2003 Honda civic DRL light and a strange buzzing noise??

[Zombie]

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]

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]

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]

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

[rrocket]

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

[barrie1]

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

[Zombie]

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]

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]

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]

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

[rrocket]

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

[barrie1]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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