What to Do When Car Headlights Don't Work?
4 Answers
Car headlights not working can be addressed by: 1. Checking if the fuse is intact; 2. Verifying if the generator voltage regulator is set too high. The reasons for car headlights not working include: 1. The headlight bulb is burnt out; 2. Poor grounding contact of the headlight; 3. Damage to the headlight relay or combination switch; 4. Short circuit or break in the headlight power line; 5. The headlight fuse is damaged. Maintenance methods for car headlights include: 1. Regularly inspecting the headlight's sealing; if the sealing ring between the lens and reflector is damaged, replace it promptly; 2. Periodically cleaning the reflector; replace it if it turns black or the light intensity decreases; 3. Regularly removing dust and stains from the bulb.
Last time my headlights went out, I immediately pulled over and turned on the hazard lights—safety always comes first. I checked the fuse box in the dark for the corresponding label, and sure enough, there was a small fuse that had burned out and turned black. Replacing it with a spare fixed the problem. In such cases, it's almost always an issue with the fuse, so remember to keep spare fuses of various amperages in your glove box. If the lights don’t respond at all, don’t push your luck—call for roadside assistance right away. If the bulb or socket has poor contact, you can give it a couple of taps as a temporary fix. If this happens on the highway, you must head to the nearest service area immediately.
The headlights on my old car always give me trouble. Experience shows that burnt-out bulbs account for 70% of the issues. First, check if the filament is broken by getting down and looking – it can save a lot of hassle. The wiring holes in the front of the car are prone to wear and short circuits; I often use heat shrink tubing as a temporary fix. If the generator outputs higher voltage, it can cause a chain reaction of burnt components, so measuring the voltage with a multimeter is essential. Keep some clip-on fuses on hand—they’re more durable than standard ones, especially with so many LED modifications these days causing unstable currents.
Common issues when taking over an old car. First, distinguish whether both left and right lights are out or just one side: if both are out, focus on checking the combination switch under the steering wheel and the main fuse in the engine compartment; if one side is out, it's likely due to a rusted bulb socket. Regular halogen bulbs last about 300-400 hours, so it's recommended to clean the mud from the cooling vents when opening the cover for inspection. Sanding the contact points is more cost-effective than replacing new parts, but for electrical leaks, professional equipment is needed for diagnosis.
