DRL Problem [solved]
 

Hi folks, i have a 2001 Honda Civic Si (Canadian Model), lately I have noticed the DRL (Day Time Running Light) is on, when this happens the right head light does not come on at full strenth and high beam on left light does not work.

At first the problem would go away after 15 sec. once the car starts but now its more permanent. The only way to over-ride this problem is by turning on the headlights. Initially, I thought it was the bulbs that had burned, it was replaced, but the problem still persist most of the time.

I realized there are many problematic scenarios like faulty relay, wiring and burned fuses. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated cuz. I want to exhaust my research before taking the car to the shop.

Cheers,

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I would suspect the DRL control unit. You could try tapping the unit and gently moving the connector with the DRLs on in failed state and look for changes in operation (changes could indicate a possible cold solder joint)

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

open up the module (behind the hood release lever) and see what happened. there may be burnt wires or relay.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I have the same damn problem. I just switch on the high beam lights (during the day) and the buzzing went away. So it could temporarily be fixed by turning off the relay? Where could I find that? Thanks!

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

you switch them on during the day? doesnt that piss people off? or do you mean that you just flick them on and off and that makes it go away?

anyway, you dont need to mess with a relay or anything to disable them, just remove the drl fuse in the fusebox located just above your battery. your drl wont work without that fuse in place.

i personally think theyre pretty useless except for maybe when its really rainy or foggy, but in that case you just turn your light switch once to get your signals/parking lights on. i havent had my drl lights in about 2.5 years and ive never had a problem. my hid kit got rid of my drl/high beams which i dont need either of. i just have regular evening headlights.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I have had the same problem (2001 Civic LX, right head light DRL) for one year. It got worse in the past couple of months. I just turned on the head lights all the time to get rid of the buzzing. I checked the wiring diagram and suspect the DRL module. I found a clue at wikianswers and took out the DRL module board. Crack solder points found at the relay pins(check the picture). Resoldered them, no more buzzing and the right head light is back in DRL status. This saved me at least $150.
Crack solder points are common when the pins are over heated. I believe this issue is common on this batch of DRL boards. You will see it sooner or later.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

maybe a bad ground? my friends prelude had a bad ground and his passenger side headlight was really dim and he just added another ground and now they are both bright as shit.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

yeah many circuit boards have heat/solder issues including drl, main relays, and led tails. glad you fixed it.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Finally someone posted a solution !!!

Those contacts are for the switch terminals of the relay's (must be one for each headlight)

I would solder both relays contacts while you have it apart... and also the smaller leads for the relay coils should be touched up as well.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Daytime Running Lamps
I thought so too until I drove around the USA with a rental and forgot that my headlights didn't come on automatically. I had people pulling U-turns right in front of me, pulling out and cutting me off, it was madness. I was afraid to drive with my headlights off after that. :)

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I have had the same problem with my 2003 Acura (Buzzing, no right head light DRL and no right high beam).
JerryLee and CraigW were right. helpful pics.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/h...9/img_2301.jpghttps://www.civicforums.com/forums/h...9/img_2299.jpg
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/h...9/img_2304.jpg

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

with the average US driver, DRL will not really help you... back mirror is for make-up there...
Some canadian drivers are the same, to... some did cross 3 lanes right in front of me without even looking at mirror, or even if they did, did not care anyways...

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Thanks for those pictures, those are the classic poor solder joints for sure. They have the black ring present, easy fix once you know.

You should also do the other relay and the board connector stake pins as well while you have it apart.

As far as idiot drivers go... It has certainly gotten out of hand these days. You have to be on guard at all times. I can only hang my head in shame, driving used to be fun back in the day now it's a challenge, and Honda refuses to give us a horn to use... probably cost them $1.00 more in cost. Really sucks.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

agree

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Heys guys, I'm bringing this topic back to life since I have the same problem now for the past 6 months. Where is the DRL fuse located? Under the hood or the drivers die fuse box? I checked under the hood fuse box but non of them are labeled DRL fuse. Thanks

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Fuse #12 7.5 amps under dash box.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

How did you go about disabling the drl's? anyways?

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Wanted to thank everyone for the help with this fix. I have a 2001 Acura EL (bascially a re-branded Civic - Canada only model for Acura), with a similar problem: DRL warning light and left highbeam wouldn't work, even though bulb was fine.

Simply re soldering the indicated areas on the DRL relay box did the trick.

Some quick notes for those who may be working on the issue now:

1. I recall a thread where someone had to unbolt the relay box to remove it. No need to do this - just push it up and it should slide off the support bracket. Took a lot of force, but it does eventually slide off - no need to undo the bolt.

2. The location, if you're having trouble finding it, is beneath the steering wheel, to the left - behind and above the trunk release. You only have to remove the 2 panels there to get at it - fairly easy. Only grey box in that area.

Thanks again folks.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

thanks to all of members

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I have same problem. where is this circuit board located?

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

IIRC it is to the side of the steering column. (left side looking from driving position) The pix should make it easy to locate.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I just fixed my 2004 Si by removing the module and re-soldering the relays cracked joints. Two of the joints were cracked.
The module is a grey plastic box about 1.5" x 3" x 5" located below the steering column.
Unplug the connector going to it, pull the box out, pull the board out and look for cracked joints. Very common problem.
I found this video very instructive:
I read that other models may use remote relays located under the glove compartment. Not mine.

Best of luck!

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I just fixed my 2002 Acura EL using the techniques described earlier. Thanks a lot.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

this works on my car to thanks for the help everyone
My car is a 2004 honda civic dx special edition the DRL
light was on and the daytime running lights did not work
at all and when a turn my lights on then high beams only
the Left high beam worked didnt seem like just the daytime running light module
but it was and now everything works like new.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

I have a 2002 civic and my DRL indicator is on, and my left high beam is out. I changed the left bulb but it is still same. I will try to resolder the points on the module as shown on the video and see if it works. Thanks for the video.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Hi i thought it was the bulb to i changed the bulb noticed the filament was not burned out in the old bulb changed it anyways it still did not work, then found this forum and soldered the DRL module board and it fixed my DRL and my high beam not working, it almost certainly will fix your problem if you solder the DRL module board.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Figured out what the annoying buzzing sound was related to, Googled, and found this forum and also this page, which is great http://www.nyx.net/~smanley/hondadrlfix/index.html
Turns out I had 2 cracked solder joints, the same 2 as Jerry Lee.
Thanks, everyone.
BWT, anyone know why the buzzing seems to come from the passenger side while the DRL box I fixed is on the left of the driver's side?

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

^^^I think there is a relay associated with drl behind the glove box area.

re: DRL Problem [solved]
 

Hi, I am a supplier for DRL; I think it may be relative to the DRL's control logic.
Some supplier design the drl to be dimmed(half brightness) or off when the headlights(or turning light) is on, when the headlights if off, DRL will return the original status. When the power engine is off, the DRL will still keep staying on for 10~20 secs before turn off. Some suppliers' design will do nothing when the headlight is on.
For the sound, I think it comes from the power control box. But I am not quite sure what exactly it happens.

http://www.catecardvd.com/products/d...012-cd253.html
http://www.catecardvd.com/images/DRL...Civic_2012.jpg