Hey this is my first topic posted. I figured you guys know more than any of my uneducated friends, so here goes.
I need some advice/help regarding my electrical in my civic. I have a 92 Si and my lights are constantly shorting out. I had JDM headlights before and I went through 5 pairs of bulbs (H4H-$80.00/pair) during the year that I had them, and now my fog lights are shorting/burning out too! My front end got smashed recently so I got some TYC Elegante Projector lights and after 2 weeks one of the low beams (projector) is already burnt out. Every time I use my left turning signal all my interior lighting (gauges, clock...etc.) flashes, as if it's shorting out.......HELP!!!!!!

 

I would suggest first checking all your wiring. If you got hit in the front end there's a good chance that a wire is pinched/split open and shorting on the chassis somewhere. Now since you replaced the headlights, are you sure that there is no place that water is leaking into it to short something? Also check your grounds. Especially the main grounds around the block. Also make sure you have the right amp fuse in the fuse holder. If you have too high amps running through the vehicle it'll burn your wires as well. That's all I can really think of right now and I hope it helps. Welcome to H-T and I would like to extend my appreciation to you for posting a well written and well described topic for your first post and you also did not bring up VTEC or "VTECH" haha. Welcome to the site and good luck!

 

Thanks for the help/welcome!
Is there something that I can buy to help with the high wattage of the projectors?
I think the bulbs i'm using are 100W.... I'm not sure if this would relate to my problem....
Other than that I guess I basically have to follow/check all the wires.....?

 

I really cannot provide much input into what you can use because I never change anything out with headlights, I just replace stock bulbs with stock bulbs...but I DO know that if you use a wattage bulb that is too high it WILL cause too much draw on the electrical system and cause wires to melt/other bulbs to dim/blow out so that could be a problem but I have no idea what wattage is acceptable. Someone else please chime in about that?? I know balast boxes have to be used with HIDs...I really can't think of anything else. But good luck with them!

 

Oh....I forgot to mention, (not sure if related at all..)
I have a touchscreen tv(indash); 400W Inverter, amp & 2- 12" subs....
not bragging......just trying to cover all the bases...
(I really don't know very much about wiring/electrical)

 

Two things...ok three...

1. When using high intensity bulbs you should have a relay to provide the power to them. The stock wiring will not handle the amp pull.

2. Speaking of amp pull, have you upgraded to a higher output alt? You might be pulling more current that the alt can produce.

3. Check your grounds for the lights too.

 

At the risk of sounding like a dumbass, what is a relay again? I've heard of it , i'm just not very familiar with it. I have an Ls/Vtec ( B18B block/B16a head, PR3 Pistons.....) so.... I guess I would have a bigger alt. than the stock civic si....
Is there any way to test the wiring and find out where the problem is coming from???
(Thanks )

 

In it's simplest terms, a relay is just an automatic "switch" of sorts that controls some when power goes to a specific electrical device on a line. A glorified fuse if you will. A transformer however is better to control the voltage itself going to the object using the power, a step up transformer will take one kind of voltage and "step up" the output, or there are step down transformers that work the same but obviously go down. As for the other questions someone else will have to chime in again.

EDIT**You should be able to take the car to a local auto store (autozone, advance auto, pep boys) and have them test the alternator, they will tell you if it's good or not and be able to tell you the output of the alternator. Then what you'll have to do is find a way to tell what voltage the lights use...(i have no idea how to do that..sorry) and you can go from there. Or you can always call the manufacturer of the lights and ask them, they should know the answer.

 

Okay, thanks alot Brandon!!!!

 

A relay is a power activated switch. It is used for applying high power applications.
A good example of one is the starter solenoid. It uses low voltage to turn on the relay which throws the switch and turns on the high power circut.