Just purchased a "new" 1994 Civic EX, 2dr, manual. AS-IS at auction. Drives great. A lot of aftermarket additions that worry me a little (spark plugs, ignition system, intake, alarm system). The stereo was removed rather abruptly.

Have (1) fairly major elec issue...originally, had to turn the headlights on for the climate control to work. Suddenly, neither work (lights or climate control). Background lights still work. Nothing else seems to be out. Assume that there's a short or loose connection somewhere. Started with grounds and fuses-so far cant find a problem. A lot of loose wiring (dead end wires / some burned) under the driver dash and engine compartment. Going through elec schematic to see what does what. Any input to the troubleshooting process would be greatly appreciated!

Dean in central Illinois

 

Hmmm sounds like a lot of wiring work. Might just grab yourself the Helms manual and go to the junk yard and start pulling cabin wire harness'. Then just straight replace them. Less hassle than rebuilding a harness if it's been badly mutilated. With a replacement harness it's pretty much plug and play.

 

you said the stereo seems to be abruptly pulled out

and wires that end in random places...

trace back all the wiring to its original harness there should only be two harnesses or so under your dash at that point see what goes to your radio harness isolate all the wiring that comes from individual harnesses with different color tape

ex: all the dead end wires that come from one harness mark it blue tape
all the dead end wires that come from another harness mark it with tan tape

then trace the harnesses to the particular they seem to perform

ex. one harness goes into your steering column
another might go to your ecu

check the head lamps slightly pull back the covering to see if it is for an ex a white wire with orange dashes on it then on your passenger side above the floor board under the dash where the wires go into the cabin locate the same collored wire trace it to where it goes ecu fuse box etc. check where it has been manipulated for aftermarket radio alarm install etc... return it to its original state and its should be just fine...

sounds like a basic wiring issue ... just trace your wires completely through visioaly and physily your bound to find your problem

 

The climate control lights should only turn on with the light switch on.

 

Thank you for all the info...I had hit a dead end and have a lot of avenues to try now.

Enjoying the troubleshooting if you can believe that.