Repairing Guides

how much does it cost to repair tail light

by Miss Eveline Champlin Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If your tail light bulb gets broken, it generally costs between $20-$100 for the repair. What is this? If it's the lens, the wiring, or a new tail light assembly altogether, the new price range for 2022 is between $200-$2000. The labor cost and the type of parts and equipment used ultimately determine the final price.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to fix a tail light?

If you were to hire a mechanic, the costs will depend on the situation. Again, if you just need to replace the bulb, but regardless of the circumstances, plan on spending anywhere from $140 to $250 to fix a broken tail light. YourMechanic.com says you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $141 to $208 if you were to use their search engine.

How much does a tail light cost?

Now, the price for a tail light bulb should be around 20 to 40 USD if you are going with a normal, standard brand. But if you want to add LED tail lights with energy-saving technologies and such, then you might have to pay somewhere between 100 USD to 300 USD. The price will also depend on your vehicle’s model. 2. Faulty Sockets

How to replace a broken tail light?

  • Remove the plastic tail light lens.
  • Turn the tail light over so you are looking at the inside.
  • Prepare the crack filler.
  • Shake the bottle extremely well.
  • Fill the syringe with the material, and then carefully fill in the crack using the syringe.

How do you replace tail light bulb?

Steps Download Article

  1. Open the rear hatchback door. Look directly behind the Taillight assembly for two plastic interior snap covers that have a small slit opening in them.
  2. Insert the flat head screwdriver into both covers. Gently pop each of them off. ...
  3. Remove the lower nut first. ...
  4. Remove the upper nut next. ...
  5. Get ready to remove the Taillight housing. ...
  6. Fully remove the Taillight. ...

More items...

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How much does it cost to replace a tail light bulb?

Changing a faulty brake light is something anyone can learn to do. A replacement bulb costs about $10, and replacing it on your own will save about $20 in labor and the time it takes to travel to the shop and wait for the work to be done.

How much does it cost to replace a tail light assembly?

Tail Light Replacement Cost If you decide to have a professional replace your tail light assembly, expect to pay anywhere from $200 to upwards of $500. The job can be even more costly if you have a high-end luxury or performance car.

Can I drive with a broken taillight?

It is against the law to drive with a broken tail light. All cars are required to have two working tail lights. In addition, all tail light lenses must be clear. And, they should be from the original car manufacturer and appear in good condition.

How easy is it to replace a tail light?

Fortunately, tail light bulb replacement isn't difficult and shouldn't take you more than 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Be aware that newer models may be a little more complicated than older ones, as there will be more wires to disconnect.

What does a tail light assembly include?

The Tail Light Assembly is the group of lights that are mounted on the rear-end of your vehicle. They consist of the tail-lights, brake-lights and the reversing lights. Each pair of lights serves a specific purpose for conspicuity during the night.

Does AutoZone change brake lights?

Brake Light Switch or Turn Signal Problems Inspect the connection to the switch and make sure there is no corrosion or damage, and then, a replacement switch can be installed, and purchased at your local AutoZone.

Can you replace just the tail light cover?

The plastic covers or "lenses" for the taillights are not sold separately. You will have to buy the entire taillight unit if you want to make that repair.

How do you fix a broken taillight?

If the filament in the bulb is broken or moves, replace it with a new bulb from an auto store. If the bulb is fine, check the fuse box under the hood or dashboard to see if the piece of metal inside the tail light fuse is broken. To replace a broken fuse, use a tweezer to pull out the old fuse and insert a new one.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Tail Light?

So, how much does it cost to fix a tail light? Well, the price for your particular vehicle depends on a few things. First of all, different vehicles have different lights; some LED while others are just regular bulbs. Check your owner’s manual before you purchase anything to see what kind your car uses.

What happens if you have a faulty tail light?

If a cop sees that you have a faulty tail light, they will normally pull you over. Often, it serves as a warning, but if you’re a repeat offender, you could be looking at a hefty fine for driving unsafely. Any time, day or night, you will need to have tail lights that work well when you stop, slow down, or turn.

Why do cars flash tail lights?

When a car is coming behind you, the flashing of your tail lights is a way for them to gauge whether you’re slowing down. This helps them decide whether to slow down too or keep coming up at their current speed. Your taillights are beneficial if you ever have to slam on your breaks, warning the person in from of you to slow down too.

Why do tail lights need to be lit up?

Apart from slowing down, your tail lights are responsible for lighting up when you need to switch lanes or make a complete turn in either direction. In this way, you won’t be cutting others off and swerving in and out of traffic without a fair heads up of your next move.

Why are taillights important?

Though you can’t see them, they give others around you an indication of what you’re doing on the road, including slowing down, turning, and switching lanes.

Why are my tail lights red?

These lights are housed near a lens that helps them reflect, giving them the bright red color that we see when we stop or slow down.

What goes over a tail light?

The plastic covering that goes over your tail light is screwed on with a few nuts and bolts. So, to access the lights and get to the bottom of the issue, your technician will likely need to unscrew the pieces and remove the plastic. Then, it’s as simple as:

How much does it cost to replace a tail light bulb?

