Maxwell Ford can help you identify what it means when car lights are flickering.
If you observe your lights dimming while driving, it’s likely because of a dying battery. If the battery checks out fine, there are other common trouble spots that are likely responsible for the issue. Whether it’s your battery or something else, you should have the problem fixed as quickly as possible. If your lights aren’t working correctly, you may become a hazard to other drivers.
Flickering car lights generally happen in 3 areas:
Because the battery is the most convenient item to diagnose, this is where a mechanic will look first. If the battery is dying, bring it to us so we can diagnose the issue and get the right parts for your vehicle. While there are cases that result from a dying battery, there are other components to consider.
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If the battery is not the reason for your flickering car lights, you might be dealing with a dying light bulb or a bad fuse. Light bulbs are an easy and quick fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new energy-efficient LED bulbs.
If it is a blown fuse, you could be dealing with a larger issue than you had originally anticipated. A fuse fails when there is too much electrical current runs through it. For example, if your anti-lock brakes are installed with a 10amp fuse, and the brake system receives more than 10amps of electrical current, the fuse will fail. In this situation, a blown fuse could cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If there is a fuse that continues to fail, bring your vehicle in so we can diagnose the larger, potentially more dangerous problem.
Flickering lights can also be signs that the alternator is dying. Think of it this way, you start your car with power from the battery, but to keep your vehicle running, the power comes from the alternator. If you own an old car with halogen lights, you may see them gradually get dimmer with a dying alternator. On new cars equipped with HID or LED lights, they may flicker or stop working altogether.
A dying light switch, whether it’s the interior dimmer or the headlight switch knob, should be considered if you have flickering lights on your vehicle. In some situations, just replacing a worn-out switch may solve the flickering light issue, especially in vehicles with excessive mileage or older cars. If your vehicle is new, it could be symptoms of a bigger issue with the electrical system.
Figuring out these problems can be overwhelming, so if you’re experiencing any problems with flickering lights on your vehicle, bring it to us immediately. Our technicians will do a thorough diagnosis and offer you options for fixing the flickering car lights.
Maxwell Ford is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Austin area. We happily service all vehicle makes and models. One of our factory-trained technicians will inspect your car or truck to determine if there are any needed repairs and will suggest the best resolution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your car, truck, SUV, or van service online or in person today.
