Lights

Sorry for the generic title of this message I didn't'[t know what
else to call this.

I have a 93 Honda Civic EX coupe.

For about a year now when I turn the headlights on, the interior lights
and tail lights would not come on. In order to get those lights to
come on I would turn the knob for the lights about halfway between all
on and just parking lights on. I figured the knob was just bad and
didn't worry about it too much, I mean the car is old and it seemed
like a small thing.

Well over the last few days the tail lights and interior lights won't
come on at all now, even with my play with the knob that turns them on.


Here is what I am worried about, what if the knob was working just fine
and me messing with it was just shorting out a circuit that allowed all
the lights to come on. I am guessing there must be a relay of some
sort that turns all of the lights on.

What is this relay called and where is it located? I would like to
replace it, but have no idea of what would control these lights.

As of right now the car has headlights when the knob is turned all the
way on, but never has tail lights or interior lights.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Without looking at a wiring diagram, I don't believe there is any relay involved
in your lights except for the high-beam switch... sounds like your problem is
simply a bad combination switch. Replacing the whole thing should be relatively
painless.

 

Thank you for the reply. I went and read up on replacing that switch,
it seems I have to pull the steering wheel to do so.

Do you recomend a mostly novice do this, or should I just take it to a
shop? I don't need this car working right away I have another car, so
if it will just take me a long time fine, but if there is a chance my
noviceness will mess up something more expensive iwill just take it to
a shop.

Thanks again.

 

Is this combination switch know as a differant part name, I can't seem
to find it online to order. Thank you.

 

I don't think it will be all that *difficult* if you have the time, but you may
need the proper tool to get the wheel off, so the question becomes more whether
you can borrow a steering wheel puller, or if it's worth it to buy one vs.
having a shop do the work. They shouldn't be too expensive.

Depending on the manual you have, they may list a procedure for testing the
swtich with a multimeter before you actually pull it out.

 

Thanks to this forum again for all the great advice. I looked up the
steering whell puller and . . . . it will be less expensive to have a
shop do the work just based on that. I doubt I will need a steering
whell puller much after this repair so there is little need for me to
own one.

I will take it into a sho tomorrow.

Atleast I can tell them what I think needs to be repaired, it tends to
be less painful that way. I have brought my cars into the shop beofre
with no idea what was wrong with them, only to have the shop look at it
for days to figure it out.