Expert Mechanics in Plano Will Fix Your Audi’s Failed Tail Lights
by europewpadmin February 12, 2021Audis have become one of the most popular European vehicles on the road today. As an Audi owner, you’ve probably discovered driving has never been more enjoyable. The last thing you want to happen while driving your Audi is to get pulled over by a police officer and being cited with an expensive ticket for a failed tail light.
Many modern cars have a sensor that automatically turns their tail lights on, and you may be so accustomed to your tail lights turning on by themselves that you overlook taking the time to check if they are in working order and don’t realize there’s a problem until it’s too late. Let’s dig into the signs of a failed tail light and where to go when your tail lights are failing.
Signs of A Failed Tail Light
If you notice any of the following signs of a failed tail light, take your vehicle in to your trusted mechanic as soon as possible.
- Tail Lights Don’t Turn On: The most obvious sign something is amiss with your tail lights is when they simply do not turn on. This is usually caused by a burned out or short-circuited tail lamp bulb. In order to prevent finding out about a burned-out tail light the hard way when a police officer pulls you over, check your tail lights once a week to ensure everything is good and well with your bulbs. Just start your car at night, turn on your headlights, leave your car in park, and walk to the rear of your vehicle to ensure both lights are on. If you notice a burned-out bulb, a mechanic can replace this for you easily.
- Brake Light Doesn’t Work: Another sign your tail lights are failing is a burned-out bulb in your rear brake lights. Again, this is something you’ll want to check on a weekly basis. You can have a family member help you check to ensure your brake lights pop on when you push down on the brake pedal.
If the parking lights work, but the brake light does not work when pressed, it is time to have the tail lamp bulb replaced. In some cases, you may find the parking lights work, but when you press down on the brake pedal, the tail lamp bulb turns off completely.This could be caused by a short in the tail light system or a fuse, and you’ll want to take your vehicle in for an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible.
- Socket Failure: If you’re dealing with tail light problems, but the bulb and fuse both seem okay, your problem may be attributed to socket failure. The socket the bulb gets plugged into can go bad, usually as the result of corrosion, as moisture can enter into the socket. The poor connection causes the tail light to fail.
- Worn Out Wiring: You may be dealing with worn out wiring if there is no electrical current reaching the socket, but the fuses appear to be functioning. A dirty, loose, or broken ground wire will cause an electrical failure to the sockets as well.
- Control Switch Failure: The problem may be that the control switch that turns your lights on and off has failed.
- Dirty or Bad Ambient Light Sensor: Many modern cars have an ambient light sensor on the dash that allows the vehicle’s computer to automatically turn on your car’s lights. If the sensor is dirty or goes bad, it cannot do its job, and therefore, cannot tell when it is light or dark outside. In this case, your tail lights won’t turn on.
European Auto Tech Can Help
Don’t wait until a police officer pulls you over to find out your tail lights have failed. Preventative maintenance is 
your best bet against failed tail lights, so bring your Audi in to European Auto Tech.
We proudly service the Allen, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, Highland Park, McKinney, Park Cities, Richardson, Southlake, University Park, and Plano, Texas areas. Our highly-skilled mechanics can spot and diagnose tail light failure before it happens while you’re on the road.
Call us today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to earning your trust and your patronage.