patrickvertigo

Has anyone tried this? I just recently installed hid's in my 96 civic. They are aftermarket projectors with hid bulbs and just standard halogen high beams. The reason I ask is because I know that hid bulb life is significantly reduced when they are turned on and off repeatedly (Not to mention ballast life). Does anyone know where there is a DIY on this type of thing? I'm kind of getting sick of holding back the light lever to achieve this.

Thanks in advance guys, I tried searching but I didn't get a good answer from what I read.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

There are harnesses out there that you can buy to do this. Basically it consists of a few relays to keep the circuit closed to the low beams even when the high beams are switched on.

patrickvertigo

Do you know of any links out there? I guess I don't really know where to look. I figured it might be done like that, but I also thought there might be a way to rewire the switch on the shift column to do the same thing. Would there be a way to make it work that way?

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

I always used to see them in JC Whitney catalogs back in the day.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/HIGH-4-HEAD...2852_10101.jcw

patrickvertigo

That link shows it for a GMC. That wouldn't work for a civic would it? That is exactly what I would be looking for though.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

It *should* work for any vehicle that has a circuit that turns off low beams when high beams are activated.

patrickvertigo

Thanks for all of your help. I will definitely consider that, and keep my eyes open to other options. I still think if I look at some circuit diagrams for the headlights I should be able to find a way to troubleshoot the switch on the steering column. Maybe..

patrickvertigo

I have a link to a wiring diagram of the headlight switch on the steering column. If I were to put a jumper wire between B4 and B3 wouldn't that allow for the low beams to stay on when the high beams are activated? The only thing is that I'm not sure if the B4 pin is on the American version. What do you think?

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...tionswitch.jpg

patrickvertigo

any chance of this working?

e46civic

Dont put a jumper, just move the low beam wire.

patrickvertigo

What is your reasoning behind that? Would it work the same either way?

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

The B4 pin is only on Canadian vehicles, which require daytime running lights. It runs the high beams at half power or something.

I think jumping B3 and B5 might work, but I would need to see the page that shows how the switch is wired. In my Integra book it shows that chart with a diagram of how the switch is wired right above it. In your book it should be on the preceding or next page from that one you posted.

The power should come from the fusebox in through the B6 terminal. When you switch on either low or high beam, either the B3 or B5 terminal makes contact, respectively. If you jump the B3 and B5 wires, then it should send power to both low and high beam when the high beams are switched on.

However, if you do this by connecting wires outside the switch, that's going to send twice as much current through that one terminal in the switch for the high beams. Probably not a good idea. You could end up burning out the switch.

That's why I think that part from JCWhitney would be better and safer, since it uses a relay to keep both low and high beam on at the same time.

patrickvertigo

I included the USA version wiring diagram. I was thinking that a jumper or just moving the wire from B3 to B4 would work. B4 is shown as not used Look at this and see what you think. Thanks. I couldn't get the canadian diagram to upload but there is a link for that here http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...Diagram150.jpg

patrickvertigo

Wow that uploaded small here is a link to the USA version. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...Diagram150.jpg

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

That's still the CAN version, and yeah I can't read that attachment, too small.

I really don't think you should be messing with the switch/wires. I think that's just asking for the switch to be overloaded, which could at the very least pop fuses, or at the most cause a fire.

e46civic

I have using this method for 5 years or so. Move the low beam wire to the empty spot and low beams will stay on with the high beams. The 88-00 civics and the 90-00 Integras use the same switch.

e46civic

I just remembered, I also use the original low beam spot to power my fogs so they shut off with the highs. I didnt get a complete harness, so I improvised.

patrickvertigo

I just finished moving the wire to the empty slot. Worked great. This should be stickied in the lighting forum. It is a great mod for people who have separate high and low beam bulbs. Thanks for all the help guys.

a_harrcivic

I see that it worked for you, is there any diagrams or could you explain how you did it so it connects in my head?

Thanks

patrickvertigo

Basically, you have to take the cover that is on the steering collumn off. Once this is done, you can removed the connector that is fastened to the backside of the turn signal switch. In the backside of the this connector, there are 7 slots. I attached a picture location but you might have to save the image to your computer to resize it or zoom in. I can never get these images to show up in a big size. After you do that, you will be able to see that you are moving the wire that is in slot B3 on the connector to slot B4. Another way to put it is that you will be moving the wire next to the only empty slot in the connector to the empty slot. That is all there is to it. Let me know if this doesn't explain well enough.

a_harrcivic

Thanks, did it yesterday before I went to work, surprised at how quick it took, although it was only movin that one connector wire from B3 to B4. The only thing that took me forever was tryin to get the connector out of B3, I finally was able to get it out but yeah.

Thanks again.

eckoman_pdx

Wire up a custom wiring harness with relays. Civic's are a positive trigger so it's easy. I've wired up several cars this way, and Civics are one of the easiest to do. Toyota's, on the other hand, are a negative trigger and a PITA.

You'll want 2 relays, a diode, a bunch of wire, 2 fuse holders, one H4 male plug and 2 H4 female plugs.

dwolsten

You can also buy this part:

http://www.wolstentech.com/timedelayrelay

It works with H4 or 9007-type systems, with positive or negative triggering, and also has adjustable turn-on and turn-off delays.