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Folsom Lake Toyota can help you identify what makes car or truck lights flicker.
If you notice your lights dimming while driving, it’s probably going to be from a battery that’s dying. In the case when it’s not the battery, there are other trouble spots that are likely responsible for the issue. Whether it’s the car battery or something else, it’s imperative that you have the problem repaired ASAP. When your lights aren’t working correctly, you could become a hazard to yourself and other drivers.
The three places flickering lights generally occur are:
Because the battery is the most convenient item to diagnose, this is where most of us will look first. If the battery is on its way out, bring it to us so we can properly diagnose the problem and get the correct OEM battery for your vehicle. While there are cases caused due to a bad battery, there are other factors to consider.
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If the vehicle battery isn’t the reason for your flickering car lights, you might be looking at a dying light bulb. Dead bulbs are an easy fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new LED bulbs.
If it is a bad fuse, you might be looking at a more significant issue as fuses are a safety feature. A fuse fails when there is too much electricity runs through it. For example, if the anti-lock brakes are installed with a 10amp fuse, and the fuse receives more than 10amps of electrical current, the fuse will fail. In this situation, your anti-lock brakes would fail due to the blown fuse. If there is a fuse that consistently fails, bring it in so we can diagnose the larger, potentially more serious issue.
Flickering dash lights could also be one of the signs that the alternator is failing. Think of it like this, you have battery power to start your vehicle, but the alternator provides the power when the vehicle is running. If you drive an older vehicle with halogen lights, you may see them slowly get dimmer with a failing alternator. For newer cars equipped with HID or LED lighting, they may flicker on and off or stop working altogether.
A bad light switch, whether it’s the interior dimmer or the headlight switch, also needs to be considered when you have flickering lights on the car. In some uncommon situations, replacing a worn-out switch could solve the flickering light problem, especially in old cars or vehicles with excessive wear. If your car doesn’t fall into either category, it could be symptoms of a more significant issue with the vehicle’s electrical system.
Figuring out these problems can feel overwhelming, so if you’re experiencing any issues with flickering lights on your car, bring it to us immediately. Our technicians will thoroughly diagnose the issue and provide you with options for fixing the flickering car lights.
Folsom Lake Toyota is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Sacramento 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 minivan service online or in person today.
