Car Lights Flickering: Causes & Fixes

The lights in your vehicle should provide consistent lighting if everything is working properly, but drivers may experience them flickering every now and then. Car lights flickering can be caused by a variety of factors, and it’s something you should have checked out because it could suggest an electrical issue.

Causes of Car Lights Flickering

There are various reasons for car lights flickering as below:

A battery that isn’t working or is dying

Flickering dash lights or headlights, dashboard lights, and other lighting in your automobile are frequently caused by a failing car battery. Flickering headlights can be caused by a faulty battery because they rely on it to function properly.

In this situation, you should get a battery test at your local shop. If it’s a dead battery, you’d better replace it immediately. A vehicle’s battery typically lasts up to 5 years. However, frequent short rides, leaving your vehicle parked for long periods of time, driving with multiple aftermarket electrical auto items, or living in a hot or cold climate will all affect the life of your battery.

Alternator failure

Your alternator transfers electricity through your vehicle’s electrical parts and recharges the battery while you’re driving. Your battery powers a number of components like the electric power steering, radio, heated seats, and speakers, in addition to your headlights and dashboard.

The electrical power of your vehicle is lowered when the alternator starts to fail. Because the car battery operates the lights, this could cause the headlights to flicker or dim. When your alternator fails to charge your battery, the electrical system of your car quickly depletes.

If this occurs, get your damaged alternator examined by a professional to see if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. Always keep in mind that if your car’s battery indicator glows, it usually signifies the alternator has failed or the charging system is malfunctioning.

Contacts that aren’t tight

When the lights in your automobile flicker, it could mean that a connection is loose or that a fuse isn’t correctly installed. When running over bumpy roads or terrain, this problem is more evident, and your dashboard lights may flicker. Because locating poor connections and broken fuses can be difficult, it’s best to bring your automobile to an auto shop for a full examination of your vehicle’s electrical system issues. This problem can also be caused by a filthy or loose battery wire; you may see your dashboard lights blinking.

Damaged bulbs

Your lights may begin to flicker if the components of your car’s lighting system become old or faulty. Thankfully, this is a rather simple fix. Bring your automobile to a professional to get any damaged bulbs or led lights replaced. You can also do it yourself.

Switch that is not working

You may notice flickering lights if the vehicle’s computer and electrical system don’t communicate well.  A faulty switch, usually on headlights, could be the source of this problem. The addition of a new headlight switch will cure this problem. Alternatively, your vehicle’s electrical or computer system may require a more thorough examination.

Wiring that isn’t up to code

Automobile lights can flicker owing to physical impacts on the wiring elements. Because wires are prone to becoming worn, brittle, or melting as a result of heat. In rare cases, the wire could begin to break from the connectors, resulting in a poor connection. It’s possible that replacing the defective cables will cure the problem. Because this necessitates the disabling of electrical components, a certified expert’s opinion may be helpful.

How to Fix Car Light Flickering

If you’ve gone over the most common causes of car lights flickering, it’s time to get them fixed.

Here’s what you can do to fix the problem(s) and keep your car from getting any worse:

1. Make sure your alternator is in good working order. This is an area where you should absolutely put a stop to the situation.
2. To see if this fixes the problem, look for any weak or unsteady ground connections, cables, fasteners, or wires (especially ignition wiring).
3. If you’re not certain about your abilities or skill level in this area, you can have a mechanic check it for you.  Even if you’re pretty thorough, having a second set of eyes on a car issue is always reassuring.
4. Check your car battery to determine whether it is charging adequately and inspect it for any signs of corrosion.

Conclusion

The best way to deal with flickering lights is to take action right away. You don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road. If your alternator dies, your battery will be completely depleted, leaving you with a bad battery and alternator to replace! Always be cautious, and have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible.