90 ·
I never noticed a fuel gauge issue, but it was very uncommon for my gauge to go out completely, only very frequently showing gobbledygook, but the fuel gauge was still visible - although it did happen. That was part of my motivation for risking the fix. The fuel gauge disappearing was my primary concern.

After thinking about this some more though and if you're really having that issue, the whole situation is absolutely absurd. Like, I just thought the display was hosed, but the data would otherwise be fine. If what you're saying is actually happening, it seems possible / likely that your odometer isn't recording changes either - have you checked on that? That seems like a fairly big deal and something that Honda would be more motivated to fix as part of a recall rather than risk having scores of their cars under reporting mileage.

After going through this process, and seeing quotes from dealers for >$1k for the cluster alone, I chose to fix this issue myself at my own risk. Of course after, I did check out the used market. On eBay you can find troves of used clusters for <$100. All of which advertise their mileage! As others have pointed out there's probably some process for updating the mileage ... but the possibilities for fraud here are comical terrifying. It seems outrageously dumb that this data would be stored / tied to something that takes literally 10 min for anybody with two hands an a screwdriver to corrupt. After this I did attempt to figure out of my car had perhaps fallen victim to this because my car has other issues, but I'll stop there. Maybe the clusters can't just be swapped and require some update, I never tried. The cluster with the fix above has been going strong.
 
#92 ·
@Passerby Great job of posting the cause of failure, illustrations, and your repair. Thanks for posting this.

I'd say this is defiantly a manufacturing concern, since it's fairly common, and also that all of the joints have seemed to fail. Seems to me, like they may have used poor quality solder.

Since this failure is not a safety issue, I wouldn't expect a recall to be issued. However, I would think that a customer satisfaction program, such as the one for the starter button, should be issued.
 
#94 ·
@Passerby Great job of posting the cause of failure, illustrations, and your repair. Thanks for posting this.

I'd say this is defiantly a manufacturing concern, since it's fairly common, and also that all of the joints have seemed to fail. Seems to me, like they may have used poor quality solder.

Since this failure is not a safety issue, I wouldn't expect a recall to be issued. However, I would think that a customer satisfaction program, such as the one for the starter button, should be issued.
There was an issue with the CHMSL on the 8th gen Civic coupes BUT only those with the subwoofer option - the bass would vibrate and crack the solder connection causing the light (LED) to fail - it was an easy fix to just remove the light assembly and hit the 2 wires with a hot soldering iron to get the solder to re-form etc.
Sounds like Honda is still using the same solder !
 
#96 ·
I think I'd be placing a call to Honda. I'm with you, I'd never pay that kind of money to get a gas gauge fixed. Of course they may only offer to pay half, but $900 would still be too much.

I had a Saturn that the gauge crapped out on. I never did fix it. I knew what my MPG and tank capacity was and I just reset the trip-meter every time I filled up.
 
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