Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston can help you identify what causes the lights on your car or truck to flicker.
If you notice your vehicle lights flickering while driving, it’s probably going to be from a dying battery. If the car battery checks out fine, there are other common trouble areas that could be causing the issue. Whether it’s your battery or something else, it’s imperative that you have the problem diagnosed and fixed as quickly as possible. If your car lights aren’t working correctly, you may become a danger to yourself and other drivers.
The three places dimming car lights can happen are:
Since the battery is the most convenient component to replace, this is where most of us will look first. If you suspect the battery is on its way out, bring it to us so we can diagnose the issue and get the right battery for your car. While there are cases caused due to a bad battery, there are other components to consider.
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If the vehicle battery isn’t the reason for your flickering car lights, you might be dealing with a bad light bulb or a bad fuse. Bulbs are an easy fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new LED bulbs.
If it’s a bad fuse, you could be looking at a more significant issue than you had originally thought. In most cases, a fuse fails when there is excess electricity flowing through it. For example, if your anti-lock brakes are installed with a 10amp fuse, and the brake system receives over 10amps of electrical current, the fuse would fail. In this situation, a blown fuse would cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If there is a fuse that consistently fails, bring it in so we can thoroughly diagnose the larger, potentially more dangerous issue.
Flickering lights could also be signs that your alternator is failing. Think of it like this, you use battery power to start your vehicle, but to keep your vehicle running, the power comes from the alternator. If you have an older vehicle with halogen headlights, you may see them get dimmer with a dying alternator. For newer cars equipped with LED or HID lighting, they may flicker on and off or just stop working altogether.
A failing light switch, either the headlight switch knob or an interior lights dimmer, should be considered when you have flickering lights on your car. In some situations, replacing a worn-out switch may solve the flickering light issue, especially in vehicles with excessive wear or older vehicles. If your car is newer, there’s a possibility it could be symptoms of a bigger problem with the vehicle’s electrical system.
Figuring out these issues can seem overwhelming, so if you experience any issues with flickering lights on your vehicle, bring it in immediately. Our knowledgeable technicians will do a thorough diagnosis and provide you with options for fixing your flickering car lights.
Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston is a great place to get vehicle repair in the Houston area. We gladly service all makes and models of vehicles. Visit our dealership online or in person to schedule service and repair for your car, truck, SUV, or van. Our knowledgeable technicians are ready to serve you.
