
The reasons for the failure of the car's small lights not turning on are switch issues, socket issues, and wiring faults. Switch issues: When the car's small lights don't turn on, multiple checks should be performed. First, turn on the small light switch and check whether the voltage at the bulb's two electrodes is normal. If there is no voltage, inspect the switch and connectors. Socket issues: Connect the socket and check whether the small lights turn on. If there are no issues, proceed to inspect the wiring. Bulb wiring fault issues: Remove the tail light bulb and check whether the filament is burnt out. If the filament is intact, use a test pen or screwdriver to scrape the tail light's live wire terminal against the metal to check for sparks. If there are no sparks, it indicates an open circuit in the tail light wiring. Locate the open circuit and reconnect the wire. If there are sparks, it indicates poor grounding of the tail light.

I also encountered the issue of the small light not working when I was driving my Teana before. The main reason was actually the bulb burning out. The small lights on the Teana are particularly prone to failure because they are installed on the outermost part of the lamp housing. The vibrations during normal driving combined with rainwater seeping in can shorten the bulb's lifespan. You can find the bulb location by opening the hood, and you can replace the bulb by unscrewing the socket counterclockwise. It only takes about ten minutes to fix. If the light still doesn't work after replacing the bulb, you might need to check the fuse in the fuse box located at the lower left corner of the driver's seat. Here's a small detail: if only one small light is out, it's most likely a bulb issue; if both lights are out, it could be a problem with the switch or wiring.

When the small lights of the Teana suddenly stop working, it's most likely due to electrical wiring issues. I've handled several such cases where dust accumulation in the lamp connectors often causes poor contact, and high humidity can corrode the metal contacts. Using a multimeter to check the voltage will clarify the situation—normally, it should read 12 volts. If there's no reading, it indicates a blown fuse. Another critical point to note is that vehicles with modified audio systems are most prone to problems; improper wiring can cause current fluctuations that burn out the small bulbs. It's best to leave the wiring inspection to a 4S shop, as they can check if the chassis wiring harness has been chewed by rodents, which might require removing the entire headlight assembly.

I've been running an auto repair shop for over a decade and have fixed countless Teana parking light issues. About 80% of cases are simply due to expired bulbs - the factory halogen bulbs typically last about two years. Here's a lesser-known fact: while everyone's switching to LED parking lights now, older Teana models require additional resistors for proper compatibility. Switch malfunctions are also common, especially knob jamming during rainy weather. One special scenario worth noting: if your parking lights suddenly flicker after car washing, that's caused by water short-circuiting the lamp sockets. You must dry the circuit board immediately, or you risk burning out the vehicle's ECU.

Driving a Teana with malfunctioning parking lights can be really dangerous. Last time, my cousin almost had an accident because of this. The fog was extremely heavy that day, making the rearview mirror barely visible. In his rush to make a call, he didn't notice the parking lights weren't working, resulting in a rear-end collision on the highway. It's advisable for owners to develop the habit of walking around the car before driving, especially checking the front and rear parking lights. The newer Teana models have a dashboard warning light for lighting issues, while owners of older models should remember to manually inspect them. If the lights still don't work after replacing the bulbs yourself, don't continue driving—it might be due to a detached ground wire, and continuing to drive could burn out the entire lighting module.

Most minor light failures on the Teana can be prevented. I clean the lamp socket connectors every quarter. Using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to wipe the contact points, followed by blowing off dust with an air gun works exceptionally well. Wiring is most vulnerable to rodents, so I place some mint rodent repellent bags in the engine bay. In cold weather, be sure to start the car for three minutes before turning on the lights when temperatures are below freezing, otherwise cold bulbs can easily shatter upon electrification. Recently discovered a money-saving trick - bought a 30-yuan parking light set on Taobao, which lasts three times longer than the factory halogen bulbs. Just screw them in yourself, no wiring modifications needed at all.


