Hello all, this is my first post at h-t. I bought a 1990 Civic CX Hatchback about a week ago and I need some help fixing it. Everything works great except sometimes my tail lights don't work. I checked the fuse boxes and the bulbs, and as many connectors as I could easily access. I'm about 99% sure it's a corroded connection somewhere on the car. Every other light works...

Can anyone give me any suggestions for fixing this problem? My mechanical skills are somewhat lacking and the wiring diagrams in my Haynes manual might as well be in a foreign language. :D

In case it matters my car has the dual-point injection 1.5L (anyone have an engine code for that BTW?) Also the car has a Pioneer head unit installed (figured the stereo could cause a problem if the wires crossed or something...)

Thanks! I look forward to learning more about my car from you all.

 

Thought I'd add some pictures for you guys!




I also forgot to mention it's dohc.

*Edit*- sorry links don't work- here's my page.
http://www.geocities.com/disableddan



Modified by disableddan at 4:29 PM 11/29/2005

 

the brake lights arent working or are the parking lights not working? did you check the fuse under the hood?

 

If the brake lights don't works sometimes, its more then likely your brake switch, which is located on the pedal assembly above the brake pedal.

 

you might ask whether or not the taillights worked before stereo install. that could point you in the right direction.

 

The stereo was installed prior to my buying the vehicle.

The brake lights, reverse lights and turn signals all work all the time. The tail lights, license plate light and the rear side markers don't work (sometimes.)

I have already checked every fuse and as many connections as I can, but like I said I am not the most skilled mechanic in the world.

Off-topic- bought some NGK Iridium spark plugs and some OEM replacement plug wires today. I'm not sure they made any difference but I swear my car now has slightly better power at low RPMs and starts much better. w00t.

Thanks!

 

When mine did that it was the headlight switch. Head lights still worked tail lights just quit. I wired in my own switch and have had no problems since.

 

When mine did that, it was the rusted connector. When I say rusted, I mean one connector is FUSED to the light bulb and the spring has rusted away, and the other needed lots of lube to get a bulb in. Since then I've fixed the water leak.

For this case, all that's needed to do is to change out the sub-harness (includes the two brake/running bulb sockets, reverse socket, and sidemarker) and new bulbs.

 

I currently have intermittent issues with my running lights as well... Although it seems that my interior lights are affected by this as well. Ive found that it could be my dimmer potentiometer that's causing my problems but I have yet to verify it as the culprit.

My suggestion is to trace ever wire in the lighting system and check for continuity. Its also quite possible there is a relay taking a crap.

 

Check for corrosion on the harness or on the connectors...your harness with the connectors could be losing voltage...

 

mine did the same thing. it was actually water on the ecu connector, as the brake light runs to it so it knows to cut fuel. my a-pillar on the right side is rusted, and it was dripping over the ecu.

 

Well, its too cold out to work on my car now and it goes into the shop on monday anyway, so I guess I won't have to worry about it much longer. But it's good to know other people have had that problem- that way I know my car isn't f*cked!

Thanks for your help dudes!