Apr 29, 2021
One of the most frustrating things about being a car owner is trying to identify a problem. Cars will give us a clue as to what is wrong, but they are communicated in a host of ways from unusual smells and loud noises to strange movements.
In this case, we are looking at flickering external car lights. Car lights flickering might not always be indicating a bulb change, it could be part of a bigger problem and in this article, we are going to look at the possible causes.
There are many different reasons why your headlights are flickering, and usually this is because of electrical system failures. The rate at which they flicker can sometimes help you pinpoint the problem, like are the flickering at random or do they go on and off at regular intervals? Let's take a look at some of the common causes:
Headlight bulbs have a life cycle, just like bulbs you would use in your home. When the bulbs get too old, they may not work as they did when you first purchased the car and physical damage to the headlamps can also cause flickering.
Your car’s battery powers the lights in your car and if your battery is coming to the end of it’s lifespan, the headlights may not be able to function properly. Other battery problems can also cause flickering.
Car alternators have voltage regulators inside to keep the electrical current outputs consistent and like any other car part, it has a lifespan. Failing alternators will be gradual and when the process begins you will notice the headlights flickering.
If your headlight bulbs have not been fitted correctly to the wiring system, you will experience flickering. You might even experience the headlights flickering when driving on an uneven road which could be due to fuses or loose connectors. If they don’t flicker, they might stop working.
