How Much Does It Cost to Fix Tail Light Wiring?

One of the prime components of a vehicle is its lights. The lights are what provide safety to the vehicle and caution to the other drivers.

Although by lights, we mostly consider the brake lights, the taillights, also known as the rear or parking lights, are equally important.

Like every illumination system, these lights have wiring too. The wiring system of tail lights is pretty basic, mostly like other electrical equipment.

And the wiring of tail lights, if damaged, can prove to be extremely dangerous for the driver of the vehicle as well as other people on the road. And so, it should always remain active. But how much does it cost to fix tail light wiring?

Today we’ll talk about that and a lot more.

Common Features of Tail Lights?

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.

There are some common features of tail lights.

• Automation: Tail lights are automatically turned on with the headlights. This is caused by an automatic sensor.
• Safety: Tailor rear lights are also known as rear fog lights because they allow other vehicles to observe the particular vehicle in rain, snow, or fog. In this way, these lights function as a safety feature.
• Color: Tail lights are usually red, although not as luminous as the brake lights. They also contain additional lights that are white in color.

All about Tail Light Wiring

Now there are different types of tail lights available in the market. But whether they are LED lights or Halogen lights – every type of light requires wiring to be installed.

Now according to different brands, the color of wire coating changes. However, the standard color of wire that connects to the tail or parking lights is brown.

Common Reasons for Tail Light Wiring Malfunction

Now that you have an idea about tail lights and their wiring, here is an insight into some of the common reasons that cause tail light wiring malfunction.

• Faulty Tail Light Fuse

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.

In this way, it safeguards the entire device from being damaged. And in a vehicle, a fuse box is located in a couple of places.

At first, you need to search these places to identify the respective fuse box. After identifying the actual fuse that controls the tail lights, you have to inspect it.

• Faulty Tail Light Bulbs

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.

This is the component that causes the radiance of lights. If the light bulbs are faulty, there is a possibility that the wires involved may have been damaged.

• Socket Failure

Another major cause of wire damage is socket failure. This is usually caused when moisture gets into the socket.

Other than that, the poor connection of wires also causes the failure of the socket. So when socket failure occurs, it is to be noted that the wires might be in a poor state.

• Deterioration of Wiring

Broken or loose wiring is the most common cause of permanent or temporary wire damage. In this case, you need to match the condition of the wires with an actual wiring diagram and inspect if the wires are in their standard state or not.

How to Fix Tail Light Wiring?

The method of fixing the tail light wiring mostly depends on the cause behind the damage. In this guide, each guide follows through different outcomes of identification along the process.

• Step 1: Activating the Tail Lights

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.

• Step 2: Removal of Lens

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.

Here, the state of power determines the problem area. If it is found in the socket, the issue is with the connection. And if no power is found, you have to visually inspect the wire for the further outcome.

• Step 3: Installation of New Wire

When the power is found, shut the lights and install new wire by cutting off wire using a connector.

First of all, cut the wire and then locate it at the parking light socket. Then, ensure that enough wire is left to install the new wire.

• Step 4: Finishing up

At this stage, all you have to do is connect the wires carefully and see if they are secured.

Finally, for inspection, you have to turn on the parking lights and observe if it is functioning or not.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix Tail Light Wiring

Moving on to the main topic of this article, this is where it gets a little tricky. Prices are never constant, especially in scenarios where the technicalities are not fixed.

However, it can be firmly stated that the costs of fixing tail light wiring by yourself are far less compared to the costs of getting it done by a professional mechanic.

According to different sources, the replacement price range of tail lights for all vehicles is between $81.00 to $110.00.

But if tail light wiring is fixed, there will be no need for you to change your entire bulb. The problem will be solved, and that too with a much lesser expenditure of money.

Now, there are different price points for different solutions. If you are to replace only a single defective bulb, the average cost will be $10 to $60, considering both the cost of the bulb and the labor.

If you plan to treat the problem by changing the socket, the average cost may be from $5 to $15. Again, if the light is an LED light, the cost will be significantly more. 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.

It is to be noted that all these costs are approximations and are subject to any kind of variance.

Why Should You Consider It?

So, now you know how much it does cost to fix tail light wiring. From what you read, the fixing of tail light wiring may seem like a hassle, that too a costly one. So why should you still consider it?

Well, it is because it concerns your safety as well as other people’s safety. While you may compromise with the cost and quality of things, there is no compromise with safety. So, research well be vigilant when buying materials to fix tail light wiring, but do not avoid it by any means.