[ptownoddy]

I’ve been having a strange problem which developed in my 2018 Honda Accord Touring 1.5L 47k miles a few weeks ago. I noticed that whenever I get in the car, none of the interior lights (door, maps, rear seat, trunk) illuminate and it’s pitch black. They should illuminate as soon as the car is unlocked or when you open the door but they do not. When I start the vehicle, they briefly flash on and then immediately go off so I know it isn’t a fuse. Also, sometimes, most of the interior dashboard or console lights don’t come on either including the transmission position, window buttons, lock buttons, heating and air-conditioning controls etc. The infotainment and speedometer work but other “auxiliary” functions do not. This seems to be hit and miss. Most of the times they aluminate but sometimes they don’t come on at all. Also, I have noticed that my headlights are now malfunctioning when I exit the vehicle. The headlights shut off after a few seconds while the fog lights remain on for the full 60 seconds as they should. Instead, both should remain on for the duration. I have tried disconnecting the battery for a couple minutes and reconnecting with no change. Again, the problem seems sporadic and occasionally works but seems totally random and puzzling. I’m assuming there is some sort of computer logic which needs to be reset or perhaps the sunlight sensor is broken but I doubt it because it does automatically turn my headlights on when I enter a tunnel or drive in sunset. Any thoughts?

 

[Fired00d]

Haven't heard of this before but thinking out loud something easy (and cheap/free) to do would be to have the battery loaded tested if it's still the original battery. With all the electronics in our cars with a battery going bad it might present intermittent electrical issues.

 

[ptownoddy]

Hmm. Good point. It is the original battery although the car starts fine - no issues I’ve noticed with starting etc. I have an extended warranty so I’m hoping the dealer will provide some insight. I’d think if the battery is going sour I’d have some other symptoms.

 

[Fired00d]

I recently replaced battery in my car and up until one day I was using a car vacuum (kind that use power plug in car) without the car running it was fine. I noticed as I was vacuuming it started to run slower and slower, lights in dash flashed and when I went to start the car battery was dead.

Luckily you have the extended warranty and anything other than the battery it should be covered... let us know what you find out as to what is causing the issues.

 

[Vegashybrid]

Hmm. Good point. It is the original battery although the car starts fine - no issues I’ve noticed with starting etc. I have an extended warranty so I’m hoping the dealer will provide some insight. I’d think if the battery is going sour I’d have some other symptoms.

Not necessarily. Sound like a battery issue with that age/mileage. Unless you have added aftermarket lighting of some sort and failed to mention it.

 

[Fired00d]

@ptownoddy any updates on your issue?

 

[KayGeeP]

I recently replaced battery in my car and up until one day I was using a car vacuum (kind that use power plug in car) without the car running it was fine. I noticed as I was vacuuming it started to run slower and slower, lights in dash flashed and when I went to start the car battery was dead.

Luckily you have the extended warranty and anything other than the battery it should be covered... let us know what you find out as to what is causing the issues.

You should never run high power devices such as a vaccuum or an air pump without starting the car. Those things user a lot of amps so keep the engine running so you don't kill the battery

 

[KayGeeP]

I’ve been having a strange problem which developed in my 2018 Honda Accord Touring 1.5L 47k miles a few weeks ago. I noticed that whenever I get in the car, none of the interior lights (door, maps, rear seat, trunk) illuminate and it’s pitch black. They should illuminate as soon as the car is unlocked or when you open the door but they do not. When I start the vehicle, they briefly flash on and then immediately go off so I know it isn’t a fuse. Also, sometimes, most of the interior dashboard or console lights don’t come on either including the transmission position, window buttons, lock buttons, heating and air-conditioning controls etc. The infotainment and speedometer work but other “auxiliary” functions do not. This seems to be hit and miss. Most of the times they aluminate but sometimes they don’t come on at all. Also, I have noticed that my headlights are now malfunctioning when I exit the vehicle. The headlights shut off after a few seconds while the fog lights remain on for the full 60 seconds as they should. Instead, both should remain on for the duration. I have tried disconnecting the battery for a couple minutes and reconnecting with no change. Again, the problem seems sporadic and occasionally works but seems totally random and puzzling. I’m assuming there is some sort of computer logic which needs to be reset or perhaps the sunlight sensor is broken but I doubt it because it does automatically turn my headlights on when I enter a tunnel or drive in sunset. Any thoughts?

Could be the battery going or a blown or loose fuse

 

[Fired00d]

You should never run high power devices such as a vaccuum or an air pump without starting the car. Those things user a lot of amps so keep the engine running so you don't kill the battery

True (directions even state that). I was only using it for a limited time to clean a specific area and not the entire car so thought I could get away with it. Had it not been for battery being at the end of it's life I probably would have gotten away with it.

 

[KayGeeP]

True (directions even state that). I was only using it for a limited time to clean a specific area and not the entire car so thought I could get away with it. Had it not been for battery being at the end of it's life I probably would have gotten away with it.

Perhaps, that is if you didn't blow a couple fuses first....