87 Accord Headlight Problem - Low Beam

Hi folks,

My left headlight low beam doesn't work. I replaced the lamp today
and it still doesn't work. Checked all the headlamp fuses, they were
good, swapped em around and it still doesn't work. Took a close look
at the wiring harness leading to the light and the wires appear fairly
brittle after all these years and I'm thinking I have a possible short
or broken connection.

What else should I look for?

Would it be realistic to splice into the wiring harness and run
essential new wires to the lamp assembly?

Any thoughts on this? I would hate to get raped by a dealer on this
one.

Jim

 

These models had a problem with wires being too tight and the action of
the headights caused fatigue and breaks. Dealer essentially sliced in
some wire.

 

This is a fairly common problem with 3rd generation hondas. The
constant flexing of the cable to the headlamps eventually causes
broken wires. Honda used to sell a replacement harness for this
problem, but don't know if it is still available. You can do it
yourself if you are handy with wiring. You have to take the entire
headlamp assembly out from the front to begin with. It's not easy to
work back in that little hole, but it can be done. I don't remember
now if you can just pull the harness back into the engine compartment,
but that might be easier than the way I did it. One way or another
you have to cut out the bad part and replace it with new wires. Be
sure and use the same gauge. A good idea is to stagger the splices so
they don't all bunch up in one place. I used shrink sleeving on each
joint, followed by wrapping the entire repair with a couple of layers
of electrical tape. Good luck.

Dick

 

Thanks for the replies and tips, I'll call the dealer about a
replacement harness or splice in new wires. Damn shame it had to
happen now on the east coast because its too dark and too cold to work
on when I get home from work!

jim