This is a pretty stright foward task. This was my semi diy for cruise control conversion on a dx but i just gloified it lol. Its simply remove and replace but its a great deal of work. To many it will not be worth it but to others it might. So keep that in mind. I did it on my 96 dx coupe and it all worked perfectly. Do your own double checking. Not responsible for anything here. I couldn't really find solid info like this anywhere on the net so here it is. Anyway, I got my parts from a wrecked ex's.
First of all 96-97 civics are essentially the same as far as wiring goes (depending on model of course.). Now, 98 civics are kind of on their own. They have a lot of 96-97 DNA in them and a little bit of 99-00 DNA. 99-00 civic models are different but are similar at the same time haha confused yet? Basically don't get anything 99-00 unless you verify part numbers from your specific year model with the 99-00 model.
Before any work. Be sure to properly disarm the srs.
Ask for any questions on how to remove anything. I will do my best to answer.
I used a service manual and hondapartsnow.com (diagrams) for my research. Spent hours looking and reading. With that said you need the following:
With all these harnesses don't just yank them out. You have to reuse the retainer clips. Always inspect harnesses for rips cuts or corrosion.
Unless you want abs (I didn't look into it) don't get anything from a civic with abs. You will have orange connectors everywhere. Which I think would be tacky.
1. Headlight harness. This one runs from shock tower to opposing shock tower. Connects headlights, parking lights, washer fluid pump, horn, and most importantly the 4 pin cruise actuator, ect.. Now, 96-97 civic models use a 2 pin horn connector. 98-00 use a single pin connector with a different horn relay (under the dash) as opposed to 96-98 civics with cruise. But don't get it from 98-00 civics they are a different animal in this area. Just get it out of your specific year model if possible.
2. Dash harness. This one goes behind dash attached to the inside firewall. It goes out to under hood fuse/relay box on pass. side and to wiper motor and other connectors on driver side. (once again keep in mind that the horn relay and connector are different.). Get the correct year model for yours. I don't know if you can just cut/splice a different horn relay connector and use a different relay and connector. You will have to find out. But with a wiring diagram you can finger it out. I didn't have to go to that extent as I found a 97 ex with everything. Do not get this from 99-00 there is major changes such as climate control and a random 02 sensor wiring. (unless you want to do the 99-00 climate control conversion. There is a write up on that I believe. But if you choose this route the following info will be helpful. Just get the years right.)
3. Instrument cluster harness. When (and if..lol) you take out your dash this harness will be attached to the dash's metel frame. Get it from an ex or lx with cruise. This is where your main cruise switch is connected and that green light we desire on the instrument cluster when we are in cruise. Also connects to your radio. So if you get stock radio from ex you can possibly have a oem Honda keyless entry.
4. Floor harness. If you have a 96-98 model. You can get any 96-98 floor harness but if you have a coupe get one from a coupe. If you have a 4 door get it from a 4 door. Same goes with 99-00 civics. Only get it from 99-00 civics.
5. Trunk harness. Same deal as the floor harness. Get your civics year models. With this harness don't forget you trunk light assembly
. It was nice to have light in the trunk at night!
6. Cruise actuator, cruise cable, vacuum bottle with bracket which also holds connectors, throttle cable and cruise cable stay bracket. Also vent/vacuum lines going to actuator the vacuum line should have little white check valve. Should all be the same through out the generation.
7. Ex/lx with cruise gas pedel assembly. Now if all you find is auto and you have manual transmission. You can disassemble the gas pedel and put it on yours. It's interchangeable. Vise versa on the manual to auto.
The following parts are the same only between your specific year model. 96-98 , 99-00
8. Cruise main switch (left side of steering wheel on dash).
9. Steering wheel cruise control switch with the little mounting plate with screws.
10. Steering wheel rear cover from ex.
11. Srs clock spring or cable reel from ex or lx with cruise.
12. Clutch switch theres two just keep both on the pedel bracket assembly
13. Brake switch (dx has 2 pin and ex and lx with cruise have 4 pin).
14. Instrument cluster from ex. That way you can have tach to go with your cruise control light. A/T or M/T what ever you have.
15. The door harness from ex or lx with cruise. They have the necessary lock, window, speaker and power mirror connectors.
16. Power mirrors. Get them from Honda period. I had tried aftermarket and they sucked bad! So I bought oem painted ones.
17. Window regulators. Must be power ones of course.
18. Door latches. Make sure you look at the plastic where it contacts the door latch if you get them used. They could be worn. Or just get the new.
19. Last but not least the control module for the cruise control. I almost forgot. A/T or M/T which ever you have. Don't forget the mounting bracket too.
Now you almost have an ex just minus the moon roof and switches and map lights.
First of all 96-97 civics are essentially the same as far as wiring goes (depending on model of course.). Now, 98 civics are kind of on their own. They have a lot of 96-97 DNA in them and a little bit of 99-00 DNA. 99-00 civic models are different but are similar at the same time haha confused yet? Basically don't get anything 99-00 unless you verify part numbers from your specific year model with the 99-00 model.
Before any work. Be sure to properly disarm the srs.
Ask for any questions on how to remove anything. I will do my best to answer.
I used a service manual and hondapartsnow.com (diagrams) for my research. Spent hours looking and reading. With that said you need the following:
With all these harnesses don't just yank them out. You have to reuse the retainer clips. Always inspect harnesses for rips cuts or corrosion.
Unless you want abs (I didn't look into it) don't get anything from a civic with abs. You will have orange connectors everywhere. Which I think would be tacky.
1. Headlight harness. This one runs from shock tower to opposing shock tower. Connects headlights, parking lights, washer fluid pump, horn, and most importantly the 4 pin cruise actuator, ect.. Now, 96-97 civic models use a 2 pin horn connector. 98-00 use a single pin connector with a different horn relay (under the dash) as opposed to 96-98 civics with cruise. But don't get it from 98-00 civics they are a different animal in this area. Just get it out of your specific year model if possible.
2. Dash harness. This one goes behind dash attached to the inside firewall. It goes out to under hood fuse/relay box on pass. side and to wiper motor and other connectors on driver side. (once again keep in mind that the horn relay and connector are different.). Get the correct year model for yours. I don't know if you can just cut/splice a different horn relay connector and use a different relay and connector. You will have to find out. But with a wiring diagram you can finger it out. I didn't have to go to that extent as I found a 97 ex with everything. Do not get this from 99-00 there is major changes such as climate control and a random 02 sensor wiring. (unless you want to do the 99-00 climate control conversion. There is a write up on that I believe. But if you choose this route the following info will be helpful. Just get the years right.)
3. Instrument cluster harness. When (and if..lol) you take out your dash this harness will be attached to the dash's metel frame. Get it from an ex or lx with cruise. This is where your main cruise switch is connected and that green light we desire on the instrument cluster when we are in cruise. Also connects to your radio. So if you get stock radio from ex you can possibly have a oem Honda keyless entry.
4. Floor harness. If you have a 96-98 model. You can get any 96-98 floor harness but if you have a coupe get one from a coupe. If you have a 4 door get it from a 4 door. Same goes with 99-00 civics. Only get it from 99-00 civics.
5. Trunk harness. Same deal as the floor harness. Get your civics year models. With this harness don't forget you trunk light assembly
. It was nice to have light in the trunk at night! 6. Cruise actuator, cruise cable, vacuum bottle with bracket which also holds connectors, throttle cable and cruise cable stay bracket. Also vent/vacuum lines going to actuator the vacuum line should have little white check valve. Should all be the same through out the generation.
7. Ex/lx with cruise gas pedel assembly. Now if all you find is auto and you have manual transmission. You can disassemble the gas pedel and put it on yours. It's interchangeable. Vise versa on the manual to auto.
The following parts are the same only between your specific year model. 96-98 , 99-00
8. Cruise main switch (left side of steering wheel on dash).
9. Steering wheel cruise control switch with the little mounting plate with screws.
10. Steering wheel rear cover from ex.
11. Srs clock spring or cable reel from ex or lx with cruise.
12. Clutch switch theres two just keep both on the pedel bracket assembly
13. Brake switch (dx has 2 pin and ex and lx with cruise have 4 pin).
14. Instrument cluster from ex. That way you can have tach to go with your cruise control light. A/T or M/T what ever you have.
15. The door harness from ex or lx with cruise. They have the necessary lock, window, speaker and power mirror connectors.
16. Power mirrors. Get them from Honda period. I had tried aftermarket and they sucked bad! So I bought oem painted ones.
17. Window regulators. Must be power ones of course.
18. Door latches. Make sure you look at the plastic where it contacts the door latch if you get them used. They could be worn. Or just get the new.
19. Last but not least the control module for the cruise control. I almost forgot. A/T or M/T which ever you have. Don't forget the mounting bracket too.
Now you almost have an ex just minus the moon roof and switches and map lights.