1996 HONDA CIVIC electrical switch

How the Circuit Works
Seat Belt Warning
With the ignition switch in ON (ll) or START (lll),
battery voltage is applied to the seat belt reminder
light. When the seat belt is not buckled, the seat
belt reminder/key-on beeper circuit in the
integrated control unit senses ground through the
closed seat belt switch. The seat belt reminder light
comes on and stays on, and the beeper beeps for
6 seconds. The reminder light and beeper will stop
when the seat belt is buckled or the timer circuit
deactivates them.
lgnition Key Warning
Battery voltage is supplied at all times to the seat
belt reminder/key-on beeper circuit in the
integrated control unit. When you turn on the
ignition key switch the integrated control unit
senses ground. lf you open the driver's door, the
door switch closes, causing the beeper to sound
until the door is closed.
Refer to the Service Manual (Section 23, Electrical)
for specitic tests or troubleshootrng procedures.
73-1

Gauges (cont'd)
- How the Gircuit Works
When the ignition switch is in ON (ll) or START (lll),
battery voltage is supplied through fuse 25 to the
gauges in the gauge assembly.
Speedometer and Odometer
The odometer and soeedometer drive circuits
receive pulses from the vehicle speed sensor
(VSS). The pulse rate increases as the car
accelerates. The frequency and duration of these
input pulses are measured and displayed by the
speedometer, odometer and tripmeter.
Tachometer
The tachometer drive circuit receives pulses from
the ignition control module (lCM) in the distributor
assembly or the ECM/PCM. The solid-state
lachometer then displays these pulses as engine
speed. For each 200 pulses per minute from the
ignition control modul€ (lCM) or the ECM/PCM, the
tachometer displays 100 RPM.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge has two
intersecting coils wound around a permanent
magnet rotor. Voltage applied to the coils, through
fuse 25, generates a magnetic lield. The magnetic
field, controlled by the coolant temperature sending
unit, causes the rotor to rotate and the gauge
needle to move. As the resistance in the sending
unit varies, current through the gauge coils
changes. The gauge needle moves toward the coil
with the strongest magnetic field.
The 6ngine coolant temperature sending unit's
resistance varies from about 137 ohms at low
engine temperature to between 3H6 ohms at high
temperature (radiator fan running).
Refer to the Service Manual (Section 23, Electrical)
for specific tests or troubleshooting procedures.
81-2
(
Fuel Gauge (All except cX)
The fuel gauge has two intersecting coils wound
around a permanent magnet rotor. Voltage applied
to the coils, through tuse 25, generates a magnetic
field. The magnetic field, controlled by the fuel
gauge sending unit, causes the rotor to rotate and
the gauge needle to move. As the resislance in the
sending unit varies, current through the gauge coils
changes. The gauge needle moves toward the coil
with the strongest magnetic field.
The fuel gauge sending unit's resistance varies
from about 2-5 ohms at full, to about 110 ohms at
empty. When you turn the ignition switch off, the
gauge remains at the last reading until you turn the
ignition switch to ON (ll) or START (lll) again,
Refer to the Service Manual (Section 23, Electrical)
for specific tests or troubleshooting procedures.
Fuel Gauge (GX)
The fuel gauge has two intersecting coils wound
around a permanent magnet rotor. Voltage applied
to the coils, through fuse 25, generates a magnetic
field. The magnetic field, controlled by the PCM,
causes the rotor to rotate and the gauge needle to
move. The PCM calculates the gas quantity in the
fuel tank by using the fuel pressure value detected
by the tuel tank pressure sensor and the fuel
temperature value detected by the fuel tank
temperalure sensor, and outputs the signal to the
gauge assembly. The gauge needle moves toward
the coil with the strongest magnetic field.
When you turn the ignition switch off , the gauge
remains at the last reading until you turn the ignition
switch to ON (ll) or START (lll) again. When the
PCM detects a malfunction with the fuel pressure or
temperature, or detects a gas leak, the PCM
reduces the fuel meter to 0.
Refer to the Service Manual GX Supplement
(Section 11 , Fuel and Emissions) for specific tests
or troubleshooting procedures.
a
a

