Why Are My Headlights Flickering?

Your headlights are an important part of your vehicle, as they not only help illuminate your path at night, but also let other drivers know you’re approaching. If they start to flicker, that’s a worrying issue on its own, but it could also indicate a deeper problem. The parts and service team here at Hinton Dodge Chrysler take a look at a few of the possible causes of headlight flickering, and what it could mean for your vehicle.

Dying Battery

The most common problem that could be causing flickering or dimming headlights is a dying battery. A car battery generally lasts around five years, but the charge can be affected by things like frequent short trips, leaving it parked for long periods, or not running it regularly in cold weather. A good bet is to get your battery inspected if you notice an issue with your headlights.

Failing Alternator

The alternator in your vehicle helps turn the engine energy output into an electrical charge to keep the battery charged. If the alternator is failing, it will affect the electrical output of the vehicle. If the battery can’t keep charged, the headlights and other electrical systems will start to have problems drawing power. If caught quickly, this could be a simple fix, or you could be looking at a more costly replacement.

Old Bulbs

Lightbulbs wear out, just as much on a car as they do in a desk lamp, and often they’ll start to get dimmer or flicker as they reach the end of their life. This is fortunately one of the fastest and least expensive possible issues to fix. A simple service appointment can take care of it, no problem.

Loose Connections

Your vehicle’s electrical systems are wired together with an assortment of connections, and anything from a loose wire to a blown fuse could be causing issues with power reaching the headlights. When it comes to loose connections in particular, you may notice that the flickering in the headlights happens mainly on bumpy or rough roads. Don’t try to rewire your vehicle yourself! Get it in for service so our professional technicians can do it safely and correctly.

When your headlights are flickering or dimming, it may be a simple fix like a broken bulb, or a more serious repair like the alternator. No matter what the underlying issue, our certified service department is up to the task of dealing with it quickly and effectively. Book a service appointment, today, so the team here at Hinton Dodge Chrysler can get your headlights fixed, and get you back on the road as soon as possible!