Free Auto Repair Advice by Certified ASE Technicians
How Do
I Repair My Car? /
Checking
Lights, Alarm and Horn
How Do I Check My Headlights, Lights and
Horn?
The lights in and around your vehicle are not only a convenience
they are a safety precaution. All lights on your vehicle should be working at all
times, if fact it's against the law for any exterior lights on your car not to be
working. If it was designed by the manufacturer to work on your vehicle it must
work at all times. Make it a regular check for your vehicle to assure the proper
operation for your lights. Always check headlight operation at night or in a dark
garage. First inspect the headlight lens for cracks and clarity, next turn the headlights
on, the headlights should shine bright. If your headlight bulb has failed; here
are some steps you can do to replace it. First determine if your headlight bulb
is composite or sealed beam. Most cars and trucks today have composite lenses with
easy to replace headlight bulbs. Next remove the retainer that holds the bulb in
the headlight housing, replace bulb with new unit and reassemble, recheck operation.
Note: there is a notch in the headlight bulb that only allows it to be installed
one way.
Step 1 - Checking Headlight Operation
Vehicles today have a variety of features incorporated into the
front lighting system. This car has high beam/low beam headlights, front running
lights and blinkers, headlight lens cleaners and a headlight sensor used to automatically
lower your vehicles high beam headlights when the sensor detects opposing traffic.
Step 2 - Checking tail light, side marker, reverse, running light and stop
light bulbs.
For best results check bulb operation at night or in a dark garage.
Step on the brake pedal to check brake lights, make sure all brake lights illuminate
including the middle third brake light. Turn headlight switch to the first selection,
inspect all side marker, front running lights, and tail lights.
Step 3 - Checking third or upper brake light.
All passenger vehicles have a third or upper brake light located
between and above the normal side brake lights. To check on this light operation,
turn key to the "on" position (do not start). Step on brake light, all brake lights
should illuminate including the third or upper brake, light.
Step 4 - Checking emergency flashers or hazard lights
To check your emergency flasher lights (or hazard flasher) operation
locate the emergency switch then activate it. Check around your vehicle to make
sure all lights are functioning properly. Deactivate emergency flasher switch to
stop flasher operation.
Step 5 - Changing headlight and other bulbs
To replace headlight, blinker and running light bulbs you must
gain access to the lens where the bulb is located. All vehicles are different but
the concept is the same. Remove lens release pins, screws or clips.
Step 6 - Remove headlight assembly
After the mounting hardware has been removed, hold the headlight
lens in both hands for safety and remove in from the vehicle.
Step 7 - Changing the bulb
After the headlight housing has been removed, undo the headlight
bulb from the headlight housing (turn counter clockwise) the bulb will come out of
the socket and make sure the replacement bulb is exactly the same before you reinstall
the bulb. Recheck bulb operation after repair is complete.
Step 8 - Checking Factory Alarm Operation
Some vehicles are manufactured with a "built in" alarm system.
To activate the alarm system depress the "lock" button on the key fob. All doors
will lock and the alarm indicator light will start blinking to inform
you the alarm has now been activated. To disarm alarm system depress the "unlock" button
on the key fob.
Step 9 - Checking horn operation
Most horn operation is controlled by the center pad of the vehicle
steering wheel. By pushing down into the wheel you will feel the center pad push
down about a quarter of an inch. At this point the horn should operate. Some vehicles
have the horn operation in various levers around the steering column.
Common Problems:
- Bulb burn out and does not work.
- Incorrect bulb replacement causing system short circuits/incorrect operation.
- Bad light socket ground causing the bulb to be dim.
How Do
I Repair My Car? /
Checking
Lights, Alarm and Horn
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