"DRL" warning light in 92 Accord

[kovacsa]

Hello All ...

I'm hoping someone may have encountered this problem before.

This applies to Canadian model Honda Accords 90-93, but may be a general Accord problem at the same time.

The "DRL" warning light stays on while driving. According to the manual this indicates a burnt out high beam light. A high beam light was indeed burnt out and was changed and works ... most of the time.

The DRL light still stays illuminated though while driving. The only time this warning light switches off is when the headlights are switched on for night driving.

I'm thinking there may be a faulty wire somewhere, or, I know in the case with some cars, there has to be something that needs reseting in order for the light to switch off.

Any ideas, Suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
kovacsa

[accordztech]

got a helms manual? i never heard of that, well of course its a canadian car. u can call the dealer and ask and they can give u general information on it.

[sickhonda]

DRL stands for "Daytime Running Lights", which is standard and required safety measure on all Canadian vehicles. It's normal for the vehicle to automatically display this as an indication that your DRL is engaged, meaning just the headlights are on during daytime driving, but not your taillights. When you switch on your headlights at night, it disengaged the DRL.
If you're located in Canada, it's illegal to override this system, but here in the US you can. You can add a relay to override the system, but because the default is still that the DRLs come on every time you start the car, you have to consciously turn them off.

[97Accord-SE]

When the DRL light is on that means that your daytime running lights are not working, which will probably mean that at night when your turn your brights on one of them will not work. The light shuts of when you turn your lights of cuase they are not needed when your driving lights are turned on. Most likely there is a short somewhere in the wiring. i had the same problem with my 97 Accord.

[kovacsa]

Hey .. thanks for the response ... I have a feelign that it is aswell ... because I've had the problem for a few months now ... it will be on for a week or two, then go off for a week or two. Strange. It is true that when the light is on, only one of the highbeams work (the right one if it matters). Any ideas?

Also ... another issue I'm having is a mild vibration. When the car is at at idle (around 700 rpm), it will vibrate. I've recently changed the spark plugs to the recommended ones and to no avail. I've also tried adjusting the valvues (at the dealer). I'd like to not just throw money at the problem so I'm looking for what it could likely be. Anything in the fuel system? I've heard that one. ... it might need a cleaning beyond fuel injector cleaner.

Thanks for your help,

kovacsa

[Micah]

I had the exact same problem with my 94 accord. The DRL light would sometimes be on, sometimes not. The problem was with the DRL module.

Inside this module there were some bad solders on the circuit board. They were so bad I could see them with the naked eye. Just remove the module and re-solder the connections. Mine worked perfectly after!

The DRL module is located under the dash just above the brake petal on my car.

Let me know if it works out for you!

[abstract821]

I agree....sounds like faulty wiring somewhere.

[domsalinc]

Hi Guys,

I'd like to check on the soldering of my DRL module, since I have the DRL light coming on, on my car.

Can you point me in the right direction ? Is it the size of a relay ? Or Is it that "brown" rectangle right above the Fuse box on the left hand side of the brake pedal ?

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by kovacsa

Also ... another issue I'm having is a mild vibration. When the car is at at idle (around 700 rpm), it will vibrate. I've recently changed the spark plugs to the recommended ones and to no avail. I've also tried adjusting the valvues (at the dealer). I'd like to not just throw money at the problem so I'm looking for what it could likely be. Anything in the fuel system? I've heard that one. ... it might need a cleaning beyond fuel injector cleaner.

Thanks for your help,

kovacsa

I know zilch about Honda DRL modules, but the idle vibe is a common complaint on 4 bangers. Check real good for vacuum leaks, the vibe is caused by excessivly lean idle. On some you can drill out the cap over the mixture screw on the throttle body (i'm assuming you are fuel injected) and turn it out a little, just enough to fatten it up so the vibe stops.

[AccordCodger]

Whoa, Jeffcoslacker - this thread is getting on towards 2 years old!

domsalinc only revived it because he/she wants instructions on locating the DRL module. (Which I can't answer, by the way, not having DRLs).

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by AccordCodger

Whoa, Jeffcoslacker - this thread is getting on towards 2 years old!

domsalinc only revived it because he/she wants instructions on locating the DRL module. (Which I can't answer, by the way, not having DRLs).

I never look

[Micah]

The DRL is light grey in color and is about the size of 2 cigarette packs back-to-back. When looking up under the dash by the brake petal, you will see it fairly high up with a wire harness in the bottom of it.

[domsalinc]

Originally Posted by Micah

The DRL is light grey in color and is about the size of 2 cigarette packs back-to-back. When looking up under the dash by the brake petal, you will see it fairly high up with a wire harness in the bottom of it.

thanks MICAH,
I found the module and removed the PCB to find this ancient Thru-hole technology. I was looking for an open circuit somewhere, as the problem is intermittent, and I read that some guys had soldered some pins back together ..ie cold joints. Couldn't find anything wrong. I'm guessing that one of the relays on the PCB is sticky, because when I replug it into the harness and tap it with a screwdriver, the lights flicker on and off. I guess I have to live with it or pay out $100 for the replacement from the dealer. Sounds like a rip-off.