I own a 1990 Civic DX, and sometime last week the running lights stopped working.

Here's the frustrating part, when the car is OFF the running lights will turn on just fine. So, car on = running lights off, car off = running lights on.

I'll admit that I'm not too good at electrical, but I've at least been able to check the bulbs and fuses. I've tracked down a OEM wiring diagram and was hoping someone could help me understand it better.

http://i28.tinypic.com/fbgrpy.jpg

If you start following the triangle on the right that lists;

- Dash lights
- Front position lights
- Taillights
- License plate lights

I only see four different things between that and the battery,

- 10A Fuse (checks out okay)
- Lighting Switch
- 50A Fuse (checks out okay)
- 50A Fuse (checks out okay)

So if I understand correctly, the problem should be in the "Lighting Switch", which happens to be built into the control stalk. Maybe I'm over thinking all this, I'm about to head to the wrecker to grab 2 or 3 of the control stalks to see if it fixes it, but if there's anyone good with automotive wiring that could give me some insight it would be greatly appreciate it.

 

Alright, the lighting problem has been FIXED.

For future reference, it was the running light relay behind the glovebox and to the left. I don't know if it could be fixed, I just replaced it with a working unit from the wrecker.