Help! dash lights and tail lights wont light up when headlights are on..

[GT-N]

since no one is responding to the audio forum, im going to put this thread in here...

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i started up my car today

and it turned on my lights at the same time

when it turned on, the dash lights blacked out and high beams went on..
i was like WTH?

than i turned it off.. restarted the car

played around with the light switch and the dash lights finally went back on

when i started to drive to the gym, the dash lights blacked out again but head lights are still on..
so i drove with the speedometer not illuminated..

when i parked the car, took out the key..
i turned the switch once which does what its suppose to do, the dash lights come on..

i turned the switch to pop the headlights up.. the dash stayed illuminated, but the head lights are not lighting up..

i put the key, and started the car, and the head lights turn on, but the dash lights black out!

when i left the gym, my friend calls me and tells me when i brake it lights up, but the brake lights are not on..

i recently got my viper alarm installed the one with the LED without remote start.. and 2 new 4" infinity reference door speakers..

friends told me when they installed the alarm, they could of switch somethingout.. maybe bad relay?
iono, i think i have to call them tommorow

your input is greatly appreciated
thanks,
Greg

 

[rbirling]

With really weird problems like that I would guess some kind of ground problem. I'd have no idea where to look, except to look closely at the alarm installation, especially looking for something that was disconnected or spliced into. Sorry for no concrete help, there are some better troubleshooters around here somewhere....

 

[ROWB_1]

The same thing happened to me after sitting all winter. It would not hold a charge and I ended up buying a new one.

 

[GT-N]

The same thing happened to me after sitting all winter. It would not hold a charge and I ended up buying a new one.

a new what?

 

[53heloFE]

when i parked the car, took out the key..
i turned the switch once which does what its suppose to do, the dash lights come on..

i turned the switch to pop the headlights up.. the dash stayed illuminated, but the head lights are not lighting up..

That sounds normal. With the light switch in the first position all you are doing is turning on the running lights and the instrument lights, the headlights do not turn on and stay down. Now if after you use the switch to pop up the headlights and then turn the light switch to the second position the headlights still do not come on then there is a problem.

when i left the gym, my friend calls me and tells me when i brake it lights up, but the brake lights are not on..

I don't understand this one, do you mean that if you hit the brakes the dash lights come on? When you brake what exactly is "it" that lights up? If it is the brake lights that light up how can the brake lights also be not on? Others have had a ground problem with their brake lights before.

i recently got my viper alarm installed the one with the LED without remote start.. and 2 new 4" infinity reference door speakers..

How recently? Did the lights work normally after the install? A ground could be loose, perhaps they did not make a good connection. I would deffinately suspect this. There is a light controller behind the seats, but I don't know if it has anything more to do than just the headlights. If when the lights are out have you tried adjusting the light dimmer switch?

None of the instrument lights worked when I purchased my NSX so I can understand how driving around at night is frustrating, especially when you are getting low on gas and have to keep turning on the interior light to see how mugh you have left :biggrin: Mine kind of fixed itself after taking everything for the lights apart and putting it back together.

 

[D'Ecosse]

when i left the gym, my friend calls me and tells me when i brake it lights up, but the brake lights are not on..

When you say it lights up, are you referring to the dash indicator?

The dash safety indicator should not normally light up when you apply the brakes - it comes on to specifically tell you you have a bulb or bulbs out.
There is a current detector circuit for each of the brake lights & if any of them does not light it triggers the dash warning.

Potential things that can cause this are
1) Fuse #45 (If your horn works this is probably OK)
2) All bulbs are bad
3) Missing ground from brake lights
4) Brake pedal switch (unlikely if the dash panel warning comes on when you brake)
5) Brake light detector boards missing or unplugged

Here is cct for the brake lights (it doesn't show but the power comes from fuse 45)

Regarding your front lights/dash lights issue, I suspect the alarm guys did something screwy.

.

 

[GT-N]

When you say it lights up, are you referring to the dash indicator?

when i brake, the brake-light lights up, but when i am not braking, the taillight is not lit..


i hope this makes things clearer..

yes it could be alot of things such as grounding problems, bad wiring etc.

i called them and they said come in friday morning, so hopefully they can fix this problem..

