With all of the different relays that are on a car, it can feel like a full-time job keeping up with them all. One of the most important safety features that a car has is properