How To Repair Car Tail Lights?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  1. Step 1: Locate the tail light access panel. …
  2. Step 2: Unbolt the tail light housing. …
  3. Step 3: Unlock the tail light socket. …
  4. Step 4: Inspect the wiring. …
  5. Step 5: Remove and inspect the bulb. …
  6. Step 6: Replace the bulb with a brand new one. …
  7. Step 7: Test out the new bulb.

Can you repair tail lights?

LED tail lights have a high failure rate. Fortunately,

they’re easy to repair or replace as a do-it-yourself job

. Although LED tail lights are designed to last, moisture may enter worn housings and could corrode circuit boards, causing the resistors to fail.

What would cause tail lights not to work?

The most likely cause for malfunctioning tail lights is

a blown fuse, followed by a problem with the wiring or the control switch

. Other causes include bad light bulbs, faulty bulb socket, or a bad light sensor. The taillights have separate controls, wiring, and sockets for each of the functionalities.

How much does it cost to fix tail lights?

A new tail light switch, accounting for labor, will cost from

$70 to $100

. The plastic and colored lens over on top is a bit more pricey. Depending on the make and model of your car, a replacement tail light lens will leave you lighter by between $100, and upwards of $750.

How do you diagnose tail light problems?

While you may have a few burnt out bulbs, the more likely option is that your vehicle has a burnt-out taillight fuse. All you need to do to check is

locate your vehicle’s fuse box and check the fuse with a test light or a multimeter

. If you don’t have either, you simply remove the taillight fuse and look at it.

What is tail light fuse called?

The

stop lamp fuse

is in the left kick panel inside the vehicle. It is a 15amp fuse that powers the stop light switch on the brake pedal.

Can you put tape over a broken tail light?

For temporary tail light lens repairs

use regular tape

. You must use the same color tape as your broken tail light piece. If you live in a place that rains a lot, use a strong tape that can withstand a soaking like duct tape or heavy-duty packing tape. A roll of tape is less than $5 or free if you already have it.

Is there a fuse for each tail light?


On newer cars, the tail lamps can be fused separately and/or each bulb or shared circuit can be fused

. A fuse can be blown due to other problems, so you’ll need to check more than just the fuse, but it’s the right place to start. Look in your owner’s manual to determine where the fuse box is located in your car.

How much does it cost to fix a tail light fuse?

And finally, if you want to fix the fuse of the affected lights or change it, the average cost will amount from

$50 to $150

.

How do you find a short in a tail light wire?

Can you drive a car with a broken tail light?

While some police officers issue citations for broken taillights – which they can do, as

it is technically illegal to drive with a broken taillight

– most will probably just give you a warning and tell you to get it fixed as soon as you can. If you notice that your taillight is out, don’t try to test the system.

How do you replace a broken tail light cover?

Can I replace a brake light myself?

Changing a faulty brake light is something anyone can learn to do. A replacement bulb costs about $10, and

replacing it on your own will save about $20 in labor

and the time it takes to travel to the shop and wait for the work to be done.

How do you tell if a tail light bulb is burnt out?

Where is the fuse for the tail lights?

The tail light fuse may be located in

either the fuse panel in the front passenger side of your vehicle or in the main fuse box under the hood

. Once you’ve opened either the panel or the main fuse box, locate the tail light fuse. If you’re unsure which one it is, use the owner’s manual for guidance.

How do you check a tail light fuse?

Where is the fuse for the rear tail lights?

Like all fuses, the brake light system fuse can be found

in the power distribution center, which is under the dashboard or tucked away underneath the hood

. Never heard of the power distribution center? It’s just the technical name for a fuse box.

What kind of tape do you use for a broken tail light?

Patch Broken Taillight Covers

When a taillight or turn signal light cracks,

3M Lens Repair Tape

is the answer for a quick repair that will securely hold.

Can you use red duct tape on a tail light?


The red tape you mentioned is not an approved repair for tail light lens by the state of Texas

. So putting red tape on the crack is not repairing the vehicle. If you chose to do so, red tape should only be utilized as a temporary fix and not a repair.

Can you just replace tail light cover?


Most covers need to be installed before tail light bulbs can be reinstalled

. Installing or replacing tail light covers is also a good opportunity to replace any burnt-out bulbs.

Can a bad headlight switch cause tail lights not to work?

#5 – Control Switch Failure


Another cause for tail lights not turning on is the switch that controls them

. The head light switch on the dash can fail as well, and should be checked of everything else has checked out good.

Why do I have tail lights but no brake lights?

Why is that? The most common reason your brake lights are not working but tail lights do is a

bad light bulb

. It can also be caused by a blown fuse, bad brake light switch, or issues with the wirings. Your vehicle’s taillights are working fine, but the brake lights don’t come on when you press the brakes.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.