Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

I usually turn the light switch to on and then put the high beams on until I
see the low beams on also. The funny thing is that the colder it is outside
when I start the car, the longer it takes for the low beams to come on.

I am not so convinced it is the switch because everything else reacts as it
should when you put the switch to "on" (ie. the dash dims as do the other
lights in the car). Maybe I am wrong, I don't exactly know. I have the
Chilton's manual and I can't find a relay in that circuit on the diagrams
they have. That doesn't mean it doesn't have one but I can't locate them.

I appreciate the help.


"Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote in message
news:3FAC3154.B20C8B2B@junkmail.com...
> The Civic generation before yours did not use a relay for the
> headlights, and neither did the generation after yours. I have never
> seen the wiring diagram for the '90 Civic, but doubt it uses a relay for
> the headlights.
>
> When you say that the high beams work right away, are you talking about:
>
> A). Using the "high beam flash"
>
> B). Switching to high beams after the low beams have come on
>
> C). Switching to high beams before turning on the lights, then turning
> on the lights.
>
> Unless you mean "C" I would say your light switch is the culprit. You
> could try cleaning it with contact cleaner (and lots of it) but you
> probably need a new switch.
>
> Kevin wrote:
> >
> > Which relay and where?
> >
> > Thanks for the help
> >
> > "Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > news:sgFqb.328523$9l5.245884@pd7tw2no...
> > > Hi,
> > > Check ground connection and relay.
> > > Tony
> > >
> > > Kevin wrote:
> > > > Does anyone know what might be causing my low beams not to come on
when
> > I
> > > > turn the switch to on?
> > > >
> > > > The lights come on after a couple of minutes, but have not been
coming
> > on
> > > > right away. It usually takes a few minutes. The high beams work
just
> > fine
> > > > and come on right away.
> > > >
> > > > Any help would be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

I usually turn the light switch to on and then put the high beams on until I
see the low beams on also. The funny thing is that the colder it is outside
when I start the car, the longer it takes for the low beams to come on.

I am not so convinced it is the switch because everything else reacts as it
should when you put the switch to "on" (ie. the dash dims as do the other
lights in the car). Maybe I am wrong, I don't exactly know. I have the
Chilton's manual and I can't find a relay in that circuit on the diagrams
they have. That doesn't mean it doesn't have one but I can't locate them.

I appreciate the help.


"Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote in message
news:3FAC3154.B20C8B2B@junkmail.com...
> The Civic generation before yours did not use a relay for the
> headlights, and neither did the generation after yours. I have never
> seen the wiring diagram for the '90 Civic, but doubt it uses a relay for
> the headlights.
>
> When you say that the high beams work right away, are you talking about:
>
> A). Using the "high beam flash"
>
> B). Switching to high beams after the low beams have come on
>
> C). Switching to high beams before turning on the lights, then turning
> on the lights.
>
> Unless you mean "C" I would say your light switch is the culprit. You
> could try cleaning it with contact cleaner (and lots of it) but you
> probably need a new switch.
>
> Kevin wrote:
> >
> > Which relay and where?
> >
> > Thanks for the help
> >
> > "Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > news:sgFqb.328523$9l5.245884@pd7tw2no...
> > > Hi,
> > > Check ground connection and relay.
> > > Tony
> > >
> > > Kevin wrote:
> > > > Does anyone know what might be causing my low beams not to come on
when
> > I
> > > > turn the switch to on?
> > > >
> > > > The lights come on after a couple of minutes, but have not been
coming
> > on
> > > > right away. It usually takes a few minutes. The high beams work
just
> > fine
> > > > and come on right away.
> > > >
> > > > Any help would be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
it is the worse it gets.

Kevin wrote:
>
> I usually turn the light switch to on and then put the high beams on until I
> see the low beams on also. The funny thing is that the colder it is outside
> when I start the car, the longer it takes for the low beams to come on.
>
> I am not so convinced it is the switch because everything else reacts as it
> should when you put the switch to "on" (ie. the dash dims as do the other
> lights in the car). Maybe I am wrong, I don't exactly know. I have the
> Chilton's manual and I can't find a relay in that circuit on the diagrams
> they have. That doesn't mean it doesn't have one but I can't locate them.
>
> I appreciate the help.
>
> "Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3FAC3154.B20C8B2B@junkmail.com...
> > The Civic generation before yours did not use a relay for the
> > headlights, and neither did the generation after yours. I have never
> > seen the wiring diagram for the '90 Civic, but doubt it uses a relay for
> > the headlights.
> >
> > When you say that the high beams work right away, are you talking about:
> >
> > A). Using the "high beam flash"
> >
> > B). Switching to high beams after the low beams have come on
> >
> > C). Switching to high beams before turning on the lights, then turning
> > on the lights.
> >
> > Unless you mean "C" I would say your light switch is the culprit. You
> > could try cleaning it with contact cleaner (and lots of it) but you
> > probably need a new switch.
> >
> > Kevin wrote:
> > >
> > > Which relay and where?
> > >
> > > Thanks for the help
> > >
> > > "Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > > news:sgFqb.328523$9l5.245884@pd7tw2no...
> > > > Hi,
> > > > Check ground connection and relay.
> > > > Tony
> > > >
> > > > Kevin wrote:
> > > > > Does anyone know what might be causing my low beams not to come on
> when
> > > I
> > > > > turn the switch to on?
> > > > >
> > > > > The lights come on after a couple of minutes, but have not been
> coming
> > > on
> > > > > right away. It usually takes a few minutes. The high beams work
> just
> > > fine
> > > > > and come on right away.
> > > > >
> > > > > Any help would be appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
it is the worse it gets.

