2006 Honda Civic Headlight Switch Buzzing & Headlight bulbs blowing regularly

[Martin Bowen]

Hi there, first time posting on here and after much Googling this is my last resort for some help on this topic.

My friend has a 2006 Honda Civic that is known to have a common problem with headlight bulbs blowing quite regularly. He's noticed recently that the headlight switch (located on the end of the indicator stalk - rotate to turn sidelights, headlights on/off etc) buzzes/makes a horrible fizzing sound when turned on or off. He thinks this is almost directly linked to the bulbs blowing every few months but I'm unsure. I will upload a photo of the indicator stalk (from Google) if it helps in any way at all in identifying the cause of the issue.

Could it be a grounding problem? I know cars are known for not having the best electrical systems from factory.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pat H]

Headlights take a lot of power. even 55W bulbs x 2 is 110w at 12V is nearly 10 amps. That's a lot to put through a rotary stalk switch.
I'd have expected a relay. However this diagram:
Upozorenje o prebacivanju - https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiAju63l4rZAhXJIcAKHReCAmsQjRx6BAgAEAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pugaddicts.co.uk%2F2016%2F02%2Fsolved-2005-honda-civic-both-headlights.html&psig=AOvVaw2R3J9DRgiQIsGbHUuekKfV&ust=1517762333711206

Shows there is a relay but it only switches the 12V+ to the headlamps. The operation is via grounding done in the switch.
So yes if the switch is breaking down and fizzing there will be a volt drop and the varying current to the lamp may accelerate the failure.
I suspect a new stalk switch is needed (avoid a used one as it may be as bad)

 

[dmxtothemax]

The fizzing sound is almost certainly arcing, this is bad news, a fire waiting to happen, replace the switch with a new one.