Cedar Park Nissan can help you identify what the meaning of flickering car lights mean.
If you observe your lights dimming while driving, it’s most likely because of a battery that’s dying. In the rare case when it’s not the battery, there are other common trouble areas that could be responsible for the issue. No matter the cause, you should have the problem diagnosed and repaired ASAP. If your car lights aren’t working properly, you could become a hazard to other drivers.
Flickering car lights can happen in three areas:
Because the battery is the easiest component to diagnose, this is where most of us will look first. If you think the battery is dying, bring it to us so we can diagnose the problem and get the correct battery for your vehicle. While there are cases caused by a bad battery, there are other components to consider.
READ MORE: Nissan Warning Symbol Guide
If the vehicle battery is not the reason for your flickering car lights, it may be a bad light bulb or a bad fuse. Light bulbs are an easy and quick fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new energy-efficient LED bulbs.
If it’s a blown fuse, you might be looking at a bigger problem than you had originally anticipated. A fuse fails when there is too much electrical current runs through it. As an example, if your anti-lock brakes are installed with a 10amp fuse, and the brake system receives more than 10amps of electrical current, the fuse would fail. In this situation, your anti-lock brakes would fail due to the failed fuse. If there is a fuse that continues to fail, bring it in and we’ll diagnose the bigger, potentially more dangerous problem.
Lights flickering on your dash may also be one of the signs that the alternator is failing. Think of it this way, you start your car with battery power, but to keep your car running, the power comes from the alternator. If you own an old car with halogen headlights, you may see them slowly get dimmer with a dying alternator. On newer cars equipped with LED or HID lights, they may flicker on and off or stop functioning altogether.
A dying light switch, either the headlight switch or the interior lights dimmer, also needs to be considered if you have flickering lights on the vehicle. In some situations, just replacing a worn switch may solve the issue, especially in vehicles with excessive wear or older vehicles. If your car doesn’t fall into either category, there’s a possibility it could be a sign of a bigger problem with the electrical system.
Figuring out these issues can feel overwhelming, so if you notice any issues with flickering lights on your car, bring it to us immediately. Our technicians will thoroughly diagnose the problem and provide you with options for fixing the flickering car lights.
Cedar Park Nissan is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Austin 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.
