the Lights of the Car Illuminate Little, Why?

Night driving is inherently more dangerous than daytime travel. Despite the artificial light offered by street lamps and car headlights, darkness can hide hazards on the road, such as pedestrians and nocturnal creatures. And driving after sunset becomes even more challenging when car headlights dim . If you notice the lights suddenly dimming or the brightness fluctuating, there is a problem.


The purpose of car headlights is, obviously, to help us see the road in low visibility conditions or at night. However, they also allow us to be seen by other drivers as a warning signal, which is why day ones have to be worn . That is why we must always keep their condition in optimal conditions, check that they illuminate correctly, and above all, that they work whenever we need them.


Headlight Basics


Since you'll be used to changing light bulbs around the house when they stop emitting light, you can assume the same solution will work in your car. Changing your headlight bulbs can solve the problem, yes, but should it be the first step you should take? There are a variety of problems that can cause your headlights to not shine well enough, and understanding how your headlights work helps you understand the reasons better.


A car's headlights are powered by the car's battery when the car is turned off. After starting, the drive starts to provide power for all electrical systems, including battery charging. The alternator carries power from the engine to the vehicle's electrical components. The headlights are connected to the block via a wiring harness and grounded to the chassis. There can be no interruption of flow in this electrical circuit.


In fact, any fault can cause the lights to dim or go out completely. It is important to note that headlight bulbs are usually either on or off, not halfway . If they're still okay, they should light up all the way. If they break, they won't shine at all. If yours offer a poor beam of light, they may not be the source of your problem. You will need to look elsewhere for the underlying cause of the problem. Now, why could it motivate a low delivery? Continue reading to find out.


Why can the headlights give little light?


Worn outer shell


Modern headlights have a clear plastic cover over the headlights to protect the bulbs (or LED diodes) from damage. Over time, this plastic can turn yellow with exposure to sunlight. Pebbles, dirt, and other road debris can scratch the surface of the plastic and make it appear white or cloudy. This discoloration darkens the lens and inhibits the passage of light, or what is the same, the pilots can illuminate little, even if they are working correctly.


You can often extend the life of the shell by using a headlight restoration kit from a DIY store, which polishes away blemishes to return the plastic to its clear condition. Many auto repair shops offer headlight restoration services for those who want to avoid DIY projects. Keep in mind that the benefit of polishing a headlight is temporary, and they may need to be replaced in the future.


discolored light bulb


Most car headlights come from the factory with halogen bulbs . Over time, the gas inside them gradually creates a film inside the glass. If your headlight bulbs look dark, gas has likely built up inside the bulb, preventing light from escaping. Unfortunately, the only way to fix this problem is to replace the bulbs , which can be very cheap and easy on an older vehicle, but expensive and tedious on a newer one.


Fault in the electrical wiring


The cable that connects the headlights to the chassis is vital. This ground wire is part of the circuit that allows electricity to flow to them, providing power. If the cable becomes damaged or inhibited by dirt or corrosion, electricity cannot flow freely . Therefore, the headlights will receive less energy and will shine less brightly. The flow of electricity can be completely cut off, causing the headlights to turn off, even though they are still in good working order.


Solving this problem involves replacing the ground wire. The cable is not an expensive part, but it will take some time for your favorite mechanic to replace it. Most of the cost of this repair will be labor , not parts.


faulty alternator


A working alternator is not only responsible for maintaining the proper brightness of the headlights, but also provides the relevant electrical power for all of the car's functions . The power steering, windshield wipers, radio, power windows, and dashboard instruments all need electricity to work. The alternator takes power from the engine and converts it into usable electricity to power all of these different components.


When the alternator fails, it stops supplying power. When that time comes, the battery must cover the electrical needs of the entire vehicle, but they are not designed to provide as much power. That means that the needs of the car will quickly drain the battery leaving you stranded on the side of the road. How can you tell if the alternator is working? Pay attention to the headlights when starting, they should not dim or waver in their beam at first contact. If they do (or you perceive other of these symptoms), bad.


Worn alternator korea


Headlights that seem to dim at random intervals may indicate that the alternator belt needs changing. This belt connects to a pulley that integrates the alternator to the engine. If the strap is old and worn, it can both slip and grab . In the first case, the headlights lose power, which makes them give little light. When the belt grabs the pulley again, the headlights get more power and get brighter. These belts wear out, and a mechanic can check their condition and make any necessary repairs.


Wrong headlight height


The range of the headlight beam is likely to be very short because they are pointed at the ground. Otherwise, if they're too high, other drivers will blast you when you're wearing them. In this case, if your car has halogen headlights, it is possible that the height adjustment of the headlight is not correct , while the xenon and LED headlights include automatic height adjustment.


The solution is to adapt the height of the headlights to the load carried by the vehicle. In general, all models include a control on the dashboard that allows adjusting the height of the headlights, usually on a dial with a marking from 0 to 3. The "normal" thing is to choose position "0" when only the front seats are occupied, “1” when all the seats are occupied, “2” with passengers in all seats and cargo in the boot, and “3” only when the driver is driving and the boot is fully loaded.


Unfortunately, dim headlights aren't a problem most drivers notice until they need them. Driving at night with little more than a couple of flashlights can be really dangerous. If your headlights aren't shining as they should, it's time to investigate the usual suspects, identify the culprit, and fix the problem.