Automobile Lighting System Troubleshooting

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The following are the main Automobile Lighting System Troubleshooting experienced in the lighting system of an automobile. A few examples of this trouble are given here. Example No light, Dim light, Lamplight but gradually fade out. Here also we had included trends for automotive lighting.

  1. No light | Automobile Lighting System Troubleshooting

This may be due to the following reasons:

  • Blown-up the fuse. If this is found to be the reason, then before replacement the basic cause of the blowing up (which may be a short-circuit somewhere) must be determined and remedied first. Otherwise, the fuse will continue to be blown up.
  • The lighting switches not making proper contact. If found defective, the switch should be replaced.
  • The battery may be disconnected or the circuit may be broken elsewhere. The circuit should be checked and the defect if any remedied accordingly.

  1. Dim Light | Automobile Lighting System Troubleshooting

This may be due to any one or more of the following:

  • The battery may be discharged. Test the same and recharge if necessary.
  • The bulbs may be for a voltage higher than the specified one or maybe otherwise of poor quality. In such a case the same should be replaced.
  • Reflectors of lenses may be dirty, which may be cleaned at once.
  • Bad contacts at terminals which should be properly cleaned.
  • Bad contacts in the switches. In this case, the switch should be replaced.

  1. Lamps light, but gradually fade out | Automobile Lighting System Troubleshooting

This may, most probably, be due to a discharged battery which may be recharged.

  • Lights flickering This is usually due to a loose connection, which may be inspected and tightened properly.
  • Frequent burning out of the bulbs
  • The battery voltage may be excessive, which should be properly checked and remedied if required.
  • The bulb may be for a voltage lower than the specified one or maybe otherwise of poor quality. In such a case the same as a job to be replaced with one of proper voltage and good quality.

automobile-light-system-troubleshooting

TRENDS FOR AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING

The double filament type headlamps got a better competitor in the late 1980s in the form of Xenon bulbs, which use plasma as a light source and serve both the low-beam and high-beam functions. In 2004, the first LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) were used in headlight modules as turn signals.

When a forward voltage is applied to the LED, it emits light from the semiconductor material. The color of the light depends upon the gap between the valance and the conduction band. Yellow light is produced when aluminum indium gallium phosphide (AlInGaP) is used as the base material. White light may be produced in LEDs when combined with phosphor. Thus, a diode made of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) produces white light, which is in fact, a mixture of blue and yellow light. The advantages of LED lighting are:

  1. Unlimited life compared to that of the vehicle itself, due to the absence of any mechanical wear. Due to this new possibilities for the design of lights and thus of the vehicle front emerge since these lights do not to be accessed for servicing and bulb replacement.
  2. Power consumption is only 30% of the conventional lights.
  3. Only 30% CO2 (1 gm/km) is generated compared to the conventional lights (3.4 gm/km).
  4. Easier modulation, electronically.

Their disadvantage is the higher initial cost.

Audi R8 is the first car using only LEDs as a light source.

Considering overall, xenon light is better for nighttime visibility. However, LEDs are much superior regarding their potential for styling and lifetime, which means both these systems shall be in use shortly.

The next-generation system of lighting will be glare-free, i.e. a headlamp which would be able to

prevent the light from glaring at oncoming drivers and passengers even when the vehicle is driven with a high beam. For this LED arrays are the best choice.

Check out other automobile troubleshooting tutorials posted on bestengineeringprojects.com

  1. Gearbox Troubleshooting
  2. Automobile Clutch Troubleshooting
  3. Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting
  4. Wheel and Tyre Trouble Shooting
  5. Precaution Regarding Automobile Tyres
  6. Brake Troubleshooting
  7. Automobile Steering Troubleshooting

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