Changed battery and now headlights stay on but no power in cabin

20

Asked by Richard Dec 12, 2021 at 12:47 PM about the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe EX-T with Honda Sensing

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hello, my civics battery was going out.  Kept dying.  I
got a new battery - it is the correct type - and
replaced it.   There was a spark as I put the negative
cable on (did it last) but it wasn’t too bad, more like
when you touch the cables together.  After that, the
headlights immediately turn on even though the
selector is turned to off.  Also, there is no power
inside the cabin. No power at all inside the car and I
can’t turn off the lights.  I checked most of the fuses
(can’t get to some of them because they are screwed
in), went back to pep boys and verified that the old
battery was dead and the new one is good.   My next
step is to tow it to the dealership for repairs but I
wanted to see if there is anything easy it could be.

2 Answers

157,515

On many newer vehicles the computers must be powered up at all times, even during a battery replacement. A memory saver device should have been used to prevent the computers from being without power during the battery replacement. Most likely you need to be towed to your local Honda Dealer for them to flash (reprogram) the computers using your VIN. On a side note, don't let Pep Boys try to do this! Or anyone else, for that matter, but the Dealer!! Hope that helps! Jim

310,085

Yep time for a reflash. Saver too is a must have in your tool box. They plug into the OBD 2 port. The one I use is powered by a motor cycle battery and will last for over 2 weeks if the repairs take a long time.

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