Wiring problems of the 2002 Honda CR-V

The low beams stopped working while driving and the plastic wire harness connector that plugs into the headlight switch started smoking and burned up. The headlight switch I can get through Honda but I can't find the plastic wiring harness connector. It is not safe when your low beams both go out when driving cause the wire for the low beams burns up in the connector for no reason. Updated 11/25/11 updated 11/30/11.

On 8/1/2011, while driving our 2002 Honda crv, I noticed a strange smell. When darkness fell, I realized that the low beams on my vehicle were not working, through the high beams and every other light on the vehicle worked. This has happened twice before - once in November of 2009, and once in March of 2010. When it happened previously, I first checked the bulbs and fuses. They were all fine. I then researched the issue on the internet, and looked into a wiring harness behind the steering wheel. I found a wiring harness that contained some corrosion between connectors that had melted somewhat. I scraped off the corrosion and applied some dielectric to inhibit future corrosion, and the lights came back on. I spoke with the service attendants at my local Honda dealership (with pictures that I took of the offending harness), and after checking their computers, they told me that there was nothing on record regarding the issue. I have not yet made the (obviously temporary) repair for the most recent occurrence of this issue. I'm thinking that I may take it to the dealership service to see if they can come up with a more permanent solution.

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Cr-v. The contact stated that the low beam headlights would intermittently fail. The contact also stated that the steering column would become hot during the failure and she could smell a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the wiring for the headlight switch was burned. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 12/20/11 the dealer found the headlight bulb burned out and the wiring at the light switch was burnt and the connector was damaged. Updated 12/23/11.

My wife and I own an 02 Honda Cr-v that has headlight failure problems. I have researched online and found that there is an issue noted at different forums concerning the steering column electrical connection at the dimmer/turn signal switch. Our headlights failed during normal use in June of 2011. I took my steering column cover off and looked at the electrical connection to the dimmer/turn signal switch and found it to be partially melted. I cleaned the connections and reinstalled the connector. The repair lasted only temporary (2 months) and then the lights failed again. I have determined that the replacement of the wiring connector is the only complete repair, but since I have heard there is an investigation, I wanted to acknowledge that my 02 Honda suffers this problem of a faulty wiring connector from the manufacturer at the dimmer/turn signal switch. Updated 09/07/bf.

Multiple problems with low beam headlights going out - high beams continued to work in all instances. First incident 11/19/2007 replaced part of wiring harness due to the wiring harness had melted. 9/20/2010 low beams went out again - replaced the headlight switch. 3/7/11 low beams out again - replaced the headlamp switch. 6/2/11 low beams out again - replaced the multiplex control module. 12/2/11 low beams out again - in shop disconnected and connected wiring - low beams working. 12/24/11 low beams went out. 12/25/11 low beams came back on by themselves. 1/4/2012 low beams out again - in shop checked connections. Picked up car low beams working. 1/5/2012 - low beams out again. Approximately 3 other visits to a mechanic - connections unplugged and replugged to get low beams working again. Also at least 5 other instances where the low beams went out and came back on before I could get the Cr-v to a mechanic. 9/2011 motor trends magazine reports issue of low beams headlights going out on Honda Cr-v models 2002 - 2005. I have spent over $1000 trying to get this issue resolved. Issue with wiring harness melting sounds very much like the recall that Honda issued for the fit - 'wiring harnesses for the headlamp control switch - the connector could overheat and fail, rendering the low-beam lamps inoperable. Honda notes that high-beam headlamp functionality is not impeded by this issue. '.

While driving, steering wheel began smopking and car smelled hot (somethingin the steering wheeel column was on fire). My husband turned off the headlights and the smoking stopped. We tookthe car to the dealer the next day and were told it was a switch that had overheated. Switch was replaced at a cost of $225. We were told that this was not a recalled item onthe Honda crv but that this was an identified problem inthe Honda civic. We were advised to report this proble to the NHTSA.

Our 2002 Honda crv was destroyed by fire. Car was in the driveway of a private home. Car was turned off for 5-10 minutes. Car started on fire and was destroyed.

Dealer was unable to hook up wiring harness on tow bar that goes up to the motor home. Consumer feels it's unsafe to drive without tail lights on tow bar. Also, if a vehicle weighs over 1000 pounds, in some states, item that is being towed must have brakes. Brakes were not availble at time of purchase. This vehicle was purchsed with a contract agreement to be able to tow behind a motorhome. The dealer was unable to complete the agreement. Consumer was informed by the dealer that the rear lights were not working as required and the braking system was not wired. The wire system is required to activate when the tow vehicle brakes. The manager told consumer that Honda would not spend any more time or money on a proper installation.