Dash lights intermittent '93 Accord

[landlocked]

Moderator's Note:This post was moved from another forum in reply to another thread. It was placed here in it's own separate thread.

Please add my 93 Honda Civic Hatchback to the dash lights intermittent problem.

But the problem noticed at night-time start-up. Only the instrument cluster affected. All exterior lights as well as dome light OK.

Cannot resolve issue by manipulating switches (main light switch or dash light dimmer). Cannot seem to identify cause of lights coming back on as it does not happen after a set period of time or incident. Fuses 'seem' OK.

Thanks

[landlocked]

Update from Landlocked...

After reading the Chilton's Repair Manual, I had a better idea of how the electrical connections effected the dash light illumination. The author suggested that most problems are the result of poor ground connection.

I went through the following scenario and was able to get dash lights to work.

1. With the palm of my hand, I 'bumped' the top cover over the steering column - no lights.
2. With the palm of my hand, I 'bumped' the lower cover under the steering column - no lights
3. With the palm of my hand, I 'bumped' the dash over the instrument cluster - no lights.
4. I manipulated the dash lights dimmer knob from one extreme to the other - no light.
5. With the palm of my hand, I 'bumped' the extreme lower left-hand corner of the dash. After that gentle bump the lights came on.

Does this mean that I probably have a loose electrical connection? And if yes, where is the best place to start looking.

Thanks