Front WiperMasher (cont'd)
- How the Circuit Works
When the ignition switch is in ON (ll) or START (lll),
battery voltage is applied to lhe combination wiper
switch. and the windshield wiDer motor.
Low Speed
When you turn the wiper switch to LO, the wiper
motor's low speed winding is grounded through the
BLU wire and the LO speed contacts of the wip€r
switch at G401, and the wipers run at low speed.
ParUOfl
When you turn the wiper switch OFF, the integrated
control unit (PARK input) grounds the wiper motor
through the BLUMHT wire. The cam switch on the
motor signals the integrated control unit that the
wipers are in the PARK position; the control unit
then removes ground from the motor, and the
wipers stop in the PARK position.
High Speed
When the wiper switch is in Hl, the high speed
windings of the windshield wiper motor are
grounded through the BLUIrEL wire and the Hl
contacts of the wiper switch at G401, and the
wipers run at high speed.
Intermittent
When the wiper switch is in lNT, battery voltage is
applied through the YEUBLU wire to the integrated
control unit (lntermittent wiper ON input). The
integrated control unit (lnt€rmittenvPark Wiper
Control) grounds the low speed windings of the
wiper motor and the wipers make a single sweep
every few seconds (See Low Speed above). When
the wiper retums to the PARK position, the park
switch applies battery voltage through the
BLUMHT wire to the integrated control unit (PARK
input), and the wipers stop in the PARK position.
Mist
When you pull the wiper switch down to MIST
position, the high speed windings ot the wiper motor
are grounded through the BLU^/EL wire and the
closed contacts ot the mist switch at G401, and the
wipers make one pass across the windshield at high
speed. The ParUOff function then takes over and
the wipers stop in the PARK position.
Washel
When you pull the wiper switch toward you to turn
on the washer switch, battery vollage is applied to
the washer motor. The motor pumps fluid onto the
windshield until you release the lever; on '98r99
models, the integrated control unit (windshield
washer ON input) s€nses power at the WHT/BLK
wire terminal and runs the wipers whenever the
washer motor runs.
Refer lo the Service Manual (Seclion 23, Electrical)
for specific tests or troubleshooting procedures.
91-2

Headlights (cont'd)
- How the Circuit Works
Low Beams
With the headlight switch in HEAD and the dimmer
switch in LO, current tlows through the headlight
switch. fuse 21 . fuse 22. and the low beam
tilaments to ground, and the low beams come on.
High Beams
With the headlight switch in HEAD and the dimmer
switch in Hl, current flows through the headlight
switch, dimmer switch, fuses 4, 5, and the high
beam filaments to ground, and the high beams
come on.
Current also llows through the high beam indicator
light to ground. The high beam indicator comes on
to remind the driver that the high beams are on.
Flash-to-Pass
The flash feature works with the headlight switch in
OFF, PARK, or HEAD (low beams). When you move
the flash-to-pass switch to ON, current flows
through the switch, fuses 4 and 5, and the high
beam filaments to ground, and the high beams
flash. The high beam indicator also flashes during
the flash operation. The flash function has no effect
if the high beams are already on
Daytime Running Lights (Canada)
When you turn the ignition to ON (ll) with the
parking brake released, the daytime running lights
control unit supplies battery voltage at the
WHT/RED wire. This voltage is applied to the high
beam headlights through the daytime running lights
resistor. Each high beam headlight receives less
than battery voltage causing them to come on at
reduced brightness.
lf the parking brake is set, a ground signal is applied
to the daytime running lights control unit at the
RED/GRN wire. lf the parking brake is set when you
first turn the ignition switch to ON (ll), the high beam
headlights will remain off until you release the
parking brake. Once the high beam headlights are
on, setting the parking brake will not turn them ofi.
When low or high beam operation is requested,
battery voltage from the headlight switch is applied
to the daytime running light control unit via the RED
wire. The daytime running lights control unit then
turns off the headlights.
Refer to the Service Manual (Section 23, Electrical)
for specific tests or lroubleshootrng procedures.
110-14