If a bulb goes out on your tail light, it will cost around $20 to replace. If the assembly needs to be replaced costs vary greatly. If you go to a dealership or auto body shop for your new tail light assembly, you will pay anywhere between $200 to $2000 for each assembly. If you have a luxury car, you will pay even more than that.

What kind of bulbs do tail lights use?

A traditional tail light assembly will use mini bulbs. You should bear in mind that each vehicle is unique. It is important to review the specs of your vehicle and know that this is just a general guideline.

Which is better for repairs: auto body shops or dealerships?

Most people feel that auto body shops are the best option for repairs. They cost less than mechanics at a dealership and you can talk to them directly.

Can an ambient light sensor turn off daytime running lights?

Some ambient light sensors also switch off daytime running lights. If your brake lights turn on but your parking lights and headlights do not, there may be something wrong with the ambient light sensor.

Do brake lights work on different circuits?

Remember that brake lights and tail lights tend to work on different circuits. When tail lights are not working, you should have them fixed right away, they are a critical component of your car’s safety system. If you want to replace the tail lights yourself, you will need certain tools and a little bit of time.

How Much Does A Tail Light Repair Cost?

On the former side of things, lights will routinely burn out, just like the lights in your home. Bulbs, after all, have their own usable lifespan. Getting new bulbs is very straightforward, costing you no more than $20 or so each. Or, around $100 if you count extra labor fees. A bulb socket can be had for as little as $5 to $15.

How much does it cost to fix a tail light?

For most cars, you should be expecting a single tail light assembly replacement leaving you at most $500 lighter . Other cars, meanwhile may empty your wallet a lot more than that. Smaller problems like faulty individual parts, are thankfully quite cheap. Overall, though, lights are surprisingly an expensive and complex repair job, but one that’s made easier thanks to the fact that lights aren’t generally troublesome.

Why won't my tail light turn on?

This is how they’re able to steadily accept electricity. Thus, even if you have a perfectly good light bulb, a defective socket means that the lights still won’t turn on. Your sockets can fail for several reasons. The socket may have been wired incorrectly, or if the wiring inside has been damaged.

What is the lens on a car's tail light?

Often made of polycarbonate plastic – or sometimes glass, in older cars – the lens is what gives your lights its color. The bright white light shines through the red housing, culminating in tail lights that will be seen as red overall. It’s not just the tail lights, too. Your amber turn signals also have white bulbs underneath, reflecting through orangey plastic lens covers. The entire thing is then encased in the tail light assembly. Here, you can find shiny reflectors to help amplify and direct the lights.

Why are my tail lights turning yellow?

In effect, your lights aren’t able to illuminate as brightly as they once did, or they might have a slightly dark or yellowish hue to them. The foggy effect is caused by the plastic cover getting exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Why aren't my tail lights illuminating?

It’s worthwhile to take the bulb out of its socket, and inspect it closely. Is the filament burnt up or broken ? Then this may be the reason why your tail lights aren’t illuminating. If you decide to replace the bulb with a brand new one, and your light is still stubbornly off, something else might be the cause.

Why does my tail light have condensation?

In other words, your car’s lights generate a lot of heat while in use . When there’s an imbalance of heating and cooling down , it can be damaging to your lighting assembly as a whole.

How much does it cost to replace a broken tail light?

The tail light part alone can cost around $15 to $180, depending on the car you drive, and this price won’t include the professional labor rates. Most people will be capable of replacing this part themselves and will usually need no professional help. If you are just replacing the bulb, plan on spending less than $35, but if you have to replace the whole light assembly, including the tail light cover, then it can cost upwards of $100 to $300. Again, this won’t include the professional labor fees if you wanted to hire a professional to complete the job.

What does it mean to replace a tail light?

Replacing a broken tail light can refer to either fixing a broken light, or it can refer to repairing the electrical wiring that makes the light work.

What does a broken tail light include?

Broken tail light overview. The tail light replacement will include the bulb and may also include the tail lamp assembly if needed. During the repair, the tail light guard or cover will be removed, usually by the multiple screws on the back of the unit.

How much does it cost to fix a light socket?

And finally, if you want to fix the fuse of the affected lights or change it, the average cost will amount from $50 to $150.

Where are tail lights located?

Tail lights or rear lights are the lights located on the rear end of a vehicle. The primary function of these lights is to display the rear side of the vehicle in order to give the drivers an idea of its dimensions, such as shape, size, etc. This is especially convenient during low visibility.

Why is my tail light wire damaged?

Another cause behind the damage of tail light wires is faulty light bulbs. It is the obvious next option to consider after the fuse. In this case, the filament of the bulb is closely needed to be inspected.

What to inspect if both parking lights are disabled?

In this step, you have to observe if both the parking lights are disabled or only one of them is. If both of the lights are disabled, the first places you should inspect are the vehicle fuses.

Why are my tail lights automatically turning on?

Automation: Tail lights are automatically turned on with the headlights. This is caused by an automatic sensor.

What is the first thing you should inspect for electrical malfunction?

