One of the prime components of a vehicle is its lights. The lights are what provide safety to the vehicle and caution to the other drivers.
Although we think of the brake lights most often, the taillights also known as the rear lights or parking lights are equally important.
As with all lighting systems, they also require wiring. The wiring for tail lights is fairly basic, much like any other electrical equipment.
And the wiring of tail lights, if damaged, can prove to be extremely dangerous for the driver of the vehicle as well as other people on the road. It should therefore always be active. But how much does it cost to fix tail light wiring?
Today we’ll talk about that and a lot more.
Common Features of Tail Lights?
Tail The lights at the rear of a vehicle are called rear lights. The primary function of these lights is to display the rear side of the vehicle in order to give the drivers an idea of its dimensions, such as shape, size, etc. This is especially useful when there is low visibility.
There are several common features to tail lights.
- Automation: Tail lights are automatically turned on with the headlights. This is due to an automatic sensor.
- Safety: Tailor rear lights are also known as rear fog lights because they allow other vehicles to observe the particular vehicle in rain, snow, or fog. These lights act as safety features.
- Color: Tail lights are usually red, although not as luminous as the brake lights. These lights also have white-colored additional lights.
All about Tail Light Wiring
Now there are different types of tail lights available in the market. But whether they are LED lights or Halogen lights – every type of light requires wiring to be installed.
Now according to different brands, the color of wire coating changes. However, the standard color of wire that connects to the tail or parking lights is brown.
Common Reasons for Tail Light Wiring Malfunction
Now that you have an idea about tail lights and their wiring, here is an insight into some of the common reasons that cause tail light wiring malfunction.
- Faulty Tail Light Fuse
Whenever any malfunction occurs in an electrical entity, the first thing you should inspect is the fuse. The main function of a fuse is to disintegrate when the current flowing through it becomes too high in voltage.
This protects the device from being damaged. A fuse box can be found in several places in a vehicle.
At first, you need to search these places to identify the respective fuse box. After identifying the actual fuse that controls the tail lights, you have to inspect it.
- Faulty Tail Light Bulbs
Another cause behind the damage of tail light wires is faulty light bulbs. It is the obvious next option to consider after the fuse. In this case, the filament of the bulb is closely needed to be inspected.
This is the part that produces the light radiance. There is a chance that the wires could have been damaged if light bulbs go out.
- Socket Failure
Another major cause of wire damage is socket failure. This happens when moisture enters the socket.
A poor connection of wires can also cause the socket to fail. So when socket failure occurs, it is to be noted that the wires might be in a poor state.
- Deterioration of Wiring
Broken or loose wiring is the most common cause of permanent or temporary wire damage. In this case, you need to match the condition of the wires with an actual wiring diagram and inspect if the wires are in their standard state or not.
How to Fix Tail Light How do you wire the tail light?
What is the best way to repair taillight wiring? Each guide will show you how to identify the cause of the problem.
- Step 1: Activating the Tail Lights
In this step, you have to observe if both the parking lights are disabled or only one of them is. You should check the vehicle fuse box if both lights are out of order.
- Step 2: Removal of Lens
After removing the lens of the defective bulb, replace the bulb with a functioning one. If the bulb does not function, you should check for power.
The problem area is determined by the current state of the power supply. The problem is in the connection if it is located in the socket. And if no power is found, you have to visually inspect the wire for the further outcome.
- Step 3: Installation of New Wire
When the power is found, shut the lights and install new wire by cutting off wire using a connector.
The first step is to cut the wire, then locate the socket for the parking light. Then, ensure that enough wire is left to install the new wire.
- Step 4: Finishing up
At this stage, all you have to do is connect the wires carefully and see if they are secured.
Finally, for inspection, you have to turn on the parking lights and observe if it is functioning or not.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Tail Light Wiring
Moving on to the main topic of this article, this is where it gets a little tricky. Even in cases where technicalities are not addressed, prices aren’t always constant.
However, it can be firmly stated that the costs of fixing tail light wiring by yourself are far less compared to the costs of getting it done by a professional mechanic.
According to different sources, the replacement price range of tail lights for all vehicles is between $81.00 to $110.00.
But if tail light wiring is fixed, there will be no need for you to change your entire bulb. This will solve the problem, and it will cost you less money.
There are different prices for different solutions. If you are to replace only a single defective bulb, the average cost will be $10 to $60, considering both the cost of the bulb and the labor.
If you plan to treat the problem by changing the socket, the average cost may be from $5 to $15. The cost of replacing the socket for an LED light will be much higher. 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.
It is to be noted that all these costs are approximations and are subject to any kind of variance.
Latoria Williams, the financial expert from 1F Cash Advance, says: “If you can’t afford auto repairs costs, there are many financial options. For example, you may want to consider getting an auto loan from another source such as a dealership or private lender who specializes in financing vehicles. Find more on: https://1firstcashadvance.org/
Why Should You Consider It?
So, now you know how much it does cost to fix tail light wiring. You’ve probably read that fixing taillight wiring is a tedious and costly task. So why would you want to consider it?
Well, it is because it concerns your safety as well as other people’s safety. Although you can compromise on quality and price, safety is not compromised. So, research well be vigilant when buying materials to fix tail light wiring, but do not avoid it by any means.
FAQ:
Q: What is tail light wiring?
A: Tail light wiring is the electrical system that connects the tail lights to the power source and the switch in your vehicle.
Q: How to wire a tail light correctly?
A: To wire a tail light correctly, you need to follow some steps, such as inspecting the wiring for any damage, connecting the wires to the appropriate ports on the tail light, attaching the tail light to the vehicle, connecting the positive wire to the power source, connecting the ground wire to the chassis, and testing the tail light for functionality.
Q: What are the common colors and functions of the tail light wires?
A: The common colors and functions of the tail light wires are red for the stop/tail light wire, which carries the power for the stop and tail lights; black for the tail light wire, which carries the power for the tail lights only; and black or green for the ground wire, which connects the tail light to the metal frame of the vehicle.
Q: How to troubleshoot a tail light that is not working?
A: If your tail light is not working, you can check for some possible causes, such as a blown fuse, a loose or broken wire, a faulty bulb, a bad switch, or a corroded socket.
