Repair Topics / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-1 / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-2

• Do I have a burned fuse connector?
• Why is one headlight dim?
• How to change a headlight bulb
• How does an electrical system work?
• How to reprogram a key fob remote control
• How to change wiper blades
• One or all brake lights not working
• No taillights or taillight light bulb out

MORE: Car lights questions

Question: 2004 Ford F-150 mileage 35,000. We use it every day to deliver newspapers. Four days ago, we noticed that there were no brake lights, so he changed the fuse and they came back on. Then, on Saturday, he noticed that they had gone off again. This time, when he tried to replace the fuse, the fuse kept blowing. He would put it in, and then when he pushed on the brake pedal, the fuse would blow. He tried 15, 20 and 25 amp fuses and they all blew out. Now, I'm going to tell you what he said, even though I don't know anything about this. It might not make sense. He said that he checked the relay that the hazard lights and the brake lights are on, and the points were burnt. He filed the points down in the hopes that this would work. He tried another fuse and again....when he pushed the brake pedal down, the fuse would blow. We have tail lights, and the hazard lights work, so we think that there is a short, but we can't find it. Do you think that's what it is? We really need to have this car fixed because we use it everyday. Could you please tell us why the fuses keep blowing when he pushes on the brake and maybe where to look for a short if you think there is one? I really hope this makes sense to you.

Answer: First, check for damage in any of the wiring. If your car is equipped with a trail hitch, check the wiring that hooks to the trailer. If this checks out okay, you may have a faulty turn signal switch.

Question: 2003 Toyota Tundra mileage: 67,000 I live in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and a requirement for cars here is daytime running lights. Recently these lights have been going on and off. I checked the fuse and it was alright. And there doesn't appear to be any other problems in the electrical system. Any suggestions?

Answer:   Yes, it sounds like your head light control switch is shorting out, replace with new and your problem should be fixed.

Question: 2001 Dodge Durango mileage: 60,000. The door ajar indicator light comes on at unpredictable intervals even when we have shut all possible doors and made sure that no door is ajar. It goes away for several days and then for no reason if starts doing it again and does it for a day or two, then stops. Any idea what's wrong?

Answer: You may have a door switch that is out of adjustment. Try opening and closing each of the doors and giving each door a little extra push to see if the light will go out. If it does that door switch needs adjusting or replacement.

Question: 1999 Lexus ES300 mileage: 77,000.  My right headlight has condensation inside which makes the glass foggy and damp and therefore does not throw as much light out as it should.  In order to pass state inspection (I wish to sell it soon) the dealership tells me I must replace the whole wraparound light unit at a cost of $539, plus $89 labor.  They said the seal has come undone.  I maintain they should just be able to replace the seal, and wipe off the glass.  They say no, the whole unit must be replaced.  The condensation is a result of a high powered washing, and happened once before, but eventually disappeared on its own.  Night vision is still excellent, even with the fog, but I do understand that it diminishes the lighting distance.  My question is this: Is there a substantially cheaper way to correct this problem than the suggestion by the dealership (replace the whole unit.)  The car is otherwise in exceptional shape, inside and out, and has been very well maintained.  Thanks in advance for your advice!

Answer:  Try removing the light bulb and socket from the back of the lens assembly. Let the lens dry out moisture. Replace your headlight bulb with new the seal that repels the water is faulty.

Question: 2003 Toyota Avalon mileage: 46,000.  I have replaced the dimmer switch which is also the headlight switch, and turn signal twice now.  It seems that when my heat is on for any extended period, my headlights go out; not the parking lights or interior lights, just the head lights...Please help.  That includes the brights too.  If I turn the car off for a while to cool, they work again. 

Answer:   Check the main power wires to the headlight switch.  You may have a bad connection if tests ok replace the headlight switch.

Question: 2004 Pontiac Grand Am mileage: 52,000.  How do I align the headlamps?  I know how to remove the assembly to change the bulbs but they are out of alignment.

Answer:  Aiming headlights correctly requires special equipment.   You can try shining them on the garage door you can get them pretty close that way.

Question: 2002 Dodge Caravan mileage: 50,000.  The headlights on our Dodge Caravan won’t come on and the fuses are fine.  The fog lights and hazards work but is there any other reason besides the fuses that wont let both headlights come on?

Answer: Check the headlight switch, it may be faulty.  Also, check the fusibles at the power distribution center under the hood.

