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Taillights are very vital in safe driving, mostly when driving at night. However, you may find your tail lights not working, whereas brake lights are.
Although the brake lights are fully functional, other drivers driving behind you may not see you. As a result, an accident may occur due to dysfunctional tail lights.
Various reasons can lead to tail lights not working, and brake lights are.
Reasons Why This Can Happen
1. Burnt Bulb
The taillights of your car use light bulbs, which works similarly to your household lamps. Therefore, just like your household bulbs, your tail lights can also get burnt.
Also, the brake lights and the tails lights of your car use different bulbs.
Therefore, the taillights bulb can get burnt while the brake lights are not. As a result, you will have your brake lights working, and your tail lights not working.
So, if your tail lights are not working, you need to check if your bulb is okay.
2. Dislocated or Damaged Wiring
Damaged or disrupted wiring can cause tail lights not to work, but brake lights are. The two lightings use different wiring as each bulb has got its power supply.
A recent accident at the tail end of your car can increase the likelihood of this problem. So, the breaking lights might be working if their wires are not damaged. This problem occurs when you have severe or lose power cables.
3. Blown-out Fuse
Similarly, the blown-out fuse might be another cause for tail lights not working, and brake lights are. Each electronic of your car has a connection to its wick. Therefore, when certain fuse blows-out, its light stops working.
This functionality explains why tails lights may fail to work while brake lights are. When a fuse breaks, it cuts off the circuit. You need to check on your fuse to confirm if this is your tail lights problem.
4. Electrical Problems
An electrical problem is another issue that may lead to your tail lights not working. However, in such a case, you need to take your car to the mechanic. Electrical problems usually come as a result of the domino effect of blown-out fuse and faulty wiring.
How to Check Each Component
1. Burnt bulb
For you to confirm your tail lights problem, you should check various elements. The burnt bulb is one of the things to check, though it is simple to do so.
To access the lamp, you can either remove the trunk or the lenses. After that, you can unscrew the bulbs and examine for blackened ones.
Also, the car dashboard has a signal indicator that shows when a bulb is not okay. You can also use this signal indicator to confirm if your bulbs are the problem. Also, looking if the filament of your lamp is intact is another way. Working bulbs have their thread intact.
If you find out that your bulb is the problem, you only need to replace them. Car bulbs can are available at a local automotive store.
2. Damaged or dislocated wiring
To check the condition of your taillight wiring is easy. First, you need to open the trunk to gain access to the wires.
If the cables are loose, that could be the cause of tail lights not working. To solve the problem in such a case, you only need to re-attach the cables.
However, for severed wires, you need to visit a mechanic for proper fixing.
3. Blown-out fuse
A blown-out fuse could cause your tail lights not to work. The car fuse looks similar to any other fuse out there.
To check this component, you need to locate the fuse box first. However, as you inspect the fuse box, switch off the car ignition.
Ensuring that the car ignition is off might save you from electrocution. The use of flashlight can help you identify the tail light fuse.
After identifying the right fuse, you need to remove and inspect it. When the metal found inside the fuse is intact, the fuse is okay.
However, a broken wire indicates that the wick is faulty. In such a situation, replacing the fuse can fix your tail lights problem
Fuses vary in voltage, and therefore you need to check the right fuse.
4. Electrical problems
Lastly, you need to check the electrical problem. In most cases, a mechanical problem occurs due to the effects of blown-out fuses and faulty wiring. However, mechanics are in a better position to pinpoint and remedy such issues.
5. check Wiring
You should inspect your wiring when your tail lights fail, but brake lights are working. The rodents might have nibbled away at your wiring inside in your car.
Therefore, you need to check if all the connections are perfectly tied together.
Besides, it is essential to have a look at the wiring diagram. It will enable you to understand how your car lighting system works, informs you how to make minor changes.
Also, it will allow you to identify which wire you should follow to rectify the problem.
Corrosion could be a reason for faulty wiring as well. After some time, rain moisture and snow may enter into your fuse box and wiring. As a result, the humidity can lead to rust, which can disrupt the whole electric circuit.
Therefore, you should check your car wiring to ensure they are all in good condition.
Checking the wiring also enables you to realize a problem with your car early enough. Doing so keeps you prepared and ready to make changes. You also get to understand your vehicle better.
6. Check Turn Signal Switch
In some cars, the switch of the tail lights attains its power through one circuit. In such a case, it includes the turn signal light as well. However, not every car has this feature.
Therefore, to confirm if your car operates in this manner, you should check a wiring diagram. This diagram will help you establish if the wires are passing through the switch signal turn.
However, you need to identify the wire that connects the turn signal switch to tail lights. Then, you should replace the cable to solve the problem. After doing that, your tail lights should typically work, thus giving you a safer driving experience.
Excellent vehicle lighting makes you easily seen by other drivers. As a result, that minimizes accident occurrence possibilities. Besides, you will have abided by traffic laws, thus giving you lesser problems with the police.
Therefore, it is essential always to inspect your vehicle to check if it's in good condition. Also, inspecting your car helps you notice any problem it might be having early enough. It also helps you keep it well maintained.
Conclusion
When you own a car, you need to inspect it regularly as well. This inspection will help you ensure that every part is functioning correctly. As a result, you will practice safe driving.
Lights are essential in a car as they help you increase your road safety. When driving a vehicle without the taillights, someone can accidentally hit you from behind. Other drivers might not see you, mostly if you have a dark car.
Therefore, it is essential you know what could lead to the failure of the taillights. Also, you need to know how to identify a burnt-out bulb and replace it.
It is essential to know how to check for damaged wiring and how to replace them. This information is crucial in helping you fix the light yourself. It is also economical.
Besides, you also need to know how to check and identify the blown-our fuses. You should know where to get and replace them as well.
You should have the necessary information on how to check and rectify wiring problems. Information about all these possible causes of tail lights failure is essential.
It helps you be more observant and be able to solve some problems without calling the mechanic.
