Why do 94 Honda Accord headlights go off briefly when using a turn indicator which may briefly blink fast rapidly although unsure if the headlights go out just when turn signals were used on main beam?

Answer 1

After investigating, problem solved, and I'd like the various terms I placed above search able for everyone!

The Answer.

*** Consider the Yellow Airbag wires and make sure you avoid them to avoid death/injury ***

Unfasten the upper and lower covers off (5 or 6 screws) the steering shaft. Take the top one off, but you don't necessarily need to take the bottom one completely off, but you can. You don't need to remove other dash items for this, just adjust the tilt steering to help with removal.

Remove the wiring harness from the back. Use some grippers if this is hard to press/pull out.

Remove the 2 screws from the front (turn steering wheel so largest hole in it gives screwdriver access to them).

The Honda manual doesn't say how to get the switch out! I simply pulled it fairly hard towards me. It looked like they may have installed it with light glue originally, but it snapped right out. (this was after trying all sorts of prying at what looked to be clips - forget it, just pull towards the door opening, those 2 screws will hold it in when you reinstall.)

Open the back of the unit (the bit with the connector harness connections). Take the 2 screws out then slide 2 thin screwdrivers towards the retainer clips and it should pop out. Try to open it slowly so you can make note of the several pieces and how they fit in, but this should be fairly obvious.

What I found was one of the plate slider connections was badly made and there was roughness on the sliding portion that wore a deep groove in the plate. I smoothed out the score with a rotary abrasive bit, and took any roughness off the sliding contact. There was some darker oil in places, so cleaned it out. I also noticed some grease that had hardened with age, so it may also have been stopping the sliders making contact with the plates, so removed all I saw. I put some of the excess good grease on the plates in the area where the sliders had been moving, so they were all re-lubed.

You can also pry the white main beam switch assembly off this which enables you to inspect the spring plate connections fully. Note the rocker plate curves around the black plastic switch (not around the copper terminals - it actually sits like a cup on these) if it happens to spring off before you get a look at it.

Don't take the other side of the unit off, as this is just the lever mechanisms. All the electrical contacts are in the side we disassembled above.

Re-assemble the reverse of the above.

I'm fairly sure the worn/scored plate was the problem. That'll save you a Genuine Honda Headlight/turn signal combination switch.

And I suppose that still leaves a question, how much did this save you? Hope it helps someone. Hope someone helps us. Take care.