Headlights Won’t Turn On
Auto Parts,  Cars

My Headlights Won’t Turn On! What Should I Do?

There are certain times when the headlights of the car won’t turn on at all. The very first thing that clicks the mind of the user when something like this happens is to stop the car, remove the keys and start it again.

There are times that the headlights of the car still won’t get turn on. When something like this happens, the user or the driver has to remember that there is no point in panicking. Instead, they need to think smartly and get a solution to the problem.

There are certain ways or techniques that one can try to turn on the headlights of the car, and if nothing works then as the last option, they have to take the car to a mechanic.

Before one starts panicking, it is not only important to think of smart ideas to get out of the problem, but it is equally important to know about the reasons behind the problem. In the blog below, there is a mention about everything one needs to know when the headlights of their car won’t turn on.


What causes the Headlights to Stay Off?

According to many people, headlights are the most complicated part of the car. As per the reports, the headlights are very easy to handle if the right diagnosis is made at the right time. In fact, in the new cars, there are adaptive headlights that do not have many failures.

my headlights won't turn on

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There are certain reasons that are responsible for the headlights not turning on. Some of the major reasons behind this are as below:

  • Headlight switch
  • Multifunction switch
  • Daytime running light module
  • Light sensor
  • Relay

A solution of problems causing the headlights not turning on

1. Daytime Running Light Module

There are cars that have the daylight running light modules in them that help in turning on the headlights automatically. If this system fails, then there are chances of the headlights not turning on. If this is the case, then you have to try to set the parking brakes again and check whether the headlights turn on or off.

This is because the parking brakes help in disabling the daytime running lights. If this is the exact case with your headlights of the car, then the only thing you can do is to remove the daytime running light module. By removing the daytime light module, there are high chances that your headlights of the car will turn on automatically again.

2. Bad Relay

my headlights won't turn on

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If your headlights of the car won’t turn at all even if you remove the daytime running module, then you can try inspecting the relay inside the headlights. To inspect the relay is very much easy as there are many circuits that share the same type of relay.

If this happens to you, then you have to remove the headlight relay and then swap it with a better headlight relay. If you do so, there are high chances that your headlights will turn on again. If the relay is in bad condition, then you just have to change the headlights relay, and they will turn on again.

3. Multifunction Switch

If the headlights of the car do not turn on even after changing the headlight relay, then there are chances that there is a possibility of a multifunction switch or bad headlight switch. To inspect and diagnose the multifunction switch problem is difficult in comparison to other failures.

You can simply check and inspect this particular failure by the removal of the component and check if there is any other physical damage.

For instance, if the headlight of the car gets short internally there are chances that the switch gets hot enough to either crack or meltdown. Also, the bad headlight switch getting short there are chances that the plastic housing will burn down or the electrical connections will burn down.

There are many possibilities that you will not be able to recognize the failure of the multifunction switch. If you are not able to inspect this failure, then the best thing that you can do is to disable the headlights. For disabling the headlights, you just have to disconnect the battery, or you can even remove the fuse that is there inside the headlight of the car.

4. Burning of Wires

my headlights won't turn on

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Also, there is a possibility that the wires that connect the headlights of the car to the main battery of the car start burning. This means that if the connecting wires either start burning or there is a loose connection in between the circuit then there are full chances that the headlights of the car won’t turn on.

In this case, the first step that you have to perform is to check out the connecting wires. If there is a loose connection or burning of wires, then you have to disconnect those wires and replace them with brand new wires. If the replacement of the wires is not done on time, then there are chances of a short circuit between the wires, which might lead to excess smoke in the bonnet of the car. It might also result in excessive heat inside the car that will be harmful to the people sitting inside the car and the engine of the car.

Lastly, if the headlights of the car won’t still get turn on even after checking out for every possibility and diagnosing every failure then you just have the last option. As the last option, you have to take your car to the nearest mechanic and leave your car there for proper repair.

There are many possibilities that lead to the headlights of the car not turning on. It is important to learn about what leads to the headlights not turning on and what is the exact solution of the problem.

Even after multiple attempts and inspecting every failure with proper care, the headlights of the car do not turn on then you have to visit the nearest mechanic. It is also a good idea if you wish to invest in socket organizers. In the blog above there is a mention about every small detail that every driver has to know before he starts driving.