Kevin wrote:
>
> I usually turn the light switch to on and then put the high beams on until I
> see the low beams on also. The funny thing is that the colder it is outside
> when I start the car, the longer it takes for the low beams to come on.
>
> I am not so convinced it is the switch because everything else reacts as it
> should when you put the switch to "on" (ie. the dash dims as do the other
> lights in the car). Maybe I am wrong, I don't exactly know. I have the
> Chilton's manual and I can't find a relay in that circuit on the diagrams
> they have. That doesn't mean it doesn't have one but I can't locate them.
>
> I appreciate the help.
>
> "Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3FAC3154.B20C8B2B@junkmail.com...
> > The Civic generation before yours did not use a relay for the
> > headlights, and neither did the generation after yours. I have never
> > seen the wiring diagram for the '90 Civic, but doubt it uses a relay for
> > the headlights.
> >
> > When you say that the high beams work right away, are you talking about:
> >
> > A). Using the "high beam flash"
> >
> > B). Switching to high beams after the low beams have come on
> >
> > C). Switching to high beams before turning on the lights, then turning
> > on the lights.
> >
> > Unless you mean "C" I would say your light switch is the culprit. You
> > could try cleaning it with contact cleaner (and lots of it) but you
> > probably need a new switch.
> >
> > Kevin wrote:
> > >
> > > Which relay and where?
> > >
> > > Thanks for the help
> > >
> > > "Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > > news:sgFqb.328523$9l5.245884@pd7tw2no...
> > > > Hi,
> > > > Check ground connection and relay.
> > > > Tony
> > > >
> > > > Kevin wrote:
> > > > > Does anyone know what might be causing my low beams not to come on
> when
> > > I
> > > > > turn the switch to on?
> > > > >
> > > > > The lights come on after a couple of minutes, but have not been
> coming
> > > on
> > > > > right away. It usually takes a few minutes. The high beams work
> just
> > > fine
> > > > > and come on right away.
> > > > >
> > > > > Any help would be appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
it is the worse it gets.

Kevin wrote:
>
> I usually turn the light switch to on and then put the high beams on until I
> see the low beams on also. The funny thing is that the colder it is outside
> when I start the car, the longer it takes for the low beams to come on.
>
> I am not so convinced it is the switch because everything else reacts as it
> should when you put the switch to "on" (ie. the dash dims as do the other
> lights in the car). Maybe I am wrong, I don't exactly know. I have the
> Chilton's manual and I can't find a relay in that circuit on the diagrams
> they have. That doesn't mean it doesn't have one but I can't locate them.
>
> I appreciate the help.
>
> "Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3FAC3154.B20C8B2B@junkmail.com...
> > The Civic generation before yours did not use a relay for the
> > headlights, and neither did the generation after yours. I have never
> > seen the wiring diagram for the '90 Civic, but doubt it uses a relay for
> > the headlights.
> >
> > When you say that the high beams work right away, are you talking about:
> >
> > A). Using the "high beam flash"
> >
> > B). Switching to high beams after the low beams have come on
> >
> > C). Switching to high beams before turning on the lights, then turning
> > on the lights.
> >
> > Unless you mean "C" I would say your light switch is the culprit. You
> > could try cleaning it with contact cleaner (and lots of it) but you
> > probably need a new switch.
> >
> > Kevin wrote:
> > >
> > > Which relay and where?
> > >
> > > Thanks for the help
> > >
> > > "Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > > news:sgFqb.328523$9l5.245884@pd7tw2no...
> > > > Hi,
> > > > Check ground connection and relay.
> > > > Tony
> > > >
> > > > Kevin wrote:
> > > > > Does anyone know what might be causing my low beams not to come on
> when
> > > I
> > > > > turn the switch to on?
> > > > >
> > > > > The lights come on after a couple of minutes, but have not been
> coming
> > > on
> > > > > right away. It usually takes a few minutes. The high beams work
> just
> > > fine
> > > > > and come on right away.
> > > > >
> > > > > Any help would be appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
it is the worse it gets.

