How to Fix Common Tail Light Problems

A tail light is a safety feature that shows other drivers where your vehicle is located. They also illuminate when you brake so that other drivers know you’re slowing down and can avoid a collision.

While your tail lights and brake lights are important safety components, it’s vital to ensure they work properly before you drive. If your tail lights aren’t working properly, take a look at the fuse, wiring and bulb to determine what’s causing them to fail.

Burned Bulb

A burned bulb in your tail light can be a big problem. Not only does it make your vehicle less visible to drivers, but it can also cause an accident. That is why it’s important to learn how to change the bulb. You can save a lot of money and hassle by doing it yourself.

The first step is to check the fuse, wires and bulb. These are all important components to the function of your tail lights. If one or more of them isn’t working properly, it’s time to take your car to the auto repair shop.

Another good way to determine whether a bulb is burned out is by checking the lights themselves. This is a simple and easy test that can be done by anyone.

Usually, each tail light has multiple bulbs. Each bulb contains two filaments – one for the brake light and one for the turn signal.

When one of these filaments burns out, it elimates the function of both the brake light and the turn signal. This is why it’s important to check the brake and turn signal lights often to ensure that they are both operating correctly.

If you notice that your brake and turn signals are not working, it’s time to replace the bulb. You can find the replacement part at your local auto parts store or online.

Once you have the correct bulb, it’s time to install it. Then, you can start restoring your taillights’ functionality!

Before you begin the installation process, it’s a good idea to inspect each bulb for any cracks or damage. This will help you know if the new bulb is compatible with your car’s system.

After you remove the old bulb, it’s a good idea to wipe it down with some rubbing alcohol. This will prevent it from forming a hot spot that can lead to premature failure.

Then, you can place the new bulb in the holder and push tail light it into the tail light. You can also check the bulb’s condition by looking directly through the lens. This will give you an idea of the quality of the bulb and its ability to work.

Damaged Wiring

The wiring in a tail light can be faulty. This can lead to a variety of problems, from the bulbs not working to the wires being loose or damaged.

A good way to test whether the wiring in a tail light is damaged is by using a circuit tester. This will allow you to test each of the wires coming from each bulb socket and connecting to the fuse box or light switch.

If the tester lights up for both of the tail light sockets, the wiring is fine. However, if it lights up only one or two of the sockets, you will need to inspect the wires further.

While you are doing this, make sure to use caution and wear gloves so as not to cause any electrical shocks. Also, do not get water near the area where the wires are connected.

Next, remove the bulb from the socket and check the bulb’s filament to see if it is broken or not. If it is broken, replace the bulb.

A tail light can become faulty due to moisture entering the socket and causing corrosion or poor connections of wires. This is why it’s a good idea to clean the socket regularly.

You may also need to have the socket checked out by a mechanic if you can’t find any other causes of the problem, such as blown fuses or shorts in the wires. This can be expensive, so it’s better to have a professional take a look before you try any repairs on your own.

Once you’ve determined that the wiring in a tail light is damaged, it’s important to address the problem. This will help you prevent further issues from occurring and save money in the long run.

If the wiring in a tail light is not damaged, then you should be able to change the bulb yourself. However, it’s important to take care of the issue before the bulb burns out, as this can cause a lot of damage.

Cracked Lenses

Tail light lenses are a very common issue for many drivers. They typically crack and not break completely after backing into a wall or another vehicle, having a shopping cart hit the back of your car or any other type of crash.

Fortunately, this is a relatively easy problem to fix. A good mechanic can usually replace the light lens for a fraction of what it would cost to replace it at a dealership.

The lens is designed to light up red, which allows other drivers to see your car in low-visibility conditions. If the lens is cracked, other drivers may have trouble seeing your vehicle and could potentially be involved in a traffic accident.

As a result, it is important to keep your tail lights in good condition. If you see a crack, have the lens repaired immediately or replaced as soon as possible.

This is because it can cause water to enter the lens and short out the electrical system in your car. This is a very serious safety concern.

Some states require tail lights to be replaced as soon as they are cracked, so it is very important to get them fixed as quickly as possible. In addition, it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a broken tail light.

A quick self-examination of your tail lights can be a great way to check for cracked lenses. tail light You can do this by simply starting your car, turning on your headlights and walking to the back of your vehicle to make sure both the tail light lenses are solid.

Taking the time to perform this simple examination on a weekly basis is an easy way to ensure that your tail light lenses are in good shape. A small crack in the lens is a very dangerous thing, and it can lead to a complete break of the light lens or even water entering the lens and shorting out your car’s electrical system.

To repair a cracked lens, you can purchase a DIY kit that comes with resin to seal the crack. You will need to mix the chemicals together according to the instructions provided with the kit. This will then be squirted into the crack using the syringe that is included in the kit. It’s important to follow the instructions carefully, as if you stray beyond the area that needs to be covered, the resin can leak and not work.

Electrical Issues

There are a number of reasons why your tail light may not work. Many of these issues are related to the electrical system in your car, which includes fuses and wiring.

Fuses are designed to protect the electric circuits in your vehicle, and if one has blown, it can cause problems with multiple electrical components. Check the fuse box in your car, which is usually under the hood or in the cabin. If the fuse is blown, it needs to be replaced with a new one that has the same size and amperage as the old one.

Wiring can also break down over time, which is why it is important to take your vehicle in for regular maintenance and repairs. This type of work can involve replacing wires, sockets and fuses.

If you are unsure of where the fuse box is located, check your owner’s manual. It will give you a location for this box and explain how to replace fuses.

Another common reason that your tail lights might not be working is because the bulbs inside them have a damaged filament. This can happen due to exposure to rain and moisture. This can lead to the bulb becoming a burned out bulb, which will not produce light.

You might not be able to see the filament when you are in your car, so it’s best to remove the tail lampshade and inspect it carefully. This might require removing some upholstery and unscrewing the tail lampshade, but it shouldn’t be too difficult.

The next step is to replace the bulb, which is an inexpensive and easy fix that can be done by anyone. The only tricky part is determining which bulb to buy, since some manufacturers use different bulbs for their brake lights and tail lights.

If you are unsure of which bulb to purchase, you can search online or at your local auto parts store for the correct replacement. This can save you money on repairs and keep your vehicle safe and running well. Alternatively, you can have an expert at your local auto repair shop perform the work for you.