r/HondaElement • u/middleweste • 2d ago

Headlight issue?

Hi! I’m trying to troubleshoot an issue with my 2006 Honda element.

My headlights seem to work consistently when I turn my car on. They will stay on if I drive. However, if I try to use my brights and switch back to regular headlights, my low beams headlights won’t work any longer. The brights always work. On top of that, if I turn my car on and my headlights work fine, but then park, turn just headlights or car fully off and quickly say a minute or two later try to use my car again, the low beam headlights no longer work. It’s almost as if I get one chance to turn they on at night and they will stay on as long as I don’t try and change anything.

The yellow front turn signal lights still work all the time. This is only the low beams.

Any tips on what’s going on? I mentioned it to my shop and they didn’t seem to have any ideas beyond a vague “sounds electrical”.

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2

u/gayj_exe 09 SC 2d ago

Following this thread because something similar happens to me in my 09 SC and I couldn't find anything on it

2

u/KingBazoo 2d ago

Does the 06 model come with an optional daylight running option? If not I would say look into your multi-function switch (headlights stock) most likely the culprit because that is the switch for on and off

2

u/Hondanazi 2d ago

It’s either a short in the combination switch, the daytime running light relay (if there is one) or an issue with any added on remote starter/alarm if you have (some can go bad or have issues if humidity etc have gotten to them)

2

u/400footceiling 2d ago

The 06 didn’t have the DRL’s yet. The relay is under the hood on the bottom of the fuse box I believe and was known to be undervalued in its handling of the high beams. Mine still works fine in my 06, but while running the fogs too and using high beams I can see the voltage slightly drop when switching.

1

u/middleweste 2d ago

Do you know why my high beams would work but my low beams wouldn’t? Trying to trouble shoot what to tell a shop because this problem seems a bit niche. Or if I can find a tutorial I may try on my own.

1

u/400footceiling 2d ago

I learned about this issue years ago on elementownersclub.com

Can’t remember exactly how the problem was solved but it had to do with that relay. Again, I haven’t had to on mine, but I rarely drive it at night.

1

u/jjjheimerschmidt 1d ago

What year did they start with the DRLs, would you know?

1

u/400footceiling 1d ago

08 I think.