Sandia BMW can help you identify what it means when vehicle lights are flickering.
If you see your car lights dimming while driving, it’s most likely going to be from a battery that’s dying. If your car battery is normal, there are other common trouble spots that are likely responsible for the issue. No matter the cause, it’s imperative that you have the problem diagnosed and fixed ASAP. When your lights aren’t working correctly, you might become a danger to other drivers.
The three places flickering car lights generally occur are:
Since the battery is the easiest component to replace, this is where most of us will look first. If the battery is bad, bring it to us so we can diagnose the problem and get the correct OEM battery for your vehicle. While there are cases that result from a bad battery, there are other culprits to consider.
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If your car battery isn’t the reason for your flickering car lights, it could be a bad light bulb. Failing light bulbs are an easy fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new LED bulbs.
If it is a bad fuse, you may be looking at a larger problem than you had originally thought. A fuse dies when there is too much electrical current runs through it. As an example, if the anti-lock brakes are installed with a 10amp fuse, and the brake system receives more than 10amps of electricity, the fuse will fail. In this situation, a blown fuse would cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If there’s a fuse that continues to fail, bring it in so we can accurately diagnose the larger, potentially more dangerous problem.
Flickering lights may also be signs that your alternator is dying. Think of it like this, you start your vehicle with battery power, but to keep your vehicle running, the power comes from your alternator. If you own an older car with halogen lights, you may see them slowly get dimmer with a failing alternator. On new cars with HID or LED lights, they may flicker or just stop functioning altogether.
A failing light switch, whether it’s the headlight switch knob or the interior dimmer, also needs to be considered when you have flickering car lights. In some uncommon situations, just replacing a worn-out switch might solve the flickering light issue, especially in old vehicles or vehicles with excessive mileage. If your car is newer, it could be a sign of a bigger concern with the electrical system.
Understanding these problems can seem overwhelming, so if you experience any issues with the lights flickering on your vehicle, bring it in immediately. Our technicians will do a thorough investigation and provide you with options for fixing the flickering lights.
Sandia BMW is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Albuquerque 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.
