Honda Car Forum

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction about
finding this problem. When I turn on my headlights, my dashboard
lights and tail lights quit working. (the brake lights work when the
brake is applied) Both work when just the running lights are turned
on, but go off when I turn the switch to headlights. I'm assuming
there is a short somewhere, but have no idea where to start looking.

cljohnr@yahoo.com (John) spake unto the assembled masses in
news:c4d18711.0312011650.5ed344ac@posting.google.c om:

> I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction about
> finding this problem. When I turn on my headlights, my dashboard
> lights and tail lights quit working. (the brake lights work when the
> brake is applied) Both work when just the running lights are turned
> on, but go off when I turn the switch to headlights. I'm assuming
> there is a short somewhere, but have no idea where to start looking.
>


Behind the right-side kick panel, unplug the DRL relay. See if that fixes
it. If so, leave it unplugged or replace it.

--
TeGGeR®

If there was a short you would be blowing fuses, so that is probably not
it.

The DRL relay does not have control over parking lights, tail lights and
instrument lights, so it is unlikely to be the cause of the problem
also.

The parking lights and tail lights etc. are connected directly to the
light switch, so the most likely culprit is the switch itself. Try
cleaning it with contact cleaner. If that does not help, replace it. To
get access to it you need to remove the upper and lower steering wheel
covers. Looking from below you will see 2 or 3 screws holding the top an
bottom together. After you remove the screws you have to deal with a
number of plastic clips holding the two parts together. It is a royal
pain to get them apart, but it can be done.


TeGGeR wrote:
>
> cljohnr@yahoo.com (John) spake unto the assembled masses in
> news:c4d18711.0312011650.5ed344ac@posting.google.c om:
>
> > I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction about
> > finding this problem. When I turn on my headlights, my dashboard
> > lights and tail lights quit working. (the brake lights work when the
> > brake is applied) Both work when just the running lights are turned
> > on, but go off when I turn the switch to headlights. I'm assuming
> > there is a short somewhere, but have no idea where to start looking.
> >
>
> Behind the right-side kick panel, unplug the DRL relay. See if that fixes
> it. If so, leave it unplugged or replace it.
>
> --
> TeGGeR®

You have an OPEN, not a short, and it might be in the ground side of
things. If you're in a part of the world where they use lots of road
salt, check the points where your various cables (large and small) are
screwed / bolted to ground (steel bodyparts). Look for corrosion inside
light bulb sockets and on fuse ends too. Even the ground wire from your
light switch might not be attached right. read your manual to see where
both fuse boxes are, then check for blown / loose fuses. Dont replace a
blown fuse with a larger one. That only makes your Honda behave like a
Ford Aerostar.


'Curly'

John wrote:
> I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction about
> finding this problem. When I turn on my headlights, my dashboard
> lights and tail lights quit working. (the brake lights work when the
> brake is applied) Both work when just the running lights are turned
> on, but go off when I turn the switch to headlights. I'm assuming
> there is a short somewhere, but have no idea where to start looking.


--

To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

Regarding stage performances: When everyone else has finished playing,
you should not play any notes you have left over. -

The light switch does not have a ground connection. Also, the OP said
that the relevant lights work when the switch is in the "parking light"
position, but that marker and instrument lights turn off with the switch
in the "head lights" position. The circuit is pretty simple, so the
light switch is really the only likely culprit.



"'Curly Q. Links'" wrote:
>
> You have an OPEN, not a short, and it might be in the ground side of
> things. If you're in a part of the world where they use lots of road
> salt, check the points where your various cables (large and small) are
> screwed / bolted to ground (steel bodyparts). Look for corrosion inside
> light bulb sockets and on fuse ends too. Even the ground wire from your
> light switch might not be attached right. read your manual to see where
> both fuse boxes are, then check for blown / loose fuses. Dont replace a
> blown fuse with a larger one. That only makes your Honda behave like a
> Ford Aerostar.
>
> 'Curly'
>
> John wrote:
> > I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction about
> > finding this problem. When I turn on my headlights, my dashboard
> > lights and tail lights quit working. (the brake lights work when the
> > brake is applied) Both work when just the running lights are turned
> > on, but go off when I turn the switch to headlights. I'm assuming
> > there is a short somewhere, but have no idea where to start looking.
>
> --
>
> To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
> you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.
>
> Regarding stage performances: When everyone else has finished playing,
> you should not play any notes you have left over. -

Randolph,

I didn't know that about the older Hondas. I've never owned anything
older than the '95 Odyssey, which uses ground connections through the
'headlight switch', 'flash-to-pass switch', the 'dimmer switch', as well
as the 'DRL control unit'. If any of those grounds are poor, the
associated relays won't trip, or your right high beam will glow
(sometimes). I think it's because of the introduction of DRL that the
design seems to be so convoluted on the '95. Ours came from Eastern
Canada, and has had a few electrical issues caused by corrosion.

Would you agree that 90% of people in the world think that 'short' is
the right term to describe an 'open'?


'Curly'

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Randolph wrote:
> The light switch does not have a ground connection. Also, the OP said
> that the relevant lights work when the switch is in the "parking light"
> position, but that marker and instrument lights turn off with the switch
> in the "head lights" position. The circuit is pretty simple, so the
> light switch is really the only likely culprit.
>
>
>

> I've never owned anything
> older than the '95 Odyssey, which uses ground connections through the
> 'headlight switch', 'flash-to-pass switch', the 'dimmer switch', as well
> as the 'DRL control unit'.

I have seen newer Accords that switch ground through the light switch as
well.

> Would you agree that 90% of people in the world think that 'short' is
> the right term to describe an 'open'?

I think I would make it more general and say that most people say
"short" when what they really mean is "some sort of electrical problem".