In this article, I am going to explain what the “DRL” light mean on your Honda Pilot, the leading causes, and how to fix the problem easily.
Without wasting any more time, let’s get into it!.
What are Honda Pilot DRL Lights?
In short, DRL stands for Daytime Running Lights,
As the name suggests, the Daytime running lights (DRL) on your Honda Pilot are a type of lights that are designed to be used during the daytime when you are driving on the road.
The purpose of DRL is to make your vehicle more visible in low-light conditions such as fog or rain.
What Does the DRL Light Mean on a Honda Pilot?
Now that I have shortly explained what these are,
Let’s look at what it means when the “DRL” light comes on your Pilot’s instrument cluster.
In simple words, when the DRL light comes on your Honda Pilot’s dashboard, it means that the PCM has detected an issue with the Daytime Running Lights.
This could be due to the fact that your Pilot’s DRL lights are not working properly or stopped working completely.
What Causes Honda Pilot’s DRL Light to Come On?
Now, let’s look at the most common causes of the DRL light coming on.
From my experience as a mechanic. here are some of the most likely reasons for this issue:
1. One or Both Daytime Running Light Bulb is Bad:
The most leading cause of the DRL light on a Pilot is a bad DRL bulb(s).
It is possible that either one or both bulbs are burnt out. Generally, these bulbs have a lifespan of 700-1500 hours, depending on your driving frequency during the day and the model and year of your Pilot.
Over time, the bulb will start to dim and eventually burn out.
When this happens, the DRL light may come on as a warning sign that one or both of these bulbs are bad and need replacing.
2. Faulty DRL Relay (Module):
The second most likely cause of a DRL light on a Pilot is an issue with the DRL relay (module).
The DRL relay is responsible for controlling the activation of your Pilot’s DRL light.
If this relay is faulty or has been damaged, it will cause the DRL bulbs to not turn on when they should.
This will then cause the DRL light to come on as a warning sign that there is an issue with one or both of these bulbs.
3. Blown Fuse:
The last and least common cause of the DRL light on your Pilot is a blown fuse.
At times, your electrical system may experience a short or overload that can cause the fuse to blow. This issue can be caused by various factors such as bad wiring, worn-out components, and corrosion.
When the fuse blows, your DRL lights will cease to function upon turning on the ignition.
If I can remember correctly, the DRL fuse on a Honda Pilot is Fuse 1 = 7.5A, and is located at the second position on the top row of fuses(from left to right).
How to Fix and Reset the DRL Light on a Pilot
Finally, let us look at how to go about fixing the DRL light on your vehicle.
Replace the Bad Bulb(s)
The first thing I recommend that you do is to check the bulbs themselves.
If one or both of them are burned out, then you need to replace them. This is an easy process and requires no special tools or equipment.
All required is a Phillips screwdriver and replacement bulbs from your local auto parts store.
You can get the right bulbs at your nearest Honda dealership, online auto stores, or any local auto parts store.
The DRL bulbs roughly cost $10-20 per bulb, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money on this. Simply unscrew the old bulbs and replace them with new ones.
This should solve the problem in most cases. If not, move to solution two.
Replace the Faulty DRL Relay/Module
If changing the bulbs did not fix the problem, then it is likely that you have a faulty relay/module.
In order to fix the issue, you will need to replace the bad one.
To determine which module requires replacement, observe which one has a functioning DRL light and replace the opposite side that is not functioning.
It’s unlikely for both DRL relays to fail at the same time.
Check the Fuses
If replacing the relay did not fix the problem, then it may be a fuse issue.
If you have a fuse tester, you can test the fuse to see if it’s blown. If not, locate Fuse 1 = 7.5A in the fuse box and replace it.
After following these steps, your Pilot should now have working DRL lights and the “DRL” alert will go away automatically.
Additional Sources
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-the-drl-warning-light-mean-by-spencer-cates
https://www.cars.com/articles/how-long-should-a-cars-light-bulbs-last-1420663054800/