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Sterling McCall Toyota can help you identify what flickering vehicle lights mean.
If you see your lights flickering while driving, it’s most likely going to be from a dying battery. If the car battery is normal, there are other trouble spots that are likely responsible for the issue. No matter the cause, you should get the problem repaired ASAP. When your lights aren’t working properly, you might become a danger to yourself and other drivers.
Flickering lights can occur in three areas:
Since the battery is the easiest 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 diagnose the issue and get the right OEM battery for your car. While there are cases caused by a failing battery, there are other culprits to consider.
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If the battery isn’t the cause of your flickering car lights, it might be a dying bulb. Bulbs are an easy fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new energy-efficient LED bulbs.
If your car has a blown fuse, you could be looking at a larger issue as fuses are a safety feature. A fuse fails when there is excess electrical current flowing through it. For example, if the anti-lock brakes are connected to a 10amp fuse, and the brake system gets over 10amps of electrical current, the fuse would fail. In this situation, a blown fuse would cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If you have a fuse that continues to fail, bring it in so we can diagnose the larger, potentially more dangerous problem.
Lights flickering on your dashboard could also be one of the signs that the alternator is going bad. Consider this, you start your vehicle with power from the battery, but to keep your vehicle running, the power is supplied by your alternator. If you drive an older car with halogen headlights, you may notice them get dimmer with a failing alternator. For newer cars with HID or LED lights, they may flicker or just stop working altogether.
A dying light switch, either the headlight switch knob or the interior light dimmer, should also be considered if you have flickering car lights. In some uncommon situations, replacing a worn switch may solve the problem, especially in vehicles with excessive mileage or older vehicles. If your vehicle is newer, there’s a chance it could be a sign of a bigger concern with the vehicle’s electrical system.
Understanding these concerns can be overwhelming, so if you’re experiencing any issues with flickering lights on your car, bring it in immediately. Our trained technicians will diagnose the issue and provide you with options for fixing the flickering lights.
Sterling McCall Toyota is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Houston 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.
