# High beams won't come on **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** civic, honda\ **Created:** [September 30, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216 "2017-09-30T14:06:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cr810j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc8723/32.png) [@cr810j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cr810j)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/1 "2017-09-30T14:06:38Z")
Just bought a car and found out the high beams won’t come on. The bulbs seem to be good. Before replacing them do you have any ideas about what it could be? It’s a 2014 civic lx. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/2 "2017-09-30T15:40:16Z")
> [@cr810j](#): > > The bulbs seem to be good. How did you determine this? ---
**Author:** ![Noonamee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/noonamee/32/8855_2.png) [@Noonamee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Noonamee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/3 "2017-09-30T16:34:25Z")
Check the electricity with multimeter, use anything that can be powered by 12V ( LED, rotors, small toys, etc.), switch with other bulbs, ( DRL, low beam, etc) to see if there is power. Remember to turn on the high beam when you check it. If it won’t turn on after all, it can be the fuse, or wiring, have a look at User Manual to see if the fuse is good. PS: My Honda’s 3rd brake light bulb went out although it still looks good. If yours die, you can replace it with LED bulbs for cheaper price and don’t need to worry about it since everybody only use highbeam once in a while ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/4 "2017-09-30T23:20:07Z")
> [@cr810j](#): > > Just bought a car and found out the high beams won’t come on. The bulbs seem to be good. Before replacing them do you have any ideas about what it could be? It’s a 2014 civic lx. Try locating the headlight relay and note the part number. Now see if another relay has that same part number. Swap relay positions and see if that makes the high beams operate. If it does then the relay is probably defective and needs to be replaced. Also, it could be that the multifunction switch has gone belly-up. _ **CSA** _ ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/5 "2017-09-30T23:23:49Z")
> [@dominhtrieu](#): > > PS: My Honda’s 3rd brake light bulb went out although it still looks good. If yours die, you can replace it with LED bulbs for cheaper price and don’t need to worry about it since everybody only use highbeam once in a while Have no idea what the third brake light has to do with the headlight question. This is a vehicle with a rebuilt title so using anything but original equipment replacements is just asking for more problems. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/6 "2017-09-30T23:27:30Z")
> [@dominhtrieu](#): > > PS: My Honda’s 3rd brake light bulb went out although it still looks good. If yours die, you can replace it with LED bulbs for cheaper price and don’t need to worry about it since everybody only use highbeam once in a while What?? This doesn’t make sense. If the 3rd brake light dies replace it with an LED and don’t worry about it since high beams are only used once in a while? 🤔 I’m afraid that **@cr810j** is interested in fixing the high beam headlights. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/7 "2017-09-30T23:27:45Z")
A light bulb is a pretty simple device. It has two inputs, and if 12 volts and ground are connected to them, it will light up if it is good. So that’s what you have to measure, does it have 12 volts and ground to the two inputs when the headlights are turned on. Some headlight bulbs have three inputs, 1 for the low beam filament, 1 for the high beam, and one for ground. But once you figure out which is which, the test is the same. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/8 "2017-09-30T23:32:22Z")
> [@cr810j](#): > > Just bought a car and found out the high beams won’t come on. The bulbs seem to be good. Before replacing them do you have any ideas about what it could be? It’s a 2014 civic lx. > [@VOLVO\_V70](#): > > This is a vehicle with a rebuilt title so using anything but original equipment replacements is just asking for more problems. **@VOLVO\_V70** How do you know this? 🤨 **@cr810j** What the… Are you withholding important information? Was this a rebuilt vehicle? 😬 _ **CSA** _ ---
**Author:** ![pyrolord314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@pyrolord314](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pyrolord314)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/9 "2017-09-30T23:41:31Z")
> [@common\_sense\_answer](#): > > @VOLVO\_V70 How do you know this? 🤨 > > @cr810j What the… > > Are you withholding important information? Was this a rebuilt vehicle? 😬 > > CSA From a topic about 12 days ago: > [@Sound on front driver's side. Any ideas?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sound-on-front-drivers-side-any-ideas/107887/8): > > It’s a 2014. It is a rebuilt title however. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/10 "2017-10-01T02:02:32Z")
If its a reconstructed car, buy a multi meter from Harbor Freight for $10. I’ve got a feeling it might get some use in the future. Accuracy is really not that important at this stage, you just need a yes/no answer. But yeah, start at the bulb with a meter to check if its good. Use the meter to check if you have voltage at the socket for the bulb. Check/substitute the relay. Then its on to the circuit breaker and then maybe the switch. ---
