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 * Headlights Not Working? Check These Solutions


HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING? CHECK THESE SOLUTIONS

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Headlights provide multiple functionalities for us while we are driving. Of
course, if you’re driving in the dark, headlights can light the way and make it
easy for you to see, whether the darkness is caused by nightfall or by going
through a tunnel or dark parking garage.

Additionally, headlights can also help other people see us. Not to mention, if
you happen to have a failed headlight you risk being pulled over by traffic
authorities. There are many reasons why headlights are extremely important, and
it is vital to know what to do in the event that your headlights are not
working.


HOW DO HEADLIGHTS WORK?

The good news is that headlight systems are simple when compared to other
systems in your car. Most headlight systems are going to involve a fuse, switch,
relay, and bulb. Depending on the age of your car you may also have adaptive
headlights or running lights; however, even these more complex headlights
systems work similarly.

When the headlights turn on, they activate a relay in the system. This relay is
the connection between the battery of your car and your headlights. There are
also fuses involved to protect the rest of your electrical system should there
be a shortage. There are special relays involved if you choose to turn on your
high beam lights. When one of these components (or many of them) stop
functioning properly, you may find that your headlights no longer turn on.


IS THIS A DIY FIX?

In some cases, you may be able to fix your own headlights if they stop
functioning. Particularly if the issue happens to be a burned-out headlight, you
may be able to replace the bulb on your own with basic tools.

If the problem is more complex than this, you may be better off taking it to a
mechanic as a mechanic has advanced electrical equipment. For instance, you may
not have a voltmeter laying around at home, but your mechanic certainly does.



Lighting Essentials

Headlights

Headlight Assemblies

Lens Cleaning Kits


WHY ARE MY HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING?

1


WHAT IF ONE HEADLIGHT ISN’T WORKING?

This is probably the most common issue with headlights: you come home and notice
that one of your headlights isn't working. The most common issue here is that
one of the two bulbs has simply burned out. Even if both of your headlights were
installed at the same time, this doesn't necessarily mean that they will have
the exact same life. In fact, it's more common for one bulb to fail before the
other as opposed to both failing at the same time.

Visual inspection may prove that one of your headlights has corrosion or damage
at the site of the headlight connector. In the event that the electrical
connector is simply not tight enough, you may find that pushing on it solves the
problem.

However, you may want to take the time to ensure that outside forces are not at
work. Generally speaking, a halogen capsule headlight lasts between 500 and
1,000 hours of driving in the dark. If your light has suspiciously failed before
this amount of time, there may be something at work outside of the electrical
system that is causing it to fail. Another red flag is condensation on the
inside surface of the headlight. Sometimes the seal around the headlight can
fail, and this leads to water leaking inside of the headlight. If this happens,
then the headlight experiences a drastically reduced lifespan. In this case,
fixing the entire headlight assembly is necessary to prevent leakage.

2


WHAT IF BOTH HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING?

Both headlights suddenly ceasing to work is generally rarer than one headlight
turning off. A voltmeter can help you check the level of power at the
headlights. However, the issue causing the failure is usually going to be more
complex than bad bulbs if both lights go out simultaneously. In this case, you
may need to go through and test out the headlight fuses, switches, and relays.

The easiest of these components to check is the fuse. You need to read your
owner's manual to discover how your particular car operates, but replacing a
blown fuse is relatively simple in most circumstances. It is very important to
ensure that you are replacing the old fuse with a new fuse featuring the same
amperage rating. If you replace the fuse and it blows again soon after, you
likely have an issue somewhere else in the circuit.

If both of your headlights are not working and the fuse is not blown, you should
experiment with the relay. The most basic way to do this is to shake it: if you
hear rattling inside of the relay, this likely means that the relay has
experienced failure. Discolored terminals on the relay can also be a red flag.
If your headlights are not working but high beams are, it's likely that the
relay is the culprit.

In some cars, identical relays are used in circuits outside of the headlight
system. In this event, you can exchange the headlight relay with an identical
component to test it out. If this results in your headlights functioning again,
then the problem is the relay and you can simply purchase a new one for
installation.

If this does not fix the problem or if you find that your car has a different
relay for the headlight system compared to other electrical components, you may
need to take it into a professional for a diagnosis. More advanced equipment may
be necessary to determine the problem.

3


WHAT IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE JUST DIM?

If your headlights are still functioning but simply not as bright as they used
to be, there may be a number of factors causing this. The first is that as
headlights age, they often lose a bit of their brightness. You may find that
simply replacing the bulbs fixes the problem.

Another issue could be related to the headlight lenses. Oftentimes, older
headlight lenses may discolor or oxidize after a period of time. Additionally,
the headlight lenses may simply be dirty, in which case it is time to clean the
assembly. If your headlights are foggy, this may be caused by condensation on
the inside of the lenses. Generally foggy headlights mean that you should fix or
replace the headlight assembly.

Fixing headlights when they go out or go dim is of utmost importance. Safe
driving depends on it, so fix any issues related to your headlight system today.

Advice, how-to guides, and car care information featured on AutoZone.com and
AutoZone Advice & How-To’s are presented as helpful resources for general
maintenance and automotive repairs from a general perspective only and should be
used at your own risk. Information is accurate and true to the best of
AutoZone’s knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes.



Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store
near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair
information. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and
tool information for your particular vehicle. Always chock your wheels prior to
lifting a vehicle. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing
an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in
the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Use caution when
working with automotive batteries. Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn
clothing and skin or cause blindness. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and
other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Should
electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a
solution of baking soda and water. Do not wear ties or loose clothing when
working on your vehicle.



FREE Loan-A-Tool® program requires returnable deposit. Please note that the tool
that you receive after placing an online order may be in a used but operable
condition due to the nature of the Loan-A-Tool® program.





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