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2017 Pilot Headlights Flickering and Going Out Intermittently

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Rachel A. · rep 0 · May 22, 2:45 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2017 Honda Pilot EX-L

Hello forum,

I'm having a scary problem with the headlights on my 2017 Honda Pilot EX-L. Both headlights (low beams) have started flickering randomly while I'm driving, especially over bumps or rough roads. Sometimes, they'll even go out completely for a few seconds before coming back on. It's terrifying when this happens at night!

I've checked the bulbs, and they seem fine – no visible damage or blackening. I also wiggled some wires around the headlight assembly, but it didn't seem to make a difference. Could this be a loose connection, a faulty relay, or something more serious like a wiring harness issue? It affects both sides, which makes me think it's not just a single bulb or ballast.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this and how to troubleshoot it safely? I really need to get this fixed ASAP for safety reasons.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 2:45 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Headlight issues, especially intermittent flickering and going out, are indeed a serious safety concern. Since both headlights are affected, it points to a common point of failure rather than individual bulb or ballast issues. Here's what to investigate:

  1. Battery and Charging System: While less likely to cause flickering, a weak battery or failing alternator can lead to voltage fluctuations. Ensure your battery is healthy and the alternator is charging correctly (around 13.5-14.5V when running).
  2. Ground Connections: Poor ground connections are a very common cause of intermittent electrical problems. Check the main ground straps from the battery to the chassis and engine, as well as any ground points near the headlight assemblies. Ensure they are clean, tight, and free of corrosion.
  3. Headlight Relays: Your Pilot's headlights are controlled by relays in the under-hood fuse box. A failing relay can cause intermittent power delivery. You can try swapping the headlight relay with another identical, non-critical relay (like the horn relay) to see if the problem shifts or resolves. If your Pilot uses HID or LED headlights, there might be specific control modules or ballasts, but since both are affected, a common relay is more likely.
  4. Fuse Box Connections: Sometimes, the connections within the fuse box itself can become loose or corroded. Gently check if the headlight fuses are seated firmly.
  5. Wiring Harness Inspection: Given the issue occurs over bumps, carefully inspect the main wiring harness leading to the headlights, especially where it passes through the engine bay or near any moving parts. Look for frayed wires, pinched sections, or damaged insulation. A short or intermittent open circuit could be the culprit.

OBD Codes: Headlight flickering typically does not trigger standard OBD-II powertrain codes. However, if the issue is severe enough to cause significant voltage drops, it could potentially trigger a P0562 (System Voltage Low) code, but this is less common for just lighting issues.

When to See a Shop: Because this is a critical safety issue, if you're not comfortable diagnosing electrical systems or can't quickly pinpoint the problem, take your Pilot to a trusted mechanic or Honda dealership immediately. They have specialized electrical diagnostic tools to trace wiring, test relays, and identify intermittent faults safely and effectively. Driving with unreliable headlights is extremely dangerous.

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