Kevin wrote:
>
> I usually turn the light switch to on and then put the high beams on until I
> see the low beams on also. The funny thing is that the colder it is outside
> when I start the car, the longer it takes for the low beams to come on.
>
> I am not so convinced it is the switch because everything else reacts as it
> should when you put the switch to "on" (ie. the dash dims as do the other
> lights in the car). Maybe I am wrong, I don't exactly know. I have the
> Chilton's manual and I can't find a relay in that circuit on the diagrams
> they have. That doesn't mean it doesn't have one but I can't locate them.
>
> I appreciate the help.
>
> "Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3FAC3154.B20C8B2B@junkmail.com...
> > The Civic generation before yours did not use a relay for the
> > headlights, and neither did the generation after yours. I have never
> > seen the wiring diagram for the '90 Civic, but doubt it uses a relay for
> > the headlights.
> >
> > When you say that the high beams work right away, are you talking about:
> >
> > A). Using the "high beam flash"
> >
> > B). Switching to high beams after the low beams have come on
> >
> > C). Switching to high beams before turning on the lights, then turning
> > on the lights.
> >
> > Unless you mean "C" I would say your light switch is the culprit. You
> > could try cleaning it with contact cleaner (and lots of it) but you
> > probably need a new switch.
> >
> > Kevin wrote:
> > >
> > > Which relay and where?
> > >
> > > Thanks for the help
> > >
> > > "Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > > news:sgFqb.328523$9l5.245884@pd7tw2no...
> > > > Hi,
> > > > Check ground connection and relay.
> > > > Tony
> > > >
> > > > Kevin wrote:
> > > > > Does anyone know what might be causing my low beams not to come on
> when
> > > I
> > > > > turn the switch to on?
> > > > >
> > > > > The lights come on after a couple of minutes, but have not been
> coming
> > > on
> > > > > right away. It usually takes a few minutes. The high beams work
> just
> > > fine
> > > > > and come on right away.
> > > > >
> > > > > Any help would be appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Randolph wrote:
>
> The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> it is the worse it gets.

Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would work
but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with some
fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the ~
$80 for a new one.

Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Randolph wrote:
>
> The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> it is the worse it gets.

Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would work
but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with some
fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the ~
$80 for a new one.

Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Randolph wrote:
>
> The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> it is the worse it gets.

Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would work
but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with some
fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the ~
$80 for a new one.

Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Randolph wrote:
>
> The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> it is the worse it gets.

Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would work
but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with some
fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the ~
$80 for a new one.

Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Thanks for the help. I will figure out how to get to the switch and try
cleaning the contacts.

Kevin

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message news:3FACB00B.6F9153FE@spam.now...
> Randolph wrote:
> >
> > The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> > contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> > is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> > There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> > accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> > it is the worse it gets.
>
> Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would
work
> but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
> polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with
some
> fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the
~
> $80 for a new one.
>
> Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Thanks for the help. I will figure out how to get to the switch and try
cleaning the contacts.

Kevin

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message news:3FACB00B.6F9153FE@spam.now...
> Randolph wrote:
> >
> > The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> > contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> > is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> > There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> > accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> > it is the worse it gets.
>
> Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would
work
> but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
> polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with
some
> fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the
~
> $80 for a new one.
>
> Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Thanks for the help. I will figure out how to get to the switch and try
cleaning the contacts.

Kevin

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message news:3FACB00B.6F9153FE@spam.now...
> Randolph wrote:
> >
> > The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> > contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> > is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> > There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> > accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> > it is the worse it gets.
>
> Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would
work
> but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
> polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with
some
> fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the
~
> $80 for a new one.
>
> Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Thanks for the help. I will figure out how to get to the switch and try
cleaning the contacts.

Kevin

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message news:3FACB00B.6F9153FE@spam.now...
> Randolph wrote:
> >
> > The dash lights, tail lights, marker lights etc. operate from a set of
> > contacts separate from the head lights in the light switch, so my guess
> > is still the switch. A can of contact cleaner is a cheap experiment...
> > There is usually a small amount of lubricant in the switch, and as it
> > accumulates gunk and moisture over the years it gets sticky. The colder
> > it is the worse it gets.
>
> Agreed, I had a flaky switch in my '88 Civic where the headlights would
work
> but none of the other lights did. I removed the switch, cleaned it,
> polished the contacts with some 400 grit sandpaper, and relubed it with
some
> fresh Sylglide silicone grease. This fixed the problem and saved me the
~
> $80 for a new one.
>
> Eric

Re: 1990 Civic Headlight Problems
 

Kevin wrote:
>
> Thanks for the help. I will figure out how to get to the switch and try
> cleaning the contacts.

Remove the steering wheel first by popping out the H with a small screw
driver and then remove the retaining nut.

Eric