Open Today Sales: 9 AM-7 PMOpen Today Service: 7 AM-6 PM
Kearny Mesa Volkswagen can help you identify what causes your car or truck lights to flicker.
If you observe your lights dimming while driving, it’s likely because of a dying battery. In the rare case when it’s not the battery, there are other common trouble areas that are likely causing the issue. Whether it’s your car battery or something else, it’s imperative that you have the problem repaired ASAP. When your car lights aren’t functioning properly, you might become a hazard to other drivers.
Flickering lights generally happen in 3 places:
Because the battery is the most convenient component to diagnose, this is where a mechanic will look first. If the battery is on its way out, bring it here so we can diagnose the issue 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.
If your vehicle battery is not the reason for your flickering car lights, it may be a bad light bulb or a bad fuse. Failing light bulbs are an easy fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new LED bulbs.
If your car has a bad fuse, you may be dealing with a bigger problem than you had originally thought. A fuse dies when there is too much electrical current runs through it. For example, if the anti-lock brakes are installed with a 10amp fuse, and the brake system gets more than 10amps of electrical current, the fuse will fail. In this example, this would also cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If there is a fuse that regularly fails, bring it in and we will accurately diagnose the bigger, potentially more serious problem.
Flickering dash lights could also be signs that your alternator is dying. Think of it like this, you have battery power to start your vehicle, but the alternator supplies the power that keeps your vehicle running. If you own an old car with halogen lights, you may notice them slowly get dimmer with a failing alternator. On newer cars with HID or LED lights, they may flicker or stop working altogether.
A dying light switch, either the interior dimmer or the headlight switch, should also be considered when you have flickering lights on your car. In some uncommon situations, just replacing a worn-out switch may solve the flickering light problem, especially in older cars or vehicles with excessive mileage. If your car is newer, there’s a chance it could be a sign of a bigger issue with the car’s electrical system.
Understanding these problems can seem overwhelming, so if you’re experiencing any problems with the lights flickering on your car, bring it to us immediately. Our trained technicians will thoroughly investigate the problem and provide you with options for fixing the flickering lights.
Kearny Mesa Volkswagen is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the San Diego 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 or SUV service online or in person today.
