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What To Do When A Light Goes Out In Your Car
by Vicky Mills
Most car lighting problems are a simple matter that you can troubleshoot and fix yourself. On a rare occasion, it will require a visit to an automotive repair shop. Here are the steps to take care of that lighting issue and get your car back on the road.
Look for a Simple Cause and Repair First
Most lighting problems in your car will be due to one of two issues:
a burned out light bulb
a burned out fuse
Good rules to start with when troubleshooting a problem are:
If one light in a pair of lights (e.g., headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, backup lights, parking lights) goes out, it is likely a burned out light bulb.
If both lights in a pair of lights are out, it is likely a burned out fuse.
When a single light is out (e.g., dome light, license plate light, glove box light, trunk light), try the fuse first.
Changing a Fuse
All of your car's lights are connected to separate fuses. It's a simple task to replace a fuse and get yourself back on the road:
Find the owner's manual for the car and look for the section listing what fuses are associated with which lights.
Locate the fuse panel, which is often in the glove box or on the side of the dashboard on the driver's side.
Remove the cover of the fuse box.
Locate the fuse for the light that is out, which is identified by a number in the owner's manual.
Pull the fuse straight out of the fuse box and replace it with the spare fuse included in the box. Fuses are often color-coded, so look for the same color of fuse for the replacement.
Replace the color of the fuse box and try the light.
Stop at an auto parts store and replace the spare fuse that you used.
It would be a rare event to have both lights of a pair of lights be burned out at the same time, but it is possible. Should changing the fuse not correct the problem, proceed to change at least one of the pair of lights to see if, indeed, they are both burned out.
Changing a Light Bulb
Most of the light bulbs that are paired in your car have similar connections and are easily replaced. The first step is to visit an auto parts store and get a replacement bulb.
To change a bulb in a light pair:
Find the lighting assembly holding the bulb. Some assemblies hold a cluster of lights such as the headlight, turn signal and parking light assembly.
From the back of the assembly, grab the connector for the light to be replaced and turn counterclockwise while pushing in slightly.
Remove the connector with the bulb attached from the light assembly.
To remove the bulb from the assembly:
If the base of the bulb is flat, pull the bulb straight out of the connector.
If the base of the bulb is round, turn the bulb counterclockwise while pushing it in slightly.
To insert a new bulb:
Push it straight into the connector if it has a flat base.
Push it into the connector while turning the bulb clockwise if it has a round base.
Push the connector and bulb back into the light assembly and turn it clockwise until you feel it click into place.
Problems That Require Some Help
If you have any of the following problems, you'll need to visit an auto repair shop and have them take care of it for you:
The bulb or connector is corroded and can't be removed to be replaced.
The bulb is broken in the connector and can't be safely removed.
The wires going to the connector are broken or frayed.