If your car's taillight is broken or doesn't work, don't take it to a repair shop! For easy fuse or bulb replacement, you can do it yourself at a lower cost. You could be ticketed by the traffic police if your taillights don't work or are damaged, so don't waste any more time. Continue reading and learn how to fix your car's taillights.
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Part 1 of 2: Checking the Source of the Problem
Step 1. Check the fuse
A blown fuse can cause both lights to fail. In newer cars, the taillights may have separate fuses and/or individual bulbs or combined circuits are connected to the same fuse circuit. There are many causes for a blown fuse, so you'll need to be sure, but it's a good first step. Look in the car's manual to find the location of your car's fuse box. In older cars, the fuse box is located under the dashboard, while most newer cars place it under the hood or dashboard. The manual contains a picture of the fuse box with labels indicating its parts. Make sure the contact position is not lit, then open the fuse box cover and find the tail light fuse. Use a flashlight to check whether the fuse is blown or not. In most newer cars, the fuse must be removed from the box for inspection as the arrangement of the fuses in the box is very complicated.
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If the metal chip inside the taillight fuse is intact, it means it's still working.
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If the metal chip appears damaged or cracked, the fuse is blown and must be replaced. Remove the fuse from its case with your finger or tongs. Newer cars usually have a fuse remover in the fuse box or tool box. The plucking tool is small and made of white plastic with a shape resembling pliers. Take the fuse to the auto parts store and purchase a suitable replacement, then put the replacement fuse back in its original place to replace the blown fuse.
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Step 2. Check the taillight wiring system
This cable is the cable that connects to the taillight on the inside of the trunk lid. Open the trunk and check. You'll see where the wires need to go for the electrical system to work properly. If any cables are loose or disconnected, reconnect them.
Most of the newer cars put the cable path behind the trunk panel so that it cannot be accessed without opening the panel
Step 3. Check the condition of the car's taillight bulb
If the fuse and wires appear fine, it could be the bulb that has a problem. To check, remove the taillight lens bolt from the outside with a screwdriver. If the lens is not screwed in, open the trunk so you can access the bulb from the inside. Remove the bulb and inspect it like a home light bulb: see if the filament wire inside the bulb is intact or not. You can tap the bulb against your palm to see if the filament wire moves or vibrates.
- Generally, car taillights consist of bulbs for brake/turn signals, reverse lights, taillights, side marker lights, and self-reversing indicators on certain types of cars. For cars with the same brake light and turn signal bulbs, the turn signal indicator on the dashboard will flash faster if the bulb is damaged by a short circuit or caught fire. This also applies if the rear turn signal light of the vehicle is shorted or burned out.
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If the bulb is damaged, you will need to replace it. Take the damaged bulb to the nearest auto parts store and buy the type of bulb that fits your car.
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If the bulb isn't damaged, your car may have a more serious electrical problem. If the fuses, light wires, and bulbs are in good condition, it's time to take your car to a repair shop.
Fix Car Tail Lights Step 3Bullet2 - When replacing a bulb, you should check for any burnt or melted parts of the socket or the bulb is damaged.
Step 4. Check the rear light lens
Whether or not you can repair your car's taillights after checking the fuses, wires, and bulbs, it's also important to check the lenses to make sure they aren't damaged or cracked. Water entering the lens can cause the bulb to short circuit. Continue reading to find out how to repair a broken or cracked lens.
Part 2 of 2: Using Lens Repair Equipment
Step 1. Remove the car taillight lens
Step 2. Repair lens cracks with special lens repair adhesive tape
The use of adhesive tape is only a temporary fix. You can buy adhesive tape or lens repair kits that come with a resin solution. Just apply this liquid to cover the lens crack and make it watertight again.
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You will need to clean and dry the area where the adhesive tape will be applied. Before applying the adhesive tape, wipe the area with a lint-free cloth that has been moistened with spirit spirit, let it dry, then apply the adhesive tape. Do not use glass cleaner because the ammonia in the liquid prevents the adhesive tape from sticking properly. Wipe the area with the spirit one more time to remove the stain and get a clean surface.
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Determine the size of the lens crack and then cut the adhesive tape slightly larger than that size.
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Remove the back of the adhesive tape.
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Flatten any air bubbles that appear when applying the adhesive tape so as not to distort the lens.
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Step 3. Repair damaged holes and spots with liquid resin
If the hole is large enough, you can fill it with resin wax. Purchase a lens repair kit that includes a resin wax to fill a slightly larger hole.
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Cover the outside of the lens with the plastic adhesive tape found in the repair kit to prevent the resin wax from spilling out.
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Mix the resin with the catalyst and coloring agent according to the instructions in the repair kit. Wear disposable gloves when performing this process to prevent skin exposure to resin.
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Pour the resin into the spray provided.
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Spray resin into the hole and make sure the entire area to be filled is covered.
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Let it dry for about 2 hours.
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Remove the plastic adhesive tape and rub the surface with sandpaper to make it smooth and even.
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Tips
- It's a good idea to buy a taillight bulb and lens cap to spare. That way, you don't have to visit the auto parts store every time your car's taillights fail. Certain types of bulbs are also very hard to find so it's best if you have plenty of spare bulbs and lenses.
- Knowing how to replace a broken bulb yourself is also very beneficial. As described above, this task is very easy. Knowing how to replace a damaged taillight saves you from having to spend big on expensive car headlight maintenance.
- Some modern cars use LED type taillights instead of regular bulbs. There are types of LED taillights that cannot be repaired, so the entire set of taillights must be replaced.
- To avoid a ticket next time, make sure your car's taillights are always in top condition. Car taillights can last for several years. But it's a good idea to have a thorough check-up once or twice a year. That way, you can make sure your car's taillights are always working.
- So, the next time your car's taillights have a problem, you can easily fix them because you can replace them yourself. A properly functioning car taillight will ensure you can drive safely on the highway and avoid accidents.
- Car taillights are an important safety feature of a vehicle. These lights provide important signals to other drivers behind you, especially if you are going to slow down, stop or turn, and when driving at night.
- Without the car's taillights, the chances of being hit from behind increase. A number of consecutive collisions have occurred due to car taillights that do not work. These lights are very important, especially in bad weather that affects visibility on the road.
- If the taillights are working properly, you can report the matter to the police station. In America, this procedure must be done to cancel the ticket that was imposed on you.
- This is why the traffic police on the road are very strict on the condition of your car's taillights. They were very quick to notice a faulty taillight given its serious impact on road safety.
