1997 Honda Accord Headlight is on even if is not an automat

JAPSLICO

MEMBER
1997 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

My headlight is automatically on when I turn on my engine even though it is not automatically activated. I've noticed the problem when I replaced the ECT sensor and disengaged the negative terminal of my battery. How can I troubleshoot this? I disengaged the lighting relay and then reconnect it thinking that it might be stuck but it is still the same problem. Does it affect my battery? I know I have to replace the headlight bulb often if I am not able to fix it. Thank you very much and more power to your informative forum.

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi japslico,

If vehicle is equipped with Daytime Running Lights (DRL), then it should operate that way.

Remove Fuse # 23, in underhood fuse box ( Running Lights 10 A ) and if headlights goes off, then it is normal.

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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 10:05 AM

JAPSLICO

MEMBER
15 POSTS

I look the fuse box underhood and I noticed that the switch relay and the case housing of the relay was melted together. Somehow it burnt and melt them together that is why my light is on whenever I turn on my engine. What do you call the case housing with the 20 A switch relay outside of the fusebox? What do I need to replace this? Thank you very much for the information.

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Friday, August 27th, 2010 AT 11:17 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

I am not sure what relay you are referring to as diagrams from our database does not indicate any.

What are the wire colors to the relay. Take note of colored stripes if any.

A picture would help.

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Friday, August 27th, 2010 AT 11:51 AM

JAPSLICO

MEMBER
15 POSTS

The color of the wire is red and it is not striped. I have some photos. Do I need to replace the wire as well? Is the wire for my headlight and is that the reason why it is on when I turn the engine on even my car is does not DRL? It is heating up and melted the housing and the fuse together. How do I fix it and what do you call the replacement parts?

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Saturday, August 28th, 2010 AT 10:38 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

The fuse-holder is non factory. If the wires leads to relay(s) and harness that is plugged into the factory headlight wire harness and headlight bulbs, then it is an after market add on wireharness for the headlights.

At the relays if the wires are good with only the relay(s) melted off, replace the relay(s) and replacing the fuse holder should solve the problem. If the wires are in bad condition, either you can remove it and plug the factory harness back onto the head light bulbs or you would have to do a rewiring/replacement of the wireharness.

Melting of the relay is due to overheating as the headlights would cause the wiring circuit and components to heat up if connections are loose or the capacity is insufficient due to higher wattage bulbs used.