Question: 2001 Chevrolet 1500 Truck mileage: 200,000 mi.  I recently bought a Chevrolet 1/2 ton. The bright lights do not let me see as far as the dim lights.   Obviously, I need to align the headlights.   Years ago I had a book of some kind that told me how far to be away from a wall and how high each light should beam.  I do not have that book anymore. Can you help?

Answer: Aiming headlights correctly requires special equipment.  You can shine them on the garage door you can get them pretty close that way.

Question: 2002 Honda Accord mileage: 86,000. My left directional signal does not flash. All bulbs are good. When activated the indicator on the dash remains on but does not blink. The right directional is fine.

Answer:  Your turn signal flasher is bad. Replacing it should repair the problem.

Question: 2006 Toyota Tundra mileage: 3,000. I have automatic headlights and my lights had been flickering on and off, now they won't come on at all by way of manually turning them on or by the automatic. The parking lights do work. I have been told that it is the relay and needs replacing. Where is this relay for my headlights located?

Answer: The headlight relay is located behind the dash to the right of the steering column. Or in the power distribution center under the hood.

Question: 2003 Chevy Impala mileage: 63,000. I need to know how to change the bulb on my parking lights? How do you get to the bulb, I tried by unscrewing the adjustment screw but it still didn't budge. Do you go from underneath, under the hood or what? I was out there for about 30 minutes and the manual does not show how the change the parking bulb. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Answer: The bulbs are changed from underneath the front of the car.

Question: 2002 Ford Ranger mileage: 75,000. When my lights are turned on the right blinker light comes on at the dash and the turn signal lights on the right side of the truck stay on (not blinking). When the lights are on the right turn signal does not blink. When the lights are off the turn signal works but all the dashboard lights flash as well as the clock/radio station light. Do I have a Bad ground or is it the flasher (I have been to several auto parts stores to switch out the flasher but I cannot seem to find one. If it is a bad ground how can I find where it is or how can I fix this annoying problem.

Answer: Check, the tail light/stop light bulbs and front turn bulbs. We are betting the wrong bulb was installed in one of these locations. A bulb with a single contact will "back feed" the circuit that requires a double contact bulb.

Question: 2002 Buick Century mileage: 68,000. When I step on the brake pedal, my brake light in the rear window goes on but the other brake lights do not. I have checked all of the bulbs and fuses and they all seem to be working properly. I have also traced the wires as far as possible to check for breaks but found nothing. Any suggestions?

Answer: Check your turn signal switch. Sounds like it has shorted.

Question: 2002 Ford Ranger, mileage: 89,000. My son has a Ford Ranger, which has been a great truck for him. Recently his rear running lights, dash lights, and windshield wipers all stopped working at the same time. I suspect a lose or bad ground. Is there something in common to all of these components that could cure the problem? The rear turn signals and break light work fine!

Answer: Check the fuse panel for a blown fuse. Test the fuses with the circuit under load (running lights switched on).

Question: 2001 Nissan Altima 70,000 miles. Just recently, when pushing down on the brake pedal, the lights on the radio display will dim and flash. When the brake is release, all lighting appears normal. Sometimes, as well as the radio display problem, there will be a popping sound. I was told that it could be the module housing for the headlights, parking lights, etc. Is this correct? Any other ideas that I need to check before I start buying and replacing parts?

Answer: Check rear tail\brake light bulbs (sounds like you have the wrong bulbs installed.)

Question: 2001 Ford F-150, miles: 56,000 The fog lights were filled with moldy water and the bulbs were rusted along the shaft. I tried to replace one but no success. Can the fog lights work if only one has a bulb or do I need to have two new bulbs, or is there a wiring problem?

Answer:   Yes, they will work with one bulb, but it looks like you have a connection problem at the socket. Also, check for proper grounding. Disassemble to clean or replace sockets, and try to seal the fog light housing or replace them.

Question: 2002 Pontiac Grand Am miles: 78,000. I find when I turn my lights on the digital odometer and digital message board in the car goes off, they sometimes come on again but not always. As soon as I turn the lights off, they come back on.

Answer: The instrument cluster is going bad. To fix the problem it needs to be replaced.

Question: 2001 Chevrolet 3500 Truck miles; 165,000. The wire harness for the tail lights was taken off and put back on, and now they don't work. One blinker works ok and the other is very dim. There are no running lights or brake lights.  Any suggestions?

Answer:   Sounds like you have a poor ground connection between the tail light assembly and the fender or try disconnecting and then reconnecting the harness. Sometimes dirt can get in the connector causing the poor connection. Then clean the mounting surfaces or add an extra ground wire from the tail-light housing to the frame.

Repair Topics / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-1 / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-2

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