Headlights Turning On and Off by Themselves - What's Wrong?

Have your car's headlights behaved as though they possess a mind of their own? Do not worry. Your vehicle is not haunted. Many drivers have experienced and solved this pesky problem.

Electrical gremlins highlights

• Level of urgency:medium
• DIY inspection:impossible
• DIY repair:impossible
• Can you drive?yes
• Price for repairs:$0 - $300
• Symptoms:glitch, unusual behavior, temporary problem
• Ways to solve:check the battery voltage, check wiring and connections, take it to a professional mechanic

Common Causes of Headlights Switching On and Off By Themselves

Multiple reasons could cause headlights to turn on and off by themselves. The following are some of the probable causes of this behavior:

• A damaged fuse
• A broken switch
• Damaged headlight relay
• Faulty wiring
• A damaged bulb

Here is what you should do when you are driving, and your headlights go out:

• Try switching between modes with the dimmer switch
• If no change is observed, try using other lights to indicate your position on the road
• Find a safe parking spot and call for assistance

Since there are several causes of this problem, it is advised that you first should find the source of the problem and fix the issue. If you want to be sure of the cause, you should take your car to a qualified mechanic to diagnose and repair the problem. This article will give you information about the common causes and how to fix them.

When your headlights are always on dim

Several reasons your car's headlights suddenly dim include fog lenses, power sources, and old bulbs. If the problem is constant, the problem may be because of an old bulb or fog lenses. You are required to replace the old bulb or clean the fogged lenses.

If your lights dim during certain conditions, most likely, the issue is with the charging system. It would be best if you took it to the local repair shop for a check-up.

When You Have a Damaged Relay Switch

When your vehicle's relay switch is damaged, this may lead to the headlights frequently going on and off. The problem with the switch may be lousy wiring problems in the headlight, causing your lights to act in that manner. Ensure the complete light assembly has no issues with the bulbs and sockets.

How To Find Out If Your Headlight Relay Is Damaged?

Whenever your car operates with a damaged relay switch, there can be several reasons and symptoms for this problem. The following are the symptoms of a faulty headlight relay.

• The headlight does not turn on; you should suspect the headlight relay may be broken when your vehicle doesn't turn on. Keep in mind that when the relay is corroded and dirty, it will not manage to transmit the power to the light unit.
• When your headlight doesn't turn off, it is frustrating to switch the lights out, and they remain on. It is a bad problem since it drains your car's battery when you don't need the headlights.

When your car starts exhibiting such symptoms, please take it to your local mechanic to have a look at the problem.

How To Fix a Damaged Headlight Relay?

It is common for the relay to be the reason for a malfunctioning headlight. With that said and done, if you are faced with this problem and confirm that the relay is the leading cause, it's time to repair the issue. Below are steps that you should take to correct a damaged relay to fix the problem:

• You first begin by locating the relay. After finding it, look for the fuse box and ensure it's not present.
• You should then open the fuse box and get to the headlight relay. The relay is a rectangular box with three wires.
• The next step is replacing the old fuse box and replacing it.
• Slowly pull out the wires to remove the old relay from the fusebox.
• Remember to remove the wires from the connector.
• When connecting the new relay with the wires back to its place, ensure all cables are connected correctly. Failure to do that may damage your car.
• Finally, you should re-install the new headlight relay to a power source. With all that done, you will have successfully repaired your headlight relay.

When You Have a Broken Headlight Switch

When you confirm that the relay switch is not the cause of the problem, you should look at the headlight switch. For this switch to be the root cause of the problem, it can be due to the switch being damaged or out of order. When either affects the switch, your lights will blink on and off irregularly; if you want to test and see whether it is the switch, you must plug it on and off in the socket.

Some noticeable signs of a broken switch include:

1. Problems when selecting different modes

The car comes with different lighting modes: fog lights, low/high beams, daytime lights, and parking lights. When the switch is damaged, there is trouble in selecting between one or all of the modes. This causes the lights to behave erratically and may limit the driver's visibility.

2. Problems with high beams

This mode of lighting is used when there are no oncoming vehicles and when you are at high speeds. When the switch is malfunctioning, the high beam is often used. You should make sure that you take your vehicle for diagnosis.

3. When lights don't go on

Current traveling to the bulbs may be prevented by a faulty switch that prevents them from turning on. Lack of lights when on a poor road can be dangerous to the passengers.

It is easy to spot problems associated with a faulty switch since they affect most lighting components.

When You Have a Damaged Fuse

Another primary reason for your headlights to go on and off is because of a faulty fuse. You should then inspect the fuse, and if it is damaged, you should replace it. When there is a power overload, the switch will appear burnt. Remember also to inspect and ensure the switch is not broken for you to deal with this problem.

When The Bulb Is Damaged

Have you been struggling to travel at night because of your headlight's behavior? While driving, you may notice that your headlights are either not working or misbehaving. The following are the reasons that can lead to this behavior; a faulty wiring connection within the bulb or a burned-out bulb.

First, you should diagnose, and if you find it is the cause, you go ahead and fix this problem. You can perform tests for you to confirm your situation with other means.

Bulbs can be faulty after a long time, and they can cause similar symptoms when they are about to be damaged. You should constantly inspect them when you suspect they may be damaged and replace them with recommended bulbs.

When you have problems with your ignition system

The ignition system has a significant role in maintaining a steady power supply required for the optimum operation of the vehicle. When the ignition system is damaged, the motor may stop instantly, which might be very scary.

When parts like the alternator are damaged, the lights will go off while driving. The reason behind this is that the alternator is responsible for maintaining a constant stream of current, and when it is damaged, it fails to do its job.

A Faulty Wiring Connection

Does your car have a faulty wiring connection? This may be a bad sign since this may lead to a voltage problem resulting in your lights overheating. When the lights overheat, it may result in your headlights failing to work whenever you switch them on.

Another problem that is affected by faulty wiring is there could be a malfunction in the housing. When this happens, it leads to airflow issues and high power consumption rates.

Is Your Low Beam Light Turning Itself Off?

Low beams are used when driving in dim environments or at night. They tilt to the ground to avoid blinding other drivers and have a short range. The reasons for your headlight beam turning itself off are:

• A damaged headlight bulb
• A damaged housing
• A broken high switch
• A loose relay

Problems And Solutions for Your Low Beam Light Malfunction

• A bulb that is not installed correctly; when you replace the bulb, and the issues persist, it may be because of improper installation of the bulb.
• A loose headlight housing; the headlight housing unit can be affected by the car's age and heat. When you fail to inspect to see the state in which the housing is, it may cause issues.
• When there is no tension in assembly; when the assembly has no tension, the system stays loose and lacks the support it requires. Your lights may even fall off at some point, which may cause its malfunction.
• Temperature problems or leaks; the bulb may start dripping or melting when facing temperature issues. If there is the presence of leaks, corrosion may occur, leading to damaged housing.

Conclusion

Whenever your vehicle experiences difficulties with the headlights, you need to remain calm and ensure that your car is visible by turning on other lights. This is crucial for the safety of your passengers and your vehicle.

Because it is clear there are many sources of this problem, you should call for assistance if you can't identify the root cause of the issue. Ensure that the spares installed into your car are the required standards to avoid future problems.