Power Windows (contd)
- How the Circuit Works
CAUTION: You could iniure your arms, hands, or
fingers if you unintentionally switch the driver's
window to "automatic down" while working in
that door with the power on. Disconnect the
window switch conneclot or the battery when
working in the driver's door.
System Description
The operation of the power windows is controlled by
the main switch in the power window master switch.
When the main switch is in OFF, only the driver's door
window can be opened or closed. With the main
switch ON, all windows can be ooened or closed
either by swtches in the master panel, or swttches in
the doors. The driver's window switch also has an
automatic down mode which is tumed on by pushing
the switch down to its second oosition.
The power windows are driven by reversible motors.
Each motor is protect€d by a built-in circuit breaker.
lf the window switch is held on too long (with the
window obstructed, or after the window is fully up or
down), the circuit breaker opens the circuit. The
circuit breaker resets automaticallv as it cools.
Driver's Window
With the ignition switch in ON, voltage is provided to
the coil of the power window relay through fus€ 24.
The contacts of the power window relay close, and
voltage is applied to the driver's switch. When you
push the power window master switch to UP, voltage
is applied to the driver's window motor. (The motor's
ground path is back through the master power
window switch.) The driver's window motor then
drives the window up. When you push the switch to
DOWN, voltage is applied in the opposite direction
and the motor drives the window down.
Automatic Down (Driver's Window)
With the ignition switch in ON or START, voltage is
applied to the coil of the power window relay. The
contacts of the power window relay close and
voltage is applied lo the power window master
switch. When you push the driveas switch to the
AUTO DOWN position, voltage is applied through
the driver's switch to the driver's window motor. The
control unit receives pulses at the pulser input while
the motor is running. When the window is fully
down, the motor stops, and pulses are no longer
generated by the pulser. This is sensed by the
control unit at the pulser input, and voltage is no
longer applied to the driver's window motor.
Passenger Windows
With the ignition switch in ON, voltage is applied to
the coil of the power window relay through fuse 24.
The contacts of the power window relay then close,
applying voltage to the individual window switches
and the power window master switch. With the
master panel main switch ON, the passenger
windows can be ooerated from the individual
window switches or from tho master panel switches.
When you push the front passengsr's window
switch to UP, voltage is applied to the f ront
passenger's window motor. (The motor is grounded
through the contacts in the front passenger's
window switch and the oower window master
switch.) The window moves up as long as you hold
the switch in the UP position. lf you push the switch
to DOWN, voltage is applied in th€ opposite
direction to the front passenger's window motor, and
the window movss down as long as you hold the
switch in the DOWN Dosition. The window switches
in the other doors operate similarly.
When you push the front passenger's switch in the
master panel to UP, voltage is applied through the
front passenger's window switch contacts to the
front passengefs window motor. (The motor is
grounded through the contacts in the front
passenger's window switch and the power window
master switch.) The window moves up as long as
you hold the switch in the UP position. lf you push
the switch to DOWN, voltage is applied in the
opposite direction to lhe front passenger's window
motor, and the window moves down as long as you
hold the switch in the DOWN position. The other
passenger window switches in the master panel
operate similarly.
Refer to the Service Manual (Section 23, Electrical)
for specific tests or troubleshooting procedures.
120-4

Moonroof (cont'd)
- How the Circuit Works
Moonroof Open
When you push the moonroof switch to the OPEN
position, the moonroof open switch applies ground
to the moonroof "open" relay through the YEL wire.
The moonroof "open" relay applies battery voltage
to the moonroof motor through the GRN/RED wire.
The moonroof "close" relay supplies ground to the
moonroof motor through its normally closed relay
conlacls. When the moonroof moves out of the fully
closed oosition. the tilvclose switch moves to the
OPEN position; the open/close switch moves to the
OPEN oosition.
Moonrool Tilt
When you push the moonroof switch to the TILT
position, the moonroot tilt switch applies ground to
the moonroof "close" relay through the BLU wire,
tilvclose switch and RED wire. The moonroof"close" relay applies battery voltage to the
GRNff EL wire to the moonroof motor. The
moonroof "open" relay supplies ground to the
moonroof motor through its normally closed relay
contacts. When the moonroof is in the tilt oosition,
the trlvclose switch moves to the TILTED position;
the open/close switch moves to the TILTED
Dosition.
Moonroof Close trom the Open Position
When you push the moonroof switch to the CLOSE
position, the moonroof "close" switch applies ground
to the moonroof "close" relay through the YEURED
wire, tilvclose switch and GRN/RED.wire. The
moonroof "close" relay applies battery voltage to the
GRNI/EL wire to the moonroof motor. The
moonroof "open" relay suppfies ground to the
moonroof motor through its normally closed relay
contacts. When the moonroof is fully closed, the
tilvclose switch moves to the closed position; the
open/close switch moves to the CLOSED position.
122-2
Moonroot Close from the Tilt Position
When you push the moonroof switch to the CLOSE
posilion, the moonroof "open" switch applies ground
to the moonroof "close" relay through the YEURED
wire, open/close switch and moonroof "open" relay.
The moonroof "open" relay applies battery voltage to
the moonroof motor through the GRN/RED wire. The
moonroof "close" relay supplies ground to the
moonroof motor through its normally closed relay
contacts. When the moonroof is fully closed, the
tilvclose switch moves to the closed oosition and the
open/close switch moves to the CLOSED position.
Refer to the Service Manual (Section 23, Electrical)
for specific tests or troubleshooting procedures.

Ir
Security Control Unit Input Test
The following tests are performed with the electrical conneclor disconnected from the security control unit.
\;
12345X67I910
1112131415rol171819202122
TerminalNo.WireColorTest ConditionTest: Desired ResultPossible Cause il result is not obtained
2LT GRN/REDEach door opened,one at a timeCheck for conlinuity to ground:
There should be continuity.
Faulty door switch
An open in the wirea
3BLU/BLKTrunUHatch openCheck for continuity to ground:
There should be continuity.
aFaulty trunldhatch latch switch
An open in the wirea
10WHTUnder all conditionsCheck tor voltage to ground:
There should be batteryvoltage.
. Blown No. 6 (3A) fuse in theunder-hood fuse/relay box(HX, LX, EX, DX-V Si)
. Blown No. 54 (40A) fuse in theunder-hood fuse/relay box (CX, DX)
. Blown (3A) fuse in security in-linefuse holder (CX, DX)
. An open in the wire
11YEL(BLK/YEL
cx, DX)lgnition switch ON (ll)Check for voltage to ground:
There should be batteryvoltage.
. Blown No 3 (10A) fuse in theunder-dash tuse/relay box(HX, LX, EX, DX.V, Si)
. Blown (3A) fuse in the security in-linefuse holder (CX, DX)
. An open in the wire
BLKUnder all conditionsCheck for continuity to ground:
There should be continuity.
aPoor ground (G401, G402)
An open in the wirea
t5BLU/RED
lgnition key insertedinto the ignition keyswitch
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be 1 V or less.aPoor ground (G401, G402)
Faulty ignition key switch
An open in the wire
Short in the wire
a
a
algnition key removedfrom the ignition keyswitch
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be 4 V or more.
18GRYUnder all conditionsConnect to ground:
Horn should sound.
. Blown No.52 (15A) luse in theunder-hood luse/relay box
. Faulty horn
. Faulty horn relay
. An open in the wire
133-15

Security System (cont'd)
The following tests are performed with the electrical connector connected to the security control unit.
133-16
TerminalNo.WireColorTest ConditionTest: Desired ResultPossible Cause il result is not obtained
1YEUBLUUnder all conditionsCheck tor voltage to ground:
There should be approximately
5 volts.
aBlown No. 6 (3A) fuse in theunder-dash fuse/relay box
Faulty security control unita
5BLUValet switch pressed
Check tor voltage to ground:
Should change from
approximately 5 volts to less
than 1 volt when valet switch isprsssed.
aFaulty radio ('96-98 models)
or valet switch ('99 models)
An open in the wirea
12ORNUnder all conditionsCheck for voltage to ground:
There should be approximately5 volts.
aBlown No 6 (3A) tuse in tho
under-dash tuse/relay box
Faulty security control unito
14
BLU/WHT(BED
CX, DX)Under all conditions
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be approximately4 volts.
. An open in the wire
. Faulty radio ('96198 models)
or security LED ('99 models)
17RED/WHTSecurity system inPANIC mode
Check for voltage to ground:
Should change from batteryvoltage to less then 1 volt whenin the PANIC mode.
aBlown No. 48 (30A) luse in the
under-hood fuse/relay box
Faulty light flasher relay
Faulty security conlrol unit
An open in the wire
a
a
a
19
REDI/EL(GRN
cx, DX)
Security systemalarm triggered
Check tor voltags to ground:
Should change from batteryvoltage to less then 1 volt whensecurity system alarm istriggsred.
aFaulty security starler cut relay
Faulty security control unit
An open in the wire
I
a
22
BLUA/EL/'oa-'oq
mooelsWHT/BLK)
Under all conditionsCheck tor voltage to ground:
There should be approximately
5 volts.
aBlown No. 6 (3A) fuse in the
under-dash fuse/relay box
Faulty security control unita