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Hey guys,
I’ve got a ’91 Honda Accord EX-R which is currently sidelined until Monday with a bad ball joint. Nonetheless, I have been having a problem for maybe 2 years now with the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) system and finally am getting around to dealing with it. The car is a beater anyways, but in Canada, this system is a must so it would be kinda nice to have it functioning properly.Normally, when the parking brake is engaged and the ignition turned on, the amber DRL light comes on the dash. Once the parking brake is released, it should go out and stay out. Mine doesn’t. It is lit all the time, unless I turn on the headlights (the low beams and high beams both work fine.) In addition, sometimes, the DRL warning light on the dash will flicker, almost like there is a loose connection somewhere along the line (even while idling), however, the actual headlights never come on unless I turn them on.
Not quite sure what this could be–If anyone has any ideas and would like to share, I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks for your time.
Andrew
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Welcome to the forums!
A wiring diagram as Beefy suggested will be most helpful. We have a link to free Chilton’s online that do show some wiring diagrams in the ‘How To’ section if you wanted to check that out.
A wiring diagram would be helpful. We had a newer Blazer in my class where they bugged cars on purpose, and you had to find the bug. The complaint was that the DRL’s didn’t work. On the Blazer, the circuit used the high beams for the DRL’s, and switched grounds when the brights were turned on. In essence, the brights ran the circuit as a parallel curcuit when the brights were turned on. They were ran as a series circuit for the daytime running lights. In a parallel circuit, more amperage is drawn thru the circuit, making the lights brighter. When they are run in series, they are dimmer, and used as the DRL’s. The bug was that the bright circuit of the dual purpose bulbs was cut on one side, and thus provided the issue. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but the point is, one of the bulbs was ‘bad’.
Alright, looked around and found some wiring diagrams (though I must have the wrong ones because I don’t see any mention of the DRL system.) I’ve found out something else, though. The lighting module on these models have solder joints that are prone to cracking. I have a feeling that this might be the case with my car. I’ve been told that it should be above the drivers’ feet behind the dash, behind a removable panel. I’ll take a look and report back.
Thanks for your help! 🙂
Andrew
You might also check the parking brake switch, if your parking brake lever is not adjusted properly or the switch is loose it could possibly cause the switch not to work properly, I would think you might also have the brake light indicator on at the same time however but I’m not sure. If memory serves that’s not a complicated system, aside from the control box you mention I would also recommend you check the fuses just for the heck of it as I’m pretty sure the DRL’s are on a separate fuse from the headlights.
Didn’t think the 91 accord came with DRLs.
These days when the low beam comes on the DRL has to dim by 70% or turn off.
When the parking brake is not the DRL may not work as it sees the car as parked and DRL are used when driving.Quoted From Grayfox:
Didn’t think the 91 accord came with DRLs.
These days when the low beam comes on the DRL has to dim by 70% or turn off.
When the parking brake is not the DRL may not work as it sees the car as parked and DRL are used when driving.In Canada it’s been mandated that all vehicles sold there have DRL’s, I can’t remember when that started however but it’s been like that for some time.
Thanks for posting the fix as it goes on to help others that use the search function that have similar problems and thank you for using the ETCG forum.
Quoted From EricTheCarGuy:
In Canada it’s been mandated that all vehicles sold there have DRL’s, I can’t remember when that started however but it’s been like that for some time.
Thanks for posting the fix as it goes on to help others that use the search function that have similar problems and thank you for using the ETCG forum.
I believe they started that in 1990
Good for you to find the problem. That’s a great feeling of satisfaction to accomplish the task! Your idea to post a video describing soldering the board is a great one, as well. Please post a link on this thread, to help somebody who has the same problem to find it.
Years ago I had a Honda with a very rare intermittent problem where the engine would sputter and die, and not start for a few hours. It was really frustrating, and I never found a solution. Too bad I don’t have the car now, it would be fun to have another go. But it was so rusty I don’t think anything would be left of it now, ha ha.
Quoted From spelunkerd:
Years ago I had a Honda with a very rare intermittent problem where the engine would sputter and die, and not start for a few hours. It was really frustrating, and I never found a solution. Too bad I don’t have the car now, it would be fun to have another go. But it was so rusty I don’t think anything would be left of it now, ha ha.
I know what you mean about the rust. Mine is getting there, too. Its only got ~180,000 kms on it and running great (it doesn’t even burn oil and the A/C works
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