Lights are an important part of a car, if not the most important. So, when the lights are dimming, driving becomes uncomfortable, even tends to be dangerous. Over time, headlights will lose their brightness.

When the headlight is dim, the visibility becomes disturbed so the chance for an accident becomes greater. Caring for your car's headlights is just as important as taking care of other car components like the wheels, or even the engine.

Just before rushing to fix the dim headlights, it's a good idea to first know the cause of dim lights before taking any further steps.

Causes of Dim Headlight

Lights play an important role to illuminate the road when it is dark, especially at night. But when the lights suddenly dim, there are various problems that could arise. But what is the cause of dim headlight?

1. Blown Fuse

The fuse is an important component in the car's electrical network to prevent short circuits. If the cable is peeled off due to wear, the fuse is cutting off the power so it doesn't electrocute.

When the fuse blows, the headlights don't just dim, they turn off. A blown fuse can be caused by an overloaded network. The solution is to find a dead fuse and replace it with a new one.

2. Voltage Difference

Each lamp is designed for a specific task, and choosing the wrong type can trigger several conditions such as short circuiting, dimming, and more.

Using a small voltage lamp for the headlight is clearly not recommended due to the voltage difference, even with the same brand and shape. The light emitted will not be as strong as a high voltage lamp.

Read More: What are DRL Lamp Functions and How Do They Work?

3. Broken Relay

There is a relay component that is useful for changing the current. Relays are basically automatic electrical switches. Broken relay can be the cause of dim headlight. Damaged relays not only reduce comfort, but can actually be dangerous.

4. Low Quality Bulb

Even if you want to save money for any reason, you should not replace your headlights with low-quality bulbs. It didn't take long for the bulb to dim before it finally damaged. Even using original bulbs may experience the same problem if being used without proper way.

5. Dirty Reflector

Among the causes of dim headlight are dirty or damaged reflectors. Reflectors play an important role in spreading the light. If the lamp is still in good condition, it is very possible that the reflector has a problem.

When the reflector is dirty, it must be cleaned inside and out using a special cleaner. If the reflector is damaged or broken, replacing a new one is a must.

6. Loose Cables and Sockets

A car's electrical system is not something that is easy to understand because it has various components such as cables, sockets, indicators, and others. Especially for headlights, the cable is positioned against the body, commonly called the ground cable.

Due to vibration or impact, the cable and the socket are loose. As a result, the headlights are dim and often trigger a short circuit. So, check each cable path and provide a thorough repair so this condition does not happen again.

How to fix Dim Headlight

By knowing the cause for the dim headlight, new treatments can be implemented. Given its function, quick handling must be done immediately so that potential accidents can be avoided.

1. Use a Bulb According to Specs

Check if the bulb you are currently using is according to the recommended specs. To find out, open the manual book and look in the headlight section. Another trick, look back at the old default bulb, or ask directly to the authorized repair shop.

Replace the bulb according to the specs and avoid buying fake bulbs even if they look exactly the same.

2. Replace the Relay

Replace the relay immediately if the dim headlight comes from it. Just before replacing, try to shake the cable. If the light turns back on after the wires are shaken, the problem could be the loose wires. But if the light doesn't turn on, replace the relay with a new one.

3. Change the Fuse

If the check shows a faulty fuse, it must be to replace it. But before replacing, try winding two copper wires into the terminals then plug the fuse and turn on the light. This trick is great to find out if a fuse is still working or not, and replace it immediately.

4. Replace the Cable or Socket

Broken sockets or cables can no longer be repaired. The solution is to replace the cable or socket with a new one to make it normal. Even if the cable breaks, it is best not to reconnect it. Replace with a new one to prevent a short circuit.

5. Clean the Reflector

Cleaning the reflector is a must so the lighting system remains optimal in dark conditions. Even it seems easy, taking care of the reflector is important to keep the lighting system at its maximum.

Over time, dust will settle on the reflector, dimming the light. Apart from dust and dirt, moisture is often a common cause of foggy reflectors. Cleaning the reflector will ensure the light spreads. Mishandling will only make the reflector dull or scratched which further dims the lights.