Whenever any malfunction occurs in an electrical entity, the first thing you should inspect is the fuse. The main function of a fuse is to disintegrate when the current flowing through it becomes too high in voltage.

What to do if your bulb is not working?

After removing the lens of the defective bulb, replace the bulb with a functioning one. If the bulb still does not work, check for power.

How much does it cost to replace a tail light bulb?

Halogen tail light bulbs will cost about $3-5 each to replace, LED tail light bulbs will cost about $10-15 each to replace. You may want to replace both brake light bulbs if you are replacing ...

What to do if you accidentally break a tail light?

If you accidentally back into a pole or someone breaks your tail light housing then you need to decide what to do next. If your tail light housing is damaged you have the option of replacing the tail light assembly with a new one or trying to repair the old one.

Are LED Tail Light Bulbs Worth It?

If having bright tail lights or brake lights are important to you then you may want to look at replacing your halogen bulbs with LED bulbs. LED bulbs should produce a brighter light than halogen but will cost a bit extra per bulb.

Can You Replace Halogen Bulbs With LED Bulbs?

Yes, you can replace ha logen tail light bulbs with LED bulbs as long as the LED bulbs will fit in the tail light assembly. You would want to find out what halogen bulbs are compatible with your brake light assembly. From there you should be able to find LED bulbs that will fit your specific car.

Why are LED tail lights so popular?

LED tail light bulbs are becoming increasingly more common on cars as auto manufacturers try to find ways to make their cars stand out. LED bulbs will be able to create a brighter light than a comparable halogen brake light bulb.

What is LED tail light?

LED Tail Light Bulbs. LED light bulbs are a bit different than halogen light bulbs in that they don’t use a filament to produce light. LED stands for light-emitting diode which means that there is a semiconductor that emits light when electricity is passed through it. LED light bulbs are a newer technology when compared to halogen bulbs ...

Why do cars use halogen bulbs?

Some newer cars will use halogen bulbs to help cut down costs but LED lights are going to be used on a lot of new cars. Halogen bulb technology has been around a long time which is why it is the cheaper ...

How much does it cost to replace a vehicle rear tail light cover on your own?

As a result, you’ll be able to save money on labor. Because you just have to pay for the tail light cover, which ranges from $50 to $120, you might save up to 50%.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Tail Light Cover?

In a short period of time, the rear tail light cover may be replaced. The installation process is easy to follow. Replacement takes 45 minutes to an hour on average. It may take a long time to develop new models. You can go to the car shop if you don’t have much time. He’ll do tasks more quickly.

What is the function of a Tail Light Cover?

A high-quality exterior component that protects your vehicle’s tail light from moisture and debris is a tail light cover.

What Does It Mean to Replace the rear Tail Light Cover?

Other drivers cannot see your tail lights if the covers are broken or damaged, making it hard for them to comprehend where you want to drive your car.

How can you save money on a tail light cover in 2022?

For a low price, a tail light cover may be replaced. Still, we have some recommendations that may be able to assist you save money and minimize expenditures.

How should the tail light cover be cleaned?

It may be cleaned by scrubbing it with toothpaste. It could be useful in removing the fog from the tail light. To begin, clean your tail lights using Windex, soap, and water. After that, carefully rub a tiny bit of toothpaste into the moist light using a soft cloth.

Is it possible to get pulled over because your tail light is broken?

If your tail light is damaged , you might be pulled over and fined. On the citation, it will either say “no tail lights” or “broken lights.” You got lucky with the officer who issued the warning.

How much does a taillight bulb socket cost?

A bulb socket costs from $5 to $15. In some cars, the socket comes as part of the taillight wiring harness and may cost from $15 to $35. What can cause all taillights or all brake lights not to work? Although it's rare for two or three bulbs to fail at the same time, bulbs must be checked first.

How to install a light bulb in a car?

In many cars, the bulb is installed in a socket. For example, in this Honda Accord, the owner's manual says: Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise (see the photo ). Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it bottoms. Insert the socket back into the light assembly. Turn it clockwise to lock it in place .

How to tell if a bulb is bad?

Another way to check it is to measure the resistance of the bulb using a multimeter. A good bulb should have resistance from 0 to 3 Ohms. If the multimeter shows OL, which means the resistance is out of range (no continuity), the bulb is bad. It's also possible to check the bulb using a 12V power source, or a 9V battery.

What does it mean when the bulbs are good?

If the bulbs are good, it means that the electric circuit for the affected lights is down. For example, a bad brake light switch can cause the brake light circuit (and all three brake lights) not to work. If the electric circuit is down, the first step is to check the fuse. Most cars have two or three fuse boxes;

How long do car bulbs last?

How long do bulbs last in a car? In some cars, bulbs can last up to 10-15 years, although in other cars, they are known to fail much earlier. It depends on where the bulb is located, the quality of the bulb and many other factors.

Can you change taillight bulbs yourself?

In some cars it's easy to do; in others the taillight assembly might need to be removed in order to change a bulb. If you want to replace the bulb yourself, the key is to use the right bulb type and install it properly to avoid electrical issues.

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