No Display Radio Fix

04AccordEX · Jan 6, 2007

Disclaimer: I was helped by a Radio Repair Tech. Please if anyone follows this tutorial; Follow it at your own risk. I will not be responsible for any damage that might happen during this tutorial.

SORRY FOR THE PICTURE QUALITY. I WAS USING MY CELL PHONE FOR THE PICTURES. NOT BAD FOR A SONY ERCCSON W810I.

This Tutorial is Based on a 04 Accord EX 6-CD Stock Radio.

Well, I had the same problem as most in this forum regarding the 03-04 Accord EX radio display to go blank. I called American Honda, and they gave me this long story of how it’s a issue with this kind of sterios. They WILL NOT REPLACE MY RADIO :thumbsdow because my car is way out of warranty. They wanted $1,200.00 to replace the radio or $700.00 to just replace the rear part. So, I called up a friend of mine to see if he can help me. We found out that there is a small resistor on the radio that burns out, that the one that sends power to the front panel. Here is my experience with fixing the problem.

Problem:

I did not make a tutorial on how the Stock radio is removed because there are quite some few out there. Plus, it’s easy just to search for it.

Once you have your stock radio off, remove the (4) screws that hold the radio. There are (2) on each side.

Remove the (2) screws on the back of the radio.

Remove the (8) screws that holds the heat sink together.

Flip the radio to its front side, and remove the (2) screws.

Pry open the bottom cover carefully. Its not hard to remove and use a flat head screwdriver.

Now that you have the heat sink and the bottom plate off, BE VERY CAREFULL WITH THE NEXT STEP.

Remove the ribbon cable from the board. BE CAREFULL WHEN YOU REMOVE IT. Don’t pull hard or you can damage the cable.

Now look at the radio where the heat sink normally is. You will see set of (3) resisters next to each other. Pay close attention to the middle resister with the number R797. That’s the one you need to fix.

DO THIS AT YOURE OWN RISK.

I just got small wire cutters and broke the resister off. You don’t need to replace it, but you will like to, you need to buy that resister. Don’t know how much it is or where to buy it. If I can recall, they told me it was a 2.4A resister. All I did was to place a small piece of wire and solder the joints. AKA Jump the connections.

Here is a picture of how it looks after I jump the connection.

Now put everything back together, and install the stock radio to your car.

Enjoy your now working stock radio…. This easy tutorial will save you $$$$. :thmsup:

YEAH!!! My First Tutorial.... :banana:

EXLNavi · Dec 24, 2004

SEE! I told you guys it was an easy fix, but no one believed me!!

2.4 ohms sounds like it.

I would recommend replacing the resistor. It's there to limit current and too much current is possibly why it burned out.

A resistor is 50 cents or less. A display module is a lot more.

Radio shack should have resistors. If not, order one from mouser or digi-key.

Don't take a chance bridging the resistor. It's there for a reason!

04AccordEX · Jan 6, 2007

Thanks, We jumped it because he fixed one sterio like this about a year ago, and the lady still has a working sterio. But, as soon as i get a chace i will install this resistor to be safe. The wire we put is small so if too much current runs thought it, it will break the wire. Just like a fuse.

Hope this tutorial will help some fix there sterio.

Conundrum · Jan 25, 2006

Wow great post and my first sticky. Figured it deserved it considering all the problems with the earlier 7th gen HUs and the fact that there are people like the OP who are out of warranty and Honda will not help.

Just to add my advice though...like EXLNavi mentioned buy the replacement resistor and put it in place, don't bridge the connections with a wire. Same reason why you shouldn't put a dime or something in a fuse box instead of a fuse. Sure it might work for now, but you're risking other problems down the road for a part that literally only costs cents to replace.

Trip · Mar 27, 2005

Excellent job!!!! :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup:

You would think Honda would instruct the dealers how to do this fix so they can repair the stereos for even $100 parts/labor - IMO still too expensive but better than a $1,200 swap.

:thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup:

EXLNavi · Dec 24, 2004

Trip said:
Excellent job!!!! :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup:

You would think Honda would instruct the dealers how to do this fix so they can repair the stereos for even $100 parts/labor - IMO still too expensive but better than a $1,200 swap.

:thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup: :thmsup:

I don't think dealerships have electronic technicians, only automotive techs. They can't fix it.

stiller fan · Aug 30, 2004

i am not a electronic guru like some members are on here, but here's a question....

could you use a larger resistor for replacement, to prevent future problems? :dunno:

Conundrum · Jan 25, 2006

stiller fan said:
i am not a electronic guru like some members are on here, but here's a question....

could you use a larger resistor for replacement, to prevent future problems? :dunno:

I'm not one either but I'd figure if you used a larger resistor you would end up sucking too much power from the display/controls. With electronics you want a certain voltage and certain amperage, so you'd want to replace it with the same as it had before. In other words, unless you were sure of what you were putting in, staying with spec is the way to go.

Now this does bring up an interesting concept...what does the newer HUs that do not suffer this problem use? Technically if you used whatever resistor they use you might negate ever having it blow again...

Peniole · Sep 22, 2005

stiller fan said:
i am not a electronic guru like some members are on here, but here's a question....

could you use a larger resistor for replacement, to prevent future problems? :dunno:

The resistor is there as a sacrifice if higher current runs through than it should saving the display itself. A bigger resistor might let too much current flow before burning itself (I'm assuming by bigger you mean a higher current setting). With that said there could be two problems, something higher up causing current problems and the resistor did it's job, or scenario number two that the resistor is poor quality and it's burning out at a lower current than specified. Your guess is as good as mine on this one :dunno: Only putting in a good quality resistor and seeing down the line if it happens again.

This might be why Honda is replacing the HU instead, the problem is higher up, or as mentioned no electronic techs at the dealership. On the other hand why all the refurbished replacements? Hmmmm...

EDIT: Nice write up and great sticky.

mwmcginn · Feb 19, 2006

SWEET- Good work!

Peniole · Sep 22, 2005

Here's a link for those curious about resistors...

http://www.doctronics.co.uk/resistor.htm#what

princess · Aug 15, 2003

Many auto techs COULD do it, but they aren't allowed to. If they booger it up, then the tech pays for it, not the dealer.

Apparently Honda is not happy with the manufacturer either:

ID: AIN34351 (Rev GIN34313)

This message is revised to exclude incorrect dealers and to clarify information regarding returning parts.

To: All Parts and Service Managers

From: Remanufactured Parts Operations

Re: Discontinued Remanufactured Parts: Audio Units

Do Not Return to AHM

As of January 1, 2007, the following parts will no longer be offered as Remanufactured Parts.

Discontinued

P/N
Description

08A50-ED1101RM
CD Player

08A51-ED1100RM
CD Player

8-97222-867-0RM
Audio Tuner

8-97230-011-1RM
Audio RMD

8-97251-336-0RM
Audio Tuner

8-97256-492-0RM
Audio Tuner

Dealers who purchased any of the above parts between October 31, 2006 and December 31, 2006 should return the faulty parts to NK Parts in Sidney, OH.

MJL · Jun 9, 2006

I figured he was trying to say, bigger resistor = more resistance to current, not bigger resistor allowing more current flow. Sounds like he was taking the name for resistor literally. I could be wrong...

Definitely a good sticky tho!! The first I've seen of a DIY for the radio display problem. I think it would be more helpful tho if we had the correct resistor for the application, like what color bands we would need on the resistor and solder direction if applicable.

SSMV6 · Apr 11, 2005

Resistor Color Codes are all over the net... For an example, look at Peniole's post or look here...
http://xtronics.com/kits/rcode.htm

I would try to get at least a gold banded resistor (+/- 5% tolerance) or better for the replacement. Un-banded resistors can vary too much in quality and resistance.

Resistors are bidirectional and can be mounted in either direction.

04AccordEX · Jan 6, 2007

Wow! I didn't think my post would become a Sticky :banana: Thanks.....

EXLNavi · Dec 24, 2004

A resistor usually has two values associated with it. The resistance and the maximum power (wattage) it can handle in watts.

The general rule of thumb is that you can substitute a higher wattage resistor, but not a lower wattage one. You shouldn't mess with the resistance although in many circuits you can vary it a bit.

In this circuit, a higher wattage resistor would definitely work. But they are bigger and fatter. If it can fit, I say go for it and put a 1/2 watt or even a 1 watt resistor.

But don't change the value of the resistor (in ohms). Putting a lower resistance will cause more current to flow through the circuit, which can cause some other components to burn out prematurely.

Putting a higher resistance will probably not work, as it will limit the current even further than the circuit was designed for.

As for tolerance, any tolerance will do frankly. You don't need a gold banded resistor because this circuit doesn't need critical values. It is not medical equipment nor is it equipment where a slight variation in resistance cause it to malfunction.

EXLNavi · Dec 24, 2004

SSMV6 said:
Resistor Color Codes are all over the net... For an example, look at Peniole's post or look here...
http://xtronics.com/kits/rcode.htm

I would try to get at least a gold banded resistor (+/- 5% tolerance) or better for the replacement. Un-banded resistors can vary too much in quality and resistance.

Resistors are bidirectional and can be mounted in either direction.

Those resistors in the Accord HU look like chip resistors, which means that they won't have color codes, just numbers.

The problem though is that resistors fail catastrophically and the color codes or other markings tend to get burnt out.

Princess, do you have access to a schematic for the Accord radio? Maybe we can figure out the correct value to save folks some trouble.

adas · Dec 14, 2006

Any advice on how to fix stock radio from Honda 96 -- the discplay comes on and off, but it's mostly off (like 95% of the time)?...

jermy4 · Sep 23, 2005

04AccordEX said:
Wow! I didn't think my post would become a Sticky :banana: Thanks.....

We've talked about this before and how it was probably a really easy fix if you knew what you were doing. This is a great write up for people that are way out of warranty and get denied a goodwill replacement by their dealership.

Very good job :thmsup:

Welcome to Driveaccord by the way :wave:

Silver · Aug 21, 2005

I just finished installing my new Sportster4 and was sitting in my car, playing with the remote and something caught my eye... my display went blank on the factory HU!! After 3 years and 71k miles, the display.. err.. resistor.. finally decides to give up.

I would like to attempt the fix described here, but I do not know anything about this kind of stuff. Can anyone provide a link or something so I know where and what to buy? I don't want to buy the wrong item and fry the whole unit.

No Display Radio Fix

04AccordEX

EXLNavi

04AccordEX

Conundrum

Trip

EXLNavi

stiller fan

Conundrum

Peniole

mwmcginn

Peniole

princess

MJL

SSMV6

04AccordEX

EXLNavi

EXLNavi

adas

jermy4

Silver

Our Vendors

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities