Common Signs That Indicate
a Problem with Your Headlights
Let’s
face it, most of us overlook the importance of the headlights until
they’re no longer working. At that point, you might’ve already
experienced this problem first hand, and you now know that it’s not
something you should ignore. However, several signs indicate that
something bad is about to happen to your headlights. Look out for
these signs of a failing headlight and you will have enough time to
solve the problem before you’re left in the dark.
Flickering
Headlights
Just
like a candle in the wind, the headlights of your car may flicker on
and off, randomly. This is one of the first signs that tell headlight
bulbs are through. If you use the headlights excessively during a
long period, this action will wear down the filament of the bulb. In
most cases, your headlights will stop working shortly, once you start
noticing the flickering.
Another
common reason that causes headlights to flicker on and off is due to
faulty battery connection or bad harness. For instance, if you bought
your vehicle just 3 years ago, it’s highly unlikely that you will
be replacing your headlights. That’s why you should look for a
loose connection at the battery terminals. If this doesn’t work,
it’s best to leave it to the professionals. There’s also a chance
that your warranty may cover repairs of headlights, so act quickly
and get it done.
Dim
Headlights
You
notice your once-bright headlights are turning dimmer. Maybe, they
are working properly, but with rare and varying illumination, they’ll
inevitably fail, at a certain point.
Over
time, headlamp bulbs lose their brightness and seem dimmer. This is a
crystal-clear sign that you have to replace the bulb sooner, rather
than later.
A
corroded ground wire can also be a cause for dim headlights. To be
sure that this is the actual problem, follow the ground wire from the
headlight assembly’s back and wiring harness to its origin. If you
notice a sign of corrosion, bring your vehicle to your local auto
repair center for a headlight replacement service.
Headlight
Bulbs Constantly Burn Down
If
you notice this problem, it can be a sign of a bigger, more
complicated electrical problem. Fuses blow out because of faulty
headlight bulbs or bulbs that have the wrong wattage. You have to
inspect the lighting switch, headlight assembly, fuses and any
visible wires in the harness.
High
beams can also be the guilty party, so if you have recently replaced
the high beams’ bulbs, check the vehicle’s manual for the
recommended wattage. If everything checks out, maybe there was
something wrong with the installation of the bulb. Either way, seek
assistance from a professional auto technician.
High
Beams Are Working, Low Beams Not
You
can check that by changing the high beam bulb with a low beam bulb.
After you’ve made the change, if the low beam bulb is working, the
problem lies with the bulb.
If
this change does not work, you probably have a blown fuse. Inspect
the electrical area for burnt fuses, loose connections, or melted
wires. You can also check the headlight wiring with a voltage
multimeter.
Fluke multimeters are a dependable, trusted and professional tool for testing electrical circuits.
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