Rear light: common defects and their signs

1. Defect of the electrical circuit.
   • None of the rear lighting elements is on.
   • The reversing light works incorrectly; for example, it doesn’t turn off after reverse gear switching off.
2. Terminals oxidation.
   • Light of the rear lamp got dimmer.
   • The rear stop light is blinking during driving.
3. Rear light body depressurization. It is indicated by turbidity of the rear light lens and reflector.
4. Bulbs blowing-out. It is easily detected by the following: one of the rear optic elements doesn’t turn on; for example, the reversing light.

How to repair or replace rear light?

Repair of this component usually involves rear light body demounting, cleaning of the lens, applying of a new sealing compound, as well as cleaning of oxidized terminals and replacement of blown out bulbs. In case if these actions didn’t help, it is recommended to diagnose the car at a service station because the problem can lie in the relay or electrical circuit breakage, which is difficult to find out by yourself.

In order to replace the blown out bulb, you need to demount the luggage compartment trimming partially, remove rear cover of the light, remove the rear sidelight bulb or other defective bulb from the holder, and replace it with a new one; then you should reassemble everything in the reversed order. In some car models you need to remove the rear light body from its housing and release the lamp holder fasteners on its back side, in order to get access to the bulb.

In some cases, such as road accidents, replacement of the whole rear light unit can be necessary. To replace it, you need to partially remove the luggage compartment trimming, disconnect the wire harness connector from the light connector, and unscrew the bolt which fixes the light body to the car body, then remove the defective component.

In order to ensure the further correct operation of the car optics, you should adhere to some recommendations. First, replace the rear left light together with the rear right light: so you will have equal light beams on both sides. Second, if you demounted the lens, then, before installing it, you should treat its edges with special sealing compound: this will prevent ingress of dust and moisture into the inner space of the light.

It is recommended to perform rear light replacement at a service station.

Types:

1. By mounting side:
   • left;
   • right.
2. By mounting location in the unit:
   • inner;
   • outer.
3. By lighting source:
   • with incandescent lamps;
   • with LEDs.
4. By design:
   • reflector-type;
   • projector-type;
   • combined.