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Honda Civic: Why Don't My Low Beams Work?

You rely on your low beams for most day and nighttime driving needs. With a bit of patience and extra time, you can save yourself from potentially costly repairs by fixing them yourself.

By Kate Halse - March 24, 2015
Contributors: boostB4beauty

This article applies to the Honda Civic/Del Sol (1992-2000).

The low beam lights provide adequate visibility without temporarily blinding oncoming drivers as the more intense high beams tend to do.There are several reasons why your car's low beam lights might not be working. If you're unsure how or where to begin, start by checking to see if the headlight bulbs are burned out. Other culprits could include a faulty headlight switch, a blown fuse, or a bad ground. Here's a look at common problems and steps you can take to identify and even correct the issue.

Step 1 – Check the headlight bulbs

They might have burned out.

If your low beams aren't working properly (or at all), you should start by checking to make sure the headlight bulbs are in good working order.

  • Open the hood.
  • Check the back of the headlight to determine the lamp and bulb type.
  • If the bulb is burned out, replace it according to the owner's manual instructions.
Figure 1. Inspect the bulbs for defects.

Step 2 – Check the switches

They might be bad.

Faulty or malfunctioning switches are generally quite simple to diagnose and replace if necessary. Symptoms of a faulty switch may include having just the parking lights turn on instead of the low beam headlights. In this instance, the high beams will work just fine. The issue could stem from dusty or dirty switches, which should start to work normally after you clean them off.

Figure 2. Inspect headlight switches.

Pro Tip

If your switches seem OK, inspect the grounds. Bad grounds will produce similar symptoms.

Step 3 – Look for blown fuses

They might need to be replaced.

A bad fuse may result in a single-sided headlight failure. If you suspect a blown fuse, locate the appropriate fuse (number 21) underneath the car's dashboard. There should also be red fuses for both the left front and right front low beams; inspect these fuses as well. In some cases, simply wiggling or removing the fuses then reconnecting them can make the headlights work.

Figure 3. Search for blown fuses.

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