Group 1 Kia South Austin can help you identify why your car or truck lights flicker.
If you observe your lights dimming while driving, it’s likely going to be from a failing battery. If your battery checks out fine, there are other common trouble spots that may be causing the issue. No matter the cause, you should have the problem fixed as quickly as possible. When your lights aren’t functioning properly, you may become a hazard to yourself and other drivers.
Dimming car lights can occur in three places:
Since the battery is the easiest part to replace, this is where a mechanic will look first. If the battery is dying, bring it to us so we can properly diagnose the issue and get the right battery for your vehicle. While there are cases caused due to a failing battery, there are other culprits to consider.
READ MORE: Kia Warning Lights
If the battery is not the cause of your flickering car lights, you might be dealing with a failing light bulb. Light bulbs are an easy and quick fix and present an opportunity to upgrade to new LED bulbs.
If it is a bad fuse, you may be looking at a bigger problem than you had originally realized. In most cases, a fuse fails when there is excess electrical current flowing through it. For example, if the anti-lock brakes are installed with a 10amp fuse, and the brake system gets over 10amps of electrical current, the fuse would fail. In this situation, this could also cause your anti-lock brakes to fail. If there’s a fuse that regularly fails, bring it in and we’ll diagnose the larger, potentially more serious issue.
Lights flickering on the dashboard could also be one of the signs your alternator is dying. Think of it this way, you use battery power to start your vehicle, but to keep your vehicle running, the power is supplied by your alternator. If you drive an old car with halogen lights, you may notice them gradually get dimmer with a dying alternator. On newer cars with HID or LED lights, they may flicker or just stop working altogether.
A failing light switch, either the interior dimmer or the headlight switch, should also be checked out when you have flickering lights on your car. In some rare situations, replacing a worn switch could solve the issue, especially in vehicles with excessive mileage or older cars. If your car is new, it could be a sign of a bigger problem with the car’s electrical system.
Diagnosing these problems can be overwhelming, so if you’re experiencing any issues with the lights flickering on your car, bring it in immediately. Our trained technicians will do a thorough investigation and give you options for fixing the flickering lights.
Group 1 Kia South Austin is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Austin 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 or SUV service online or in person today.
