A brake light is mandatory since it alerts other motorists that they should slow down their vehicles accordingly. The troubleshooting of car brake lights is quite usual because the system is based on a simple circuit i.e. brake light switch, wiring and bulb.
Also, car brake lights and tail lights are vital to your and other motorists’ safety. Therefore, it is important to ensure that they are in proper working condition.
If your vehicle has a broken brake light then here’s to tell you how to fix it. before that, let us elaborate on the functions of a car brake light.
How do Brake Lights Work
A car’s brake lights are located on the rear side. They are red and are used to notify drivers behind the car that brakes are applied. The brake lights operate automatically. When you press the brake pedal or an emergency braking system engages, a switch transmits an electrical signal to a control unit which triggers the ignition of the brake lights.
How to Fix a Brake Light Bulb
Changing the brake light bulb is a simple task that you can do yourself to save on your car maintenance cost. Read on to find our step-by-step guide about how to change a brake light bulb without going to a garage.
Required material:
You only need the following equipment to fix a brake light.
- Protective gloves
- Protective glasses
- New bulb
Step 1: Identify the faulty brake light
First of all, start by turning on your brake lights and check which bulb is faulty. Do not hesitate to ask someone close to you to get in the car and press the brake pedal so that you can see the bulb. If the light is not turning on, then it’s time to replace it.
Step 2: Disconnect the battery
disconnect one of the terminals of your battery to prevent any risk of electrocution while you change the brake light bulb.
Step 3: Remove the brake light bulb
- When your battery is disconnected, you can now perform the following steps: open the trunk to access the taillights. The brake light housing is usually attached with screws on the side and inside the cargo space.
- remove the bulb holder, which is usually attached with a tab or with a screw. In some cases, you may or may not have to remove the entire head.
- Once you have removed the bulb holder, remove the bulb by turning it anticlockwise. In some cases, it may be necessary to press and then rotate it.
Step 4: Fit the new brake light bulb
Replace the brake light bulb with a new bulb. Reconnect all electrical wires and the battery. Also, make sure the bulb and holder are firmly attached to the mount.
Step 5: Check the operation of the brake lights
Once the brake light bulb is changed, check all your car lights are operational. Start the car and hit the brake pedal to see if the bulb is working properly.
These are some of the easy-to-follow steps to fix a brake light. follow the owner’s manual in case you get stuck somewhere. Ignoring these minor repairs can cause significant issues and create serious discomfort while driving at night. This is why it is important to have headlights and taillights in proper working condition to avoid road accidents.
Besides, you can also replace taillights by following the mentioned steps.
Brake Light Replacement Cost
The cost of a car brake light depends on the size and model of the vehicle. However, the price of a car brake light starts from AED 50 in the UAE. You can find car brake lights and other car accessories in the UAE from here. As far as brake light replacement cost is concerned, it is not higher if you are going to change it at home.
Signs of Bad Brake Lights
Several symptoms may indicate a car brake problem or brake lights’ failure:
- The brake lights flash with the turn signals: It can be a bad contact or a ground problem. Check the wirings and connection of your car headlights. Also, clean the connectors with a brush to fix the problem
- The brake lights come on when you use the handbrake: It is possibly an electrical problem. Go for electronic diagnosis to a mechanic to identify the cause of the problem.
- The brake lights stay on: If you see this sign, there might be a problem with the brake switch. Change your brake switch to solve the problem. Besides, your brake warning lights help you in detecting the issue.
- All the brake lights no longer light up: In such a scenario, the brake switch or the fuses are not operating properly. Start by changing the fuses; if the problem persists you will certainly have to change the brake light switch.
- A single brake light no longer works: The problem is probably a burnt-out bulb. All you have to do is change the bulb.
These are some of the signs indicating that its time for car brake repair
In case you aren’t sure about performing this task, consult a professional technician. In case your car brakes fail while driving, stay calm and follow these tips.
Besides brake lights, if your vehicle needs major and expensive car repairs, for instance, an engine rebuild then it is better to replace it. You can browse these used cars for sale in the UAE and buy the one that fits in your budget and requirements.
Stay in touch with the UAE’s leading car blog for more tips to fix minor issues.
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