Chillboy

First time Acura owner and post here, but I've had a Civic like most along the way

These lights are killing me. Previous owner broke the passenger side clip but it's solid and fixed now but I'm a little stumped on wtf is going on here.

I had drivers side low beam, passenger side high beam and no daytime running lights (DRLs).

After replacing both front headlights (although the filament seemed ok) and checking all fuses replacing a couple that didn't look blown;
I have DRL's but drivers side seems weaker.

I still have same drivers side low beam, passenger side high beam and now daytime running lights (DRLs) are on. The passenger side molex has had some melting so tomorrow I plan to check it with a multi-meter, but the drivers side looks fine and I have no clue.

Is there a headlight relay that I should be checking? Where?

Any insite before I get back at it tomorrow??
I am trying to get this car certified and I live in Canada and it's cold in the garage

Chillboy

New passenger side headlight plug fixed that side.
Drivers side I have low beams no problem (over 12V) but high beams are only getting a little over 4V.

These Canadian models have a gray DRL box located behind the glove box with relays and I believe resistors inside. The DRL's work by cutting voltage to the highbeam part of the bulb and come on in off position. It is a known problem on a high miles TL.
So I pulled it out and brought it home. The relays don't go bad, they just get hot and desolder themselves.

I just want to get it running properly to finish my certification checklist but after (or if the box fix doesn't work it will happen sooner) I'm going to put my own relays in.
I also picked up 5 pin ISO auto relays (and fuses) so I can even run different daytime running lights (maybe use the fogs..) the 87a pin runs power when relay is open.but the point is to take the higher load off the 14 year old wiring system that has already been overloaded.
Factory wiring will trigger relay and I'll put 10ga power off alt. and 10ga ground and 14ga to headlights from relay.
I hope the gray box fix works so I can see if the new thicker gauge wire and relays work. (one for high beam, one for low, 30A fuse on new power lead and 15A fuses after the relays to headlights).

Wish me luck! Hopefully I don't have to get to the relays until a warm day I choose

Chillboy

All the other lights are working fine and were just bulbs or fuses.
Although I pulled apart a good bit of the drivers side harness looking for a short and it doesn't seem so, I'm guessing I will have to reground the wire I pull from the original harness to keep them working. But they are on their own fuse..I'm tired.

Here are good write ups that gave me the idea to add new relays;
http://www.allpar.com/fix/electrical...ghts/index.php
http://www.mgexperience.net/article/...elays_revb.pdf

Chillboy

HOW TO FIX YOUR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NO DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM
Awesome writeup. Only thing I did differently was use a 10mm socket to take the one bolt out, then undo molex to remove the whole box.

Worked for me. I found 3 cracked solder joints. I just reheated them while pushing down on relays to reseat them.
I will add my own relays later for good measure but I have 2 better things to worry about for now. And I'd like to take my time on a warm afternoon.
I should have temp tag off in a couple of days, no more luck or seaching required.

Chillboy

At the 2 places I've looked the sales guys really knew their bulbs and the 7440 for front (and same rear) turn signals only come in clear. But our headlight corners are clear covers.
I can order $35 PIAA's for it but that seems so silly to me (I already have a boy racer turbo nissan..).
I'm going to call Honda tomorrow but where are you guys buying bulbs for this???
For now mine are painted orange but that will burn off...