When you talk about the interior lights of a car, they include dome lights, dash lights, and map lights, and other light sources inside your vehicle.
So when you say that your Honda Civic Interior lights are not working, you need to be specific. In some cases, it is just one of the lights that are malfunctioning. Sometimes, all of them stop working at the same time.
Diagnosing the problem is quite straightforward, with the right tools in hand. We will discuss how to do this in this post as well as shed light on some ways to solve the problem.
Honda Civic Interior Lights Not Working: Problems and Fixes
In this section, we will look at the different problems that may affect your Honda Civic interior lights. We will also look at the causes of these problems and proffer solutions.
Adjusted switches
One of the first things you should do when your interior lights malfunction is to check the dome lights. This is because, when there is a problem here, it is very easy to diagnose and fix. Most times, the problem is that someone else has adjusted the light switch or dimmer switch.
All you need to do is fiddle with the switches to get the light back on. If it is the dash light that is too dim, you can adjust the dimmer to get it bright again. When you have tried adjusting the switches and the lights don’t start functioning normally, you have more complications.
Blown fuses
Now that you know that adjusted switches aren’t your problem, you need to check the fuses. It is also pretty easy to know when you have a fuse problem. For example, all the other electrical parts of the car like your radio are working well. However, all the interior lights are off.
The question you should ask yourself here is, “what do these lights share in common?” Fuses. Check the fuse box and look at the map to find the location of the associated fuses. If the fuse is not properly fixed, you can fix it properly. However, if it is fixed and the lights don’t come on, you need to change it because it is burnt.
Wiring problems and short-circuits
We all know that when a fuse gets blown, there is very likely an underlying electrical problem. There is an easy way to know if you have such a problem. Simply replace the blown fuse and watch how long before it blows again. If it blows almost immediately, then you sure have wiring problems or a short circuit.
Sometimes, you may have the ability to handle a short circuit problem if you have prior experience. However, if you don’t have the experience, you might need to reach your mechanic for help. Usually, you can trace short circuits to locations where the wires crimp or bend routinely.
When you locate the shorts, you simply need to fix them up. Once you do, the interior lights should start working normally. If they don’t, then you may have other problems.
Bad door switches
Every door jamb in your Honda Civic has a door switch. This is why when you open a door, the interior lights of your car come on. The process of switching on and off depends on these switches working properly.
You probably haven’t seen the switches because they are covered with a rubber boot. To locate them, you have to pry these boots off using a flat-blade screwdriver. If your lights are not coming on after all the previous checks, it is likely a door jamb switch problem.
Simply unscrew each switch and test it with a multimeter. If there is no continuity on the multimeter after activating a switch, then that switch is bad. You need to replace it for the interior lights to start functioning normally.
Interior light modules
In most Honda Civics, the interior lights remain on for a few seconds after closing the doors. What this means is that they are controlled by an interior light module. If you have checked everything else and they check out fine, it could be that the light module is faulty.
Fixing the light module isn’t difficult. However, we advise that you seek professional help to do this. This is because throwing in parts for this component is quite tricky. You need to have some bit of experience to do it right.
Burnt bulbs
Sometimes, you may notice that some bulbs come on and others don’t. The reason for this may be a burnt bulb. Fixing this problem is pretty easy, one of the easiest on our list.
Simply take out the cover of the light and replace the bulb. By doing this, the light should start working properly.
