What causes a tail light to blink fast?
As a car owner, you may have noticed that your tail light blinks faster than usual. This can be a concerning issue, as it often indicates a problem that needs to be addressed. In this article, we will explore the common causes of a fast-blinking tail light and what you can do to resolve the issue.
Understanding the Basics
A tail light that blinks rapidly is typically a sign of a malfunction in the vehicle's lighting system. This can be due to several factors, and understanding these can help you diagnose the problem effectively.
Common Causes of Fast-Blinking Tail Lights
- Burnt Out Bulb: One of the most common reasons for a fast-blinking tail light is a burnt-out bulb. When one bulb fails, the electrical current is redirected to the remaining bulbs, causing them to blink faster.
- Faulty Wiring: Damaged or corroded wiring can disrupt the electrical flow, leading to irregular blinking patterns. This can be caused by wear and tear or exposure to moisture.
- Bad Ground Connection: A poor ground connection can cause electrical issues, including fast-blinking lights. Ensuring that the ground connections are clean and secure can often resolve this issue.
- Incorrect Bulb Type: Using the wrong type of bulb can also lead to fast blinking. Make sure to use bulbs that are compatible with your vehicle's specifications.
- Flasher Relay Issues: The flasher relay controls the blinking of the turn signals and tail lights. If it is malfunctioning, it can cause the lights to blink faster than normal.
Steps to Diagnose and Fix the Issue
If you are experiencing fast-blinking tail lights, here are some steps you can take to diagnose and potentially fix the problem:
- Check the tail light bulbs: Inspect each bulb to see if any are burnt out and replace them as necessary.
- Examine the wiring: Look for any visible signs of damage or corrosion in the wiring connected to the tail lights.
- Test the ground connection: Ensure that the ground connections are clean and securely attached.
- Verify bulb compatibility: Make sure that the bulbs installed are the correct type for your vehicle.
- Inspect the flasher relay: If all else fails, consider checking the flasher relay for any signs of malfunction.
Conclusion
Fast-blinking tail lights can be a simple fix or a sign of a more significant issue. By understanding the common causes and following the diagnostic steps outlined above, you can address the problem effectively. If you're unsure or uncomfortable performing these checks yourself, it's always best to consult a professional mechanic for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a tail light to flicker?
Loose or disconnected cables/wiring
Depending on your particular vehicle's onboard computer system, it may be especially sensitive to any ground connections that are not completely secured. Even wobbling bolts or other intermittent connections could be causing the flickering you're experiencing.
How to get rid of hyperflash?
To fix the hyper flash issue, you must place a resistor in line with the power circuit. There are three standard options to remedy the problem of hyper flash. You can get a cheap wire round resistor that usually comes in gold or green. It acts like a halogen bulb and produces extra resistance.
How do I stop my light from blinking?
How to Fix Flickering Lights
- Tightening the Lightbulbs.
- Fixing the Connection in Your Light Switches.
- Checking the Wiring in Your Fuse Box.
Why does my tail light blink fast?
This is an extremely common issue. The technical reason is higher circuit resistance on the rapid blinking side. And in turn the most common reason for the increace in resistance is simply a bad bulb. Most folks don't realize that there may be more than one bulb per side within the taillight housing.
Can you get pulled over for your blinker blinking fast?
You can be pulled over if the rapid flashing of your turn signal leads to confusion or unsafe driving, but it's worth noting that the fast blinking might only be on your dash and the actual signal light is burnt out. An officer might pull you over to inform you of the issue and ask you to remedy the situation.
What does it mean when your light blinks fast?
Fast flashing usually indicates that you have a burned out light bulb. Either the front flasher, the side flasher or the rear flasher is burned out on the side that is flashing fast - left side in your case. Replace the burned out bulb with the proper bulb and the fast flashing will stop.
Are flickering tail lights illegal?
In the U.S., laws still require that brake lights “shall be wired to be steady-burning.” The people who oversee the FMVSS must think less of human ability than their European counterparts; they're concerned that flashing brake lights would confuse people.
How to fix a blinker that blinks fast?
How To Fix a Fast-Blinking Turn Signal
- Check all wiring for damages.
- Clean turn signal components and surrounding areas.
- Change fuses.
- Test or replace the vehicle's battery.
- Replace bulbs.
How do I fix a hyper blinking turn signal?
When working properly. Some newer Vehicles will have two lights per side you will need one load resistor per light to correct the hyper flashing. In this instance.
What does blinking really fast mean?
Common causes of excessive blinking in adults include: Eye strain. Allergies. Dry eye. Eye injuries like corneal abrasion.