 

[GT-N]

The dash safety indicator should not normally light up when you apply the brakes - it comes on to specifically tell you you have a bulb or bulbs out.
There is a current detector circuit for each of the brake lights & if any of them does not light it triggers the dash warning.

i doubt any indicator showed up..

check this out when i switch the headlight to 1 position (2 position is when head light pops up)
my tail lights go on..

but when i switch it to 2 position
my head lights light up, instrument cluster dont light up, and my tail lights dont light up
but when i brake, the brake lights light up..

 

[D'Ecosse]

icheck this out when i switch the headlight to 1 position (2 position is when head light pops up)
my tail lights go on..

but when i switch it to 2 position
my head lights light up, instrument cluster dont light up, and my tail lights dont light up
.....

This sounds like a problem with the light switch itself

 

[GT-N]

This sounds like a problem with the light switch itself

and....................

you were right!

once we replaced the headlight relay, my tails would turn on..

and than last, we jiggle the head light switch and my head lights turn on!

does anyone have a write-up on replacing the headlight switch?

 

[djdrock]

I know the fuse issue has been mentioned, but be sure and check every possible fuse. I had a car, I think it was a Prelude, that did the exact same thing, and it was a fuse.

 

[GT-N]

I know the fuse issue has been mentioned, but be sure and check every possible fuse. I had a car, I think it was a Prelude, that did the exact same thing, and it was a fuse.

yea we checked every fuse, gave 14v

thanks

 

[D'Ecosse]

I know the fuse issue has been mentioned, but be sure and check every possible fuse. I had a car, I think it was a Prelude, that did the exact same thing, and it was a fuse.

The parking light function output is common to both the 1st & headlight switch postions; therefor if one works & the other doesn't, there must be an issue with the switch - which user has verified - when 'wiggling' the switch it works.

 

[GT-N]

i tried looking for the part number for the head light switch in the service manual.. at 23-187

and can't seem to find it..
anyone?

has anyone purchased one before? if so how much?

thanks for your input

 

[D'Ecosse]

Switch Assy, Light - Part # - 35280-SL0-A01

This is a complete assembly for the light switch & flasher stalk including the harness - it's all in one assembly. You're looking at ~ $650 list!

You might consider someone like ERZcars for a used part - they frequently have NSX parts available.

 

[GT-N]

Switch Assy, Light - Part # - 35280-SL0-A01

This is a complete assembly for the light switch & flasher stalk including the harness - it's all in one assembly. You're looking at ~ $650 list!

You might consider someone like ERZcars for a used part - they frequently have NSX parts available.

i e-mailed ERZcars.. hopefully they have one..

if not.. dealer

 

[D'Ecosse]

Don't just go to your local dealer - there you will undoubtedly have list & sales tax too.

I buy my OEM parts at Ray Laks Honda Acura World- they typically have ~ 25% off, no sales tax of course & even free shipping. They do charge ~ $4 transaction fee but that is inconsequential on this order amount. Shoot Tim Poliniak an e-mail & he'll respond with price.

There are other internet based parts dealers also, that other may suggest but for me Ray Laks is consistently among the cheapest. The free shipping is a major positive also.

 

[GT-N]

yea erzcars is charging me $100 for a used switch... with a 60 day warranty

and ray laks honda , tim is charging me $504.. for a brand new one..

which one would you pick?

 

[D'Ecosse]

yea erzcars is charging me $100 for a used switch... with a 60 day warranty

and ray laks honda , tim is charging me $504.. for a brand new one..

which one would you pick?

I'd probably go with the used one at that price!

 

[GT-N]

ok i just received my headlight switch from ERZcars..
can anyone tell me why i dont have my cruise control button, but instead got a defroster button?

 

[Daves_X]

My cruise control button is on the right hand side and my defrost is on the left with my lights control if I am not mistaken. I dont know if it is different for the earlier years or not. I have a 95

 

[GT-N]

My cruise control button is on the right hand side and my defrost is on the left with my lights control if I am not mistaken. I dont know if it is different for the earlier years or not. I have a 95

thanks man...
yea i guess i got a switch from a 95...

 

[GT-N]

ok guys, just to make sure i dont get the wrong one...

the next headlight switch is coming from a 94'

is it possible to use a 94' headlight switch onto a 91'?

thanks

 

[D'Ecosse]

ok guys, just to make sure i dont get the wrong one...

the next headlight switch is coming from a 94'

is it possible to use a 94' headlight switch onto a 91'?

thanks

Yes - part number is the same for 91-94.

 

[GT-N]

D'Ecosse
thank you for your confirmation and thank you for always helping me out with these situations...