Full Beam stays on

[chesjak]

Hi
When I flash the headlights main beam it doesn't go back to dipped. I have to go under the bonnet and bang the fuse board to release the solenoid. Even if I turn the ignition off, the headlights main beam still stays on.

Has anyone else had this and if so how did you rectify it.

Coming up for an MOT so need to get it srted or it will fail.

Many thanks for any help

 

[Channel Hopper]

What does stop the high beam ?

I would suspect the steering console switch might be behind it, have you had any damp issues in the car ?

 

[Richard B]

I have opened up relays and cleaned contact points. They aren't especially complicated.

 

[F6HAD]

Have you tried replacing the headlight relay?

 

[chesjak]

Hi
F6HAD Richard B I think both your suggestions would solve the problem but not sure how to do it. Exactly where is it and how do I get to it. Also, if I disconnect the fuse box will it cause any electrical problems.

I read somewhere that it could be the Electrical Load Distributor, whatever that is. If it is, how do I get to that also.

Thanks

 

[F6HAD]

If banging the fusebox is solving it then sounds like a sticky relay. Just locate the correct one using the fusebox key printed on the box (or possibly in your owners manual) and simply remove and replace it.

 

[Richard B]

If banging the fusebox is solving it then sounds like a sticky relay. Just locate the correct one using the fusebox key printed on the box (or possibly in your owners manual) and simply remove and replace it.

It's actually not that simple.

The headlight relays are buried inside the Relay Control Module, which is that unmarked sealed box to the right of the engine bay fuse box. Honda treats this as an non-serviceable part, and it looks like it is built into the fuse box itself, but apparently can be separated.

People don't seem to be all that aware of this part, because it rarely plays up. As a consequence, you don't see them for sale all that much. I think wrecking yards sell it as part of a complete fuse box. People who have trouble with this part mostly do not get answers, as far as I can gather from online forums. Yet all Hondas past 2000 seem to have them. They might even be identical between models. IDK, there just isn't much information available.

The Gen 7 Accord/TXS Honda Workshop Manual doesn't even point out where it is located in its parts diagrams, and only mentions the name as part of a test procedure (attached).

 

[chesjak]

Hi Richard B
I was rather thinking that was going to be someones answer. It doe seem that the lights go off when I hit that Sealed Box not the fuse box.

If I have a go and try to take it apart, do you know if it will cause any electrical probs such as damage to other electrical components.

Where did you get that info you displayed by the way. Is it part of a manual somewhere I can get hold of

Regards

 

[Richard B]

From the few examples that can be found online, it looks like the box unplugs with a single multi-connector. I ***ume it is some sort of clamshell body that can be probably be pried apart. From what I gather, the relay control Module controls a lot of stuff.. I can describe what to look for in more detail, but if you've played with electromechanical stuff before it will be straightforward. Let me know.

As long as you are not ham-fisted with this stuff, you shouldn't break anything. You do need to be careful when you are removing carbon from a contact surface that if you use sandpaper you make sure any dust or shavings are blown or vacuumed away from the circuit board(s).

One important thing though. It could be that your problem is caused by running 100W bulbs in your high beams. They should be 55W, and the additional current needed for 100W is what is overloading your relay contacts and causing them to stick. With the level of quality in Honda's components, there is probably some sort of condensor in place to to protect the contacts from sparking, which might not be able to deal with 100W. Just a thought.

Yes there is a workshop manual. It's a database that only runs on Internet Explorer, or Edge in IE mode. I'll drop you a PM.

Also, if you open the RCM, please take photos. No-one has done this, and it would be very useful to see what is going on in there.

 

[F6HAD]

It's actually not that simple.

The headlight relays are buried inside the Relay Control Module, which is that unmarked sealed box to the right of the engine bay fuse box. Honda treats this as an non-serviceable part, and it looks like it is built into the fuse box itself, but apparently can be separated.

People don't seem to be all that aware of this part, because it rarely plays up. As a consequence, you don't see them for sale all that much. I think wrecking yards sell it as part of a complete fuse box. People who have trouble with this part mostly do not get answers, as far as I can gather from online forums. Yet all Hondas past 2000 seem to have them. They might even be identical between models. IDK, there just isn't much information available.

The Gen 7 Accord/TXS Honda Workshop Manual doesn't even point out where it is located in its parts diagrams, and only mentions the name as part of a test procedure (attached).

I hadn’t realised that. I’ve swapped headlight relays on other cars (most recently one of my old Saabs a few months ago) for the very same issue. I had always ***umed it was the same replaceable item on a Honda. I guess you never stop learning in life!

 

[Richard B]

I would much rather have found a simple, replaceable set of relays.

I hope u/chesjak at least finds some simple through-hole board mounted relays. That, we can fix. The more I think about it though, the more likely it is that at least for concurrent generations, these relay control modules are the same part. Honda insists on replacing the entire fuse box as a fix.