Open Today Sales: 9 AM-8 PM
Capital City Honda can help you identify why your car or truck lights flicker.
If you see your lights flickering while driving, it’s most likely going to be from a battery that is failing. If your battery is normal, there are other common trouble spots that are likely causing the issue. Whether it’s the car battery or something else, it’s imperative that you have the problem repaired ASAP. When your car lights aren’t functioning properly, you may become a hazard to yourself and other drivers.
The 3 places flickering lights can occur are:
Because the battery is the easiest item to diagnose, this is where most of us will look first. If the battery is dying, bring it here so we can properly diagnose the problem and get the correct battery for your vehicle. While there are cases caused by a failing battery, there are other components to consider.
READ MORE: Honda Warning Lights
If the battery isn’t the reason for your flickering car lights, it could be a bad bulb or a bad fuse. Dead light bulbs are an easy and quick fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new LED bulbs.
If it’s a bad fuse, you could be dealing with a larger issue since fuses are a safety feature. A fuse dies when there is excess electrical current flowing through it. For example, if the anti-lock brakes are connected to a 10amp fuse, and the fuse receives more than 10amps of electrical current, the fuse will fail. In this situation, a failed fuse would cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If there’s a fuse that consistently fails, bring your vehicle in so we can diagnose the larger, potentially more serious problem.
Flickering lights can also be one of the signs your alternator is dying. Think of it like this, you start your vehicle with battery power, but the alternator provides the power when running. If you drive an old car with halogen lights, you may notice them slowly get dimmer with a failing alternator. For newer cars with LED or HID lights, they may flicker or just stop functioning altogether.
A failing light switch, whether it’s the interior light dimmer or the headlight switch, also needs to be checked out when you have flickering car lights. In some rare situations, replacing a worn-out switch might solve the problem, especially in old vehicles or vehicles with excessive mileage. If your vehicle is new, there’s a chance it could be a sign of a bigger concern with the electrical system.
Diagnosing these problems can seem overwhelming, so if you are experiencing any problems with flickering lights on your vehicle, bring it in immediately. Our trained technicians will do a thorough diagnosis and provide you with options for fixing your flickering lights.
Capital City Honda is a great place to get vehicle repair in the Sacramento area. We gladly service all makes and models of vehicles. Visit our dealership online or in person to schedule service and repair for your car, truck, SUV, or minivan. Our knowledgeable technicians are ready to serve you.
