Gene Messer Chevrolet can help you identify what the meaning of flickering car or truck lights is.
If you notice your vehicle lights dimming while driving, it’s probably due to a dying battery. If the battery checks out fine, there are other common trouble areas that could be responsible for the issue. Whether it’s the car battery or something else, it’s imperative that you have the problem fixed as quickly as possible. When your lights aren’t functioning properly, you could become a hazard to other drivers.
The 3 areas flickering car lights can happen are:
Because the battery is the most convenient item to replace, this is where most of us will look first. If the battery is dying, bring it to us so we can properly diagnose the issue and get the specific OEM parts for your car. While most cases result from a dying battery, there are other factors to consider.
READ MORE: Chevrolet Dashboard Lights
If your battery is not the reason for your flickering car lights, you might be looking at a failing light bulb. Light bulbs are an easy and quick fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new energy-efficient LED bulbs.
If it is a blown fuse, you could be looking at a more significant issue than you had originally realized. In most cases, a fuse only fails when there is too much electrical current runs through it. As an example, if the anti-lock brakes are connected to a 10amp fuse, and the brake system gets more than 10amps of electricity, the fuse would fail. In this situation, your anti-lock brakes would fail due to the blown fuse. If you have a fuse that continues to fail, bring it in so we can accurately diagnose the bigger, potentially more serious issue.
Flickering dashboard lights could also be one of the signs the alternator is failing. Think of it this way, you start your vehicle with battery power, but to keep your vehicle running, the power is supplied by the alternator. If you have an older vehicle with halogen lights, you may see them gradually get dimmer with a failing alternator. For newer cars equipped with HID or LED lighting, they may flicker or just stop working altogether.
A failing light switch, either the interior lights dimmer or the headlight switch, should be considered when you have flickering lights on the car. In some uncommon situations, replacing a worn switch might solve the flickering light issue, especially in older cars or vehicles with excessive wear. If your car doesn’t fall into either category, it could be symptoms of a bigger issue with the vehicle’s electrical system.
Figuring out these concerns can feel overwhelming, so if you are experiencing any issues with the lights flickering on your vehicle, bring it to us immediately. Our trained technicians will investigate the issue and offer you options for fixing your flickering dashboard lights.
Gene Messer Chevrolet is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Lubbock 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 car, truck, SUV, or van service online or in person today.
