Honda Accord Combo Switch ( headlight, high beam, turn signal ) Repair or Replacment 87
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- This video is only for this specific model and switch type. If yours is different, this video probably won't help unless you can separate the concept from the actual work. Please read the additional info below!
Please expand this description for details and notes The combo switch for the older Honda Accords can be an expensive component to replace. On the 87 (Please note, this video is not for other models) it's one piece for both the headlights, high beams, blinkers and parking lights/running lights and the wiper/sprayer levers.
This is my first 'how-to' video that I've posted for car repair. It's long but it is very detailed.
I've tried to incorporate an index at the start of the video to make sections easy to locate and I used a high resolution camera to clearly show details of the work.
This video is for an older vehicle without airbags, for newer vehicles with airbags you should reference relevant documentation or take it to a professional. Airbags can be deadly and are also expensive to replace if you set them off.
You can get a bit more life out of it by repairing it. I shot this video to show the steps of removal, repair and replacement, but you can skip the repair step if you have a new/used part. It's probably not a bad idea to check the used part because there's a chance it's in bad condition too.
You can also use these steps to clean up the wiper combination switch as well, but the dis-assembly of the wiper switch is not shown in this video.
This takes about 1.5 hours to do and requires some level of mechanical ability. This can fix some of the following problems:
* Headlights are on but interior lights and parking lights/running lights/tail lights are off or the other way around.
* High beams don't come are, are stuck on, or other high beam issues.
* Blinkers one one side or the other don't turn on or work intermittently, fiddling with the blinker lever can make them work sometimes.
Notes:
There are some terminology glitches which I've corrected with annotations/pop-up text throughout the video.
It's fine to use dielectric grease on the non-electrical components of the switch and you can use it on the actual contacts themselves. The silicone in dielectric grease will break down eventually from arcs and sparks in normal operation of the switch and when it does it creates silicate.. basically it becomes gritty and can damage the contacts. If you're going for a long term repair you'll probably want to use a white Lithium based grease such as Lubriplate DS-ES (around $5US for a 1.75oz tube) or something along those lines on the actual contacts themselves.
If you open the switch and find that it is melted inside, the switch is likely too far gone to repair and you will need to replace it. The only way to know for sure is to open it up and look.
In other models/makes of cars the combination switches may consist of separate left and right units which can be removed without having to remove the entire steering wheel. You'll steel need to remove the covers from the steering column and the dis-assembly/assembly is unlikely to be what you see in the video.
I welcome comments or suggestions, but please keep it civil and friendly.
This video seriously made me save HUNDREDS of dollars. I got pulled over twice for the tail light/headlight problem and received warnings thankfully. It's hard enough to find a tutorial such as this for ANY car model, so I was incredibly fortunate to find one for my exact car model and year. Thank you very much for this.
I just replaced the combination switch on my 1986 LX Accord. To remove the steering wheel, I just poped the honda emblem from the steering wheel to access the nut. That way I didn't need to remove the horn cover. Good video.
One more thing, to disconnect harness connectors, I find it easier to use a flathead screw driver. Push down the clip on the center of the connectors and twist the flat head, connectors will come right out.
Thanks for this detailed and great video. I was abled to get the melted switch work again.
Thanks a lot (from Germany)
That's a very green technique! Great video. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. If you're low on cash this is the way to go! Great job and great video. You certainly have the patience to do the job work. When you used all of those different grades of sand paper I knew you were on the case. Patience is Golden! So many people run through things so fast. You were perfect with your technique. Thanks for the excellent video.
I have an 86 Accord, and my high beams got stuck on while driving at night. Had to be that ahole with his high beams on for a while til I could get somewhere safe. The switch seems to use a slightly different mechanism for that year, with a clothespin shaped bolt instead of a screw holding it in. I think a plastic piece snapped off. Will try to jerryrig it or find a replacement. Thanks for this very clear and informative video!
Well, to clear things up, It was the hazard switch. I didn't notice it had a bearing. I went ahead, and put it back, and worked like a charm. thanks, for the video though, It was very helpful.
This is an excellent video - I just repaired the high beam/low beam problem with my 1988 Accord using this video (headlights went OUT when going from high beam to low beam). Saved me $258!! It's not really a complaint, but I think the 4 different kinds of sandpaper were a bit of an overkill. I just used the tiny wire brush attachment on a Dremel tool - very fast and easy.
+Staunton Cottrell Glad it worked for you, thanks for the positive feedback! The one I had was very badly pitted and it took a lot to clean it up thus the multiple types of paper and very fine grit. If you don't get it smooth and shiny the problem will come back after a time.
I am having that exact same problem, other than cleaning, did you do any other specific jobs? Thanks in advance if you can help a brother out.
This video is incredible, thank you very much. This helped me replace the combination switch on my 1984 Honda Accord, it was basically the same as in this video. My tail lights and instrument panel backlight had stopped working, but thankfully an autowrecker in Vermont had a barely-used, near-mint replacement switch for my vehicle and that one works perfectly. Everything works again. Thank you sir!
Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad it helped you out!
Excellent video demonstration and commentary. Thank you.
A couple of months ago the high beams on our little 1990 Accord began to fail, but only until the interior of the vehicler warmed up. Recently the problem became more consistent. My mechanic can't work on our car this week, and we need to make an unexpected road trip, so I looked around to see what the electronics looked like inside. Your video was perfect.
Once I saw how things fit together, I sprayed some electrical contact cleaner in alongside the turn lever and PRESTO, I have high beams immediately and consistently even at 15 Centegrade (about 60 F).
We'll probably have to have the combo switch taken out and cleaned later, but this should serve for our trip . . . and maybe for the life of this car. Couple hundred dollars saved.
Amazingly helpful and understandable video. Kudos and thank you! I broke off the wiper switch arm from unit and will need to replace the whole unit. May take it to a mechanic but will refer them to the video. Wish you were near Louisville and would take to you. Again, thank you!
Hi gil, sorry for the long response time. I would connect the old switch to see if the blinkers work with it. If they do, then there is a problem with your replacement combo switch. The internal contacts can be seen at 14:25 in the video. If the old switch does not activate the blinkers, you will want to look for the blinker relay module in the same area as the connectors and make sure it has not come loose. Good luck!
Life saver ❤ thank you for making this!!
Wow! great step by step, detailed video - well done!!
Thanks !!!!! this video totally saved my day. THANKS !!!!!
This was so helpful! I fixed my lowbeams! Thank you!
thanks for getting back to me. and thanks for the very detailed video :) yeah I got some time.
It sounds pretty similar to the problem this Honda was having. I'd recommend giving it a shot if you have the time to do it and need to save a few bucks. Alternately you might be able to get a replacement cheap from an auto scrap yard. Good luck with it!
How about a video to fix the headlight to open and close
Thank you very much!!
A really need it, I just did it on my accord 88'
great video
Thank you for posting this
I'm not quite sure what you're explaining. Are you referring to the high beam switch when you push it away from you or pull it towards you? If so, the high beam lever activates a spring loaded latching switch internally, but returns to center when you release it. You pull the lever towards you again to release the latch switch and turn the high beams off.
I really appreciated this video, very informative. My 88 acura legend's headlight switch is giving me issues; either i have the headlights on or my taillights. seldomly i can get both unless i toy with it for a bit. Do you think that the polishing the contacts method be a temp. fix like you stated? i'm hoping to get it fix as i can't drive at night haha anyway thank you for the video.
Well done!
I have an 1989 Honda Accord and both the front and back lights flash, plus I can hear the flasher. My problem is both dash lights left and right in the dash do not work. Could this problem be in the turn signal switch? Or could both lights in the dash be just burned out?
Hi! I had to change the combination switch on my 87 accord and everything went great EXCEPT when i put the steering column cover back on i couldnt get that rubber skirt to fit over the top and the cover wouldnt sit right. Do you have any thoughts about that? Would it help if I waited to put that bottom panel that allows access to the wiring harness back on for last? If it's off does the wheel go down lower? Thanks!
The headlights on my 2002 Honda Accord aren't working, and the guy I bought it from said that I needed change out the fuse box because he fried it. I changed out the fuse box, and the headlights still dont work, so then I changed out the fuses for the headlights. Still doesn't work. Next, I changed out the bulbs, still doesn't work. My next thought was that the connectors that the bulbs go into needed to be changed out for they were very broken, but my buddy said that I should test the wires to see if any fire is gettting through first. I bought a tester from O'reilleys and tested each two wires that run to their own bulb. In other words, I had to test four wires, and on both couples, one wire wasnt getting any fire. What is causing this? How do I find the part of the wire that needs to be spliced? Any help or response would be appreciated. thanks.
As I'm sure you've discovered car electrical systems can be fairly complex and difficult to troubleshoot, mostly because all of the wires are taped or tied up in harnesses and run back and forth through the firewall, etc. If you're not having any luck after doing all of that, it may be time to have a shop look at it, they would be much more able to help you by seeing it in person and be able to give you an estimate. There could be a bad relay, fusible link or other issue, who knows what the previous owner did to the circuit to 'fry it'.
I have a 92 Honda Accord, and the low beams don't want to work at all. I've swapped out the bulbs themselves and the fuses are all good. The high beams work fine and so do the blinkers, any advice?
thx man grate job, was good info, i will try this on my hyundia excel 95.. mybe do a little video, im having headlight pb too..:D..
I recently just changed the old one. And the New one I junked workes perfectly, the only thing is, The light switch does not click back in forth, as in the actual hardware, the lights work and everything, sound as well. but It feels as if the actual light switch itself, is not getting stuck, in position. Would you know the answer to my problem?
Great video. self-explanatory.
I may have a similar problem with my 2006 Honda Accord. The signal flasher doesn't work when turned on and the right signal lights don't work either. Is the combo switch the culprit? and would I take similar steps as the ones here in this clip to examine it?
Dav Njn The combo switch wouldn't be the first thing I'd suspect unless you've eliminated other possibilities such as a bad blinker relay, fuse or wiring issue. Check a repair manual for the wiring diagram and see which parts are involved, then check each one individually. A relay or fuse is easy and cheap to replace, combo switches are neither of those, in comparison. This video is specific to the one I cleaned up, I would not recommend referencing it for other models because if parts fall out and you have no reassembly reference it may not work right when you put it back together. Good luck with finding your problem!
I've already ruled out the fuse issue as I've checker them all and they are all in working condition. How could I check for a bad blinker and wiring diagram.
Dav Njn You can usually find a basic wiring diagram in a Haynes or Chiltons manual from the auto parts store, they also have troubleshooting information and a bunch of other useful stuff. The relays for most vehicles seem to be around $20-$30. If you're in doubt have a shop diagnose it for you and decide what to do from there.
TheHouseBlog
I bought the original OMRON relay from Honda for CAD $38 and replaced it and my problem with the right signal was fixed. Thanks for the great tips.
Hey i wanted to see if u know how to fix my problem or can give me any tips i have a 2007 honda accord and my front left light dont work they go on and keeps shutting on the single doesn't work when i put my hight beams the right head light gos out i tryed the fuses but there all good
Lights work only when they want to
I replaced the combo switch with a junkyard switch and the lights now work fine, but the turn signals won't go at all. Any ideas?
I'm trying to do this to an 88 honda accord and it's a little bit different. I'm trying to fix the high beam part because it won't turn off.
My parents have a 1989 honda accor, how do we fix the headlights, they will not retract, they go on but not retract back. Any advice?
On my 2003 Honda accord the high beam lights work but if you put them on dim you only have park lights what could be wrong Please help
Help
Hello I need to replace my honda accord 1989 (the version on the video ) combo switch because the rigth arm is completly broken.
Help me to I find a new our used one in Portugal or from europe with order safe system.
Thanks
candida
Yeah I'm not sure if mine is bad my head stay on when the car is running I have no parking lights or dash lights my blinkers do work every time I go to change the fuse they keep blowing will a bad switch cause that
This doesn't sound like a switch problem to me. If you're electrically handy you can check the wiring harness for shorts, burns, rodent chewing, discoloration or chafing against a part of the frame. If any equipment in the vehicle has been added or replaced recently, make sure that the wiring harness was not accidentally pierced with a screw or pinched somewhere. Don't try a larger fuse, if that crossed your mind, that could result in a fire.
I have a 2000 Honda Odyssey van but,I have no speedometer light,no tail lights,no licence light,But when I get in van and turn on lights on column first click of switch lights nothing but 2nd click puts lights on,Is this problem my Headlight switch??? Thank you for your advice?
Apologies for the late response, just saw it while responding to another. It does sound like a possible switch issue, but also make sure to check your fuses and condition of the wiring as well. Bad electrical connections or corroded/damaged wires can cause the current to travel in weird paths through a car's lighting system with strange results.
high beam stuck on, on my 05 honda accord. it has an airbag in the steering wheel how do i deal with that when taking the wheel off.
Because an airbag can injure or kill you if it goes off while you're working on it, I'm not going to give any advice on this. These are a different beast anyways, apparently with CAN bus controlled headlights. Check this page for some possibly useful information mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/13022/honda-accord-2005-headlight-relay-location Good luck!
Why didn't your headlights retract? We were watching to see if your headlights would retract, they just turned on and off, no retraction. When I turn the switch on they turn on and go up, but they won't close, retract, what could be the issue? We changed, the motors, relays, fuses and still won't retract. Now we are going to change the switch, will that help?
The Honda has a switch to disable the retraction, this was set to disabled, which is why the headlights didn't go down. It sounds like you've been through quite a lot to try and get those to retract, have you checked not the combo switch, but the dash switch for disabling retraction? I don't know your particular model but maybe check this link here, the guy said by pulling his retract fuse, and then putting it back in it reset his retract control unit and it started working again. www.mr2.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-74545.html Good luck with your car work.
it is a 1989 honda accord lxi
super
I have a 2012 Accord and I have problem with my passenger High Beam. It stays on without the ignition and wont turn off unless i pull off the bulb or fuse. Could the multifunction switch be short and can be causing the issue? I have already order a new switch.
soshimontage1 If your high beam and low beam are the same bulb and only one side is affected, it may be a short inside of the bulb itself causing both high and low filaments to be on at the same time. Replacing the bulb would fix it in that case. If they are separate bulbs, then it could be something else in the wiring. A problem in the combo switch usually seems to affect both driver and passenger lights together but I've not seen how the 2012 Hondas are set up. Good luck with finding the issue.
TheHouseBlog I have try swaping my bulbs with my driver high beam and i receive the same issue. The driver side is good and gives me no problem. I did alot of research and alot of folks that ran into this issue said it was the multiswitch and it solved their problem after replacing it.