BMW of Houston Midtown can help you identify why your car or truck lights are flickering.
If you observe your lights dimming while driving, it’s probably going to be from a dying battery. In the rare case when it’s not the battery, there are other common trouble spots that could be responsible for the issue. No matter the cause, it’s imperative that you have the problem diagnosed and repaired ASAP. If your lights aren’t functioning correctly, you could become a hazard to other drivers.
The 3 places dimming lights mostly occur are:
Since the battery is the easiest item to replace, this is where most of us will look first. If you think the battery is dying, bring it to us so we can properly diagnose the issue and get the specific parts for your vehicle. While there are cases caused by a failing battery, there are other factors to consider.
If your car battery is not the reason for your flickering car lights, it may be a dying 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 is a bad fuse, you may be looking at a bigger problem as fuses are a safety feature on your vehicle. A fuse dies when there is too much electrical current runs through it. As an example, if the anti-lock brakes are connected to a 10amp fuse, and the brake system gets more than 10amps of electricity, the fuse would fail. In this example, this could also cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If there’s a fuse that consistently fails, bring it in and we’ll accurately diagnose the larger, potentially more dangerous issue.
Lights flickering on the dashboard could also be one of the signs your alternator is dying. Consider this, you start your vehicle with battery power, but to keep your car running, the power is supplied by your alternator. If you drive an older car with halogen lights, you may notice them get dimmer with a failing alternator. On newer cars with HID or LED lighting, they may flicker on and off or just stop functioning altogether.
A failing light switch, either the headlight switch knob or the interior dimmer, also needs to be considered if you have flickering car lights. In some situations, just replacing a worn-out switch may solve the flickering light problem, especially in old vehicles or vehicles with excessive wear. If your car doesn’t fall into either category, it could be symptoms of a bigger problem with the car’s electrical system.
Understanding these concerns can be overwhelming, so if you see any issues with the lights flickering on your vehicle, bring it in immediately. Our trained technicians will diagnose the issue and provide you with options for fixing your flickering lights.
BMW of Houston Midtown is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Houston 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 luxury car or SUV service online or in person today.
