Author Topic: 2003 Honda civic DRL light and a strange buzzing noise?? (Read 19650 times)

Zombie · « **on:** October 01, 2007, 02:45:28 pm »

Hey Guys,
My wife was telling me about a buzzing sound coming from her dash (sounds like it anyway) some times when she turns the car on.
She said that it turns off when she puts the E-brake down so she thought it had something to do with that. When I checked it out I noticed that it only happens when the DRL (Daytime Running Lights) light is on in the dash, not all the time but usually when you start the car. This correlate to what the wife noticed since the DRL turn on when you put the e-brake down.

Has anyone ever experienced this before?

Cheers Jay

jcon · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2007, 03:39:08 pm »

If you're asking about e-brakes and DRLs being linked, on my Neon they were and on my Accord they are.

Otherwise, your question isn't clear to me.

Zombie · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2007, 04:15:11 pm »

Quote from: jcon on October 01, 2007, 03:39:08 pm

If you're asking about e-brakes and DRLs being linked, on my Neon they were and on my Accord they are.
Otherwise, your question isn't clear to me.

I know that they are linked my wife on the other hand did not. She thought that the issue was with the parking break but I'm sure it is with the DRL.
I did a search on the web and it looks like other people have had this same issue.

http://www.car-forums.com/s9/t22242.html

So if it is the same issue I will have to have the DRL relay replaced. It is located in the dash on the passenger side.

barrie1 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2007, 11:43:30 pm »

Is this another problem with this brand of vehicle as it sure sounds like it.

rrocket · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:00:19 am »

Yea...but on the Honda you have to replace the part ONCE, and not 5, 6, 7 times like on a GM...

barrie1 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2007, 11:37:25 pm »

Ya but with the cost of parts for it its probably just as cheap to buy another car.

Zombie · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2007, 12:22:47 pm »

Quote from: barrie1 on October 02, 2007, 11:37:25 pm

Ya but with the cost of parts for it its probably just as cheap to buy another car.

This is an interesting comment as I was just having that conversation with a mechanic friend that works at a GM dealer. He said that GM parts are really expensive and that allot of the other mechanic drive foreign cars because parts are cheaper. He said that typically VW parts are cheaper then GM parts.
I was shocked and I actually don't know if I even believe him but since I don't drive a GM I don't really know.

This seems to be the opposite of what I have hear from people, so now I have no idea.

carburator · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2007, 02:18:00 pm »

I just can not believe that not one person has suggested that there might be a bees nest forming under the dash !!! Call a pest control service .. not the dealer
http://www.andybox.com/images/joey_bees.jpg

jcon · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2007, 02:25:47 pm »

Quote from: carburator on October 03, 2007, 02:18:00 pm

I just can not believe that not one person has suggested that there might be a bees nest forming under the dash !!! Call a pest control service .. not the dealer
http://www.andybox.com/images/joey_bees.jpg

I would have ASSUMED that he did the "Bee Check" before enlisting our help... everyone knows about the "Bee Check", come on!

Zombie · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2007, 04:53:35 pm »

Ya there arn't any bees around the car when this is going on.

rrocket · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2007, 09:18:42 pm »

Oh trust me...the wheel bearing cost for the Alero makes my eyes water......

barrie1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2007, 11:51:24 pm »

Thats a entirely different part from what has been discussed and is also located elsewhere on the car. Whats this a Bate and switch type of deal to try to win your point. Wasting my time is one thing but not everybody elses here as well aye.

JerryLee · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:23:35 pm »

I have had the same problem (2001 Civic LX, right head light DRL) for one year. It got worse in the past couple of months. I just turned on the head lights all the time to get rid of the buzzing. I checked the wiring diagram and suspect the DRL module. I found a clue at wikianswers and took out the DRL module board. Crack solder points found at the relay pins. Resoldered them, no more buzzing and the right head light is back in DRL status. This saved me at least $150.
Crack solder points are common when the pins are over heated. I believe this issue is common on this batch of DRL boards. You will see it sooner or later.
I have some pictures for you to locate the module but do not know how to post. Send me a line I can email you back if you need them.

taowenxing · « **Reply #13 on:** June 06, 2009, 07:58:31 pm »

With the pictures help from JerryLee, I fixed the same problem of DRL light for my 2001-honda-civic. It has been buzzing us for a year. My wife asked the Honda dealer here (California), they suggested to replace the bulb, or order parts from Honda Canada. So, after reading this post, and today I got time, by following the instructions, open the two covers under the steering, and pulled out the gray relay box on the left bottom side, and took out the relay-board, and easily found the crack solder pins. Resoldering the pins on the back of the relay board did the trick.

Thanks a lot guys, and JerryLee.

Winston

duck · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2009, 12:37:57 pm »

I had the same issue. Come to think of it I have had all the issues you never dreamed of.
If the noise is coming from the steering column when starting it most likely is the DRL relay. Cost me $134 to replace at the dealer. I had to crank the engine over about five times before the vehicle started. All I got was the buzzing noise .

VanBC · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2009, 04:43:21 pm »

My wife's 2003 Civic was having the same problem. I followed JerryLee's instructions and pics, it worked like a charm. Took me awhile to figure it out, but I am not mechanically inclined. JerryLee wants to remind you that should use flux(soldering paste?) before attempting to solder. Thanks JerryLee you rock.

thunder · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2009, 10:00:28 am »

Hi there,
am glad to see there is a forum to discuss common problems. Can someone tell me or show me where this Daytime running lights module is located on a 2003 civic. I have had the glove box out and still cannot find a gray box. Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

SWARD · « **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2009, 05:12:01 pm »

Quote from: JerryLee on May 25, 2009, 10:23:35 pm

I have had the same problem (2001 Civic LX, right head light DRL) for one year. It got worse in the past couple of months. I just turned on the head lights all the time to get rid of the buzzing. I checked the wiring diagram and suspect the DRL module. I found a clue at wikianswers and took out the DRL module board. Crack solder points found at the relay pins. Resoldered them, no more buzzing and the right head light is back in DRL status. This saved me at least $150.
Crack solder points are common when the pins are over heated. I believe this issue is common on this batch of DRL boards. You will see it sooner or later.
I have some pictures for you to locate the module but do not know how to post. Send me a line I can email you back if you need them.

philscar · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:14:42 pm »

I resoldered my drl board a year ago and the buzzing stopped and everything worked properly.Now my drl light is on full time on the dash and the drl headlights don't work at all.Hi beams and lo beams seem to be ok.
I'm going to put new headlight bulbs in for a start and go from there.Resoldered the board again this am but no change.

Phil

philscar · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:16:17 pm »

Quote from: philscar on February 24, 2010, 01:14:42 pm

I resoldered my drl board a year ago and the buzzing stopped and everything worked properly.Now my drl light is on full time on the dash and the drl headlights don't work at all.Hi beams and lo beams seem to be ok.
I'm going to put new headlight bulbs in for a start and go from there.Resoldered the board again this am but no change.

Phil

Installed 2 new headlight bulbs and Shazam!!Everything working .

Phil