How to Fix a Car's Small Light That Won't Turn On?
4 Answers
The filaments of small and large light bulbs often burn out during use, possibly due to a faulty voltage regulator, excessively high voltage, or poor contact in the battery wires. If neither the high nor low beams turn on when the headlight switch is engaged, first check if any fuses in the fuse box are blown, and then inspect the car's lighting switch for faults.
I remember one time when my car's parking lights suddenly stopped working, and I fixed it myself! First, I parked the car on a flat surface and turned off the engine. Then, I located the parking light position, used a small screwdriver to remove the light cover, and checked the bulb—sure enough, it was burnt out. I bought a new bulb and replaced it, solving the problem for just a few dozen yuan. If the lights still don’t work after replacing the bulb, I recommend checking the fuse box—usually, the fuse for the parking lights might have blown, and replacing it with a new one should fix the issue. If the problem persists, it could be a loose wire or a short circuit, requiring a multimeter to measure the voltage or a visit to a repair shop for inspection. Parking lights not working can affect nighttime parking safety, so don’t delay repairs. Regular cleaning of the light covers and checking bulb lifespan can help prevent such issues. In short, start with the simplest solutions to save time and money.
I've fixed the parking light issues several times, and here's my practical step-by-step approach: First, check if the bulb is burnt out by using a flashlight to inspect whether the filament is broken. Second, ensure the fuse hasn't blown - locate the fuse box under the dashboard, refer to the manual to find the parking light fuse, pull it out to check. Third, verify the wiring connections; if the plug is loose, just push it in firmly. If none of these work, you might need to replace the relay or switch, but it could be tricky for beginners to DIY, so I recommend trying it in the garage with proper tools. Don't forget to check for water accumulation or debris in the light housing, which can also cause poor contact. Untreated parking light issues may lead to police fines or safety hazards, so I usually keep some spare parts at home.
When encountering small light failure, I first consider bulb and circuit issues. Bulbs burn out easily - simply remove and replace with a new one. Circuit faults like short circuits or open circuits interrupt current flow; inspect cables for damage and test positive/negative electrodes with a probe. Blown fuses are common causes - locate and replace the corresponding fuse in the fuse box. Poor connector contact frequently occurs; tighten or clean the contacts. Relay failures that prevent power control usually require professional equipment for diagnosis. I recommend starting with simple solutions since small lights are easy to maintain, leaving complex issues to qualified technicians.