**Author:** ![Noonamee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/noonamee/32/8855_2.png) [@Noonamee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Noonamee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 2:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/11 "2017-10-01T02:23:09Z")
You can’t inspect the light bulb by looking at it. My car brake light bulb went out and it looks good, it can be the same case for his high beam. ---
**Author:** ![sdrdesignsdr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@sdrdesignsdr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sdrdesignsdr)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 4:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/12 "2017-10-01T04:29:22Z")
Many cars have separate fuses for the high beams. Check the fuse box. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 6:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/13 "2017-10-01T06:09:26Z")
They have circuit breakers for the headlights that reset again if they blow. Its possible to have a bad one but usually lights will flash on and off as the breaker resets and not be off all the time. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/14 "2017-10-01T12:47:38Z")
> [@dominhtrieu](#): > > You can’t inspect the light bulb by looking at it. My car brake light bulb went out and it looks good, it can be the same case for his high beam. Often one can inspect the bulb by looking at it, but I agree that sometimes it’s not conclusive. I have had bulbs with filaments that partially detach and become intermittent. **However** , my comment was based on your Post Script admonition that is not good advice for somebody asking how to fix their high beam headlights. > [@dominhtrieu](#): > > PS: My Honda’s 3rd brake light bulb went out although it still looks good. If yours die, you can replace it with LED bulbs for cheaper price and don’t need to worry about it since everybody only use highbeam once in a while **Your advice on the request for help on how to fix high beam headlights… don’t worry about it?** Am I reading your remarks correctly? That’s what I’m questioning. _ **CSA** _ ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/15 "2017-10-01T13:02:39Z")
> [@cr810j](#): > > Just bought a car and found out the high beams won’t come on. The bulbs seem to be good. Before replacing them do you have any ideas about what it could be? It’s a 2014 civic lx. **So, @cr810j, I heard it through the grape vine that this vehicle has a rebuilt title. Is this correct?** Depending on the location of damage on the vehicle, the extent of the damage, the quality of repairs and the expertise of the “repair technicians,” all bets could be off. Rather than thinking of this vehicle as a 2014 Civic LX, one might have to think of it as a “homemade” car, like one somebody would fabricate in their garage, a one-off experimental vehicle. Perhaps you are not aware, but there’s a reason why rebuilt cars are given “rebuilt titles” and the car’s value is drastically reduced. It could be that you just discovered one. 😉 Standard advice pertaining to a 2014 Civic LX, or even to any factory built car, could be null and void. _ **CSA** _ ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/16 "2017-10-01T14:45:22Z")
My 2010 Honda (Insight) has a separate 10A fuse for _each_ high beam bulb. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/17 "2017-10-01T15:21:32Z")
i “think” you pull the stalk back to flash the hi beams but push it forward to make the hi beams stay on? my 15 civic is that way. you twist the control on the stalk to turn on the headlights. pull the stalk and/or push the stalk next. you are saying doing either results in no hi beam function? my car has DRL so the lights are always on. you start car, lights are on. is your DRL function working? ---
**Author:** ![Noonamee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/noonamee/32/8855_2.png) [@Noonamee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Noonamee)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/18 "2017-10-02T04:18:20Z")
Excuse my ambiguous words, I mean sometimes people go for OEM parts, which are usually expensive than aftermarket products but less performance. In this case, I want to advice him that he doesn’t have to buy the expensive ones as long as the new ones fit but forgot to ask how often he used the high beam. ---
**Author:** ![cr810j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc8723/32.png) [@cr810j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cr810j)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/19 "2017-10-02T14:29:44Z")
Ended up being a loose/broken connector. Going to have to replace that. Thanks guys! ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216/20 "2017-10-02T15:17:32Z")
> [@cr810j](#): > > Ended up being a loose/broken connector. Going to have to replace that. Thanks guys! Congratulations on a job well done. In my state, a car without working high beams will not pass annual inspections. They’re there for a reason, and can save you from things like a deer or moose strike on backwoods roads. I’m glad you didn’t take the advice to ignore it. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-beams-wont-come-on/108216.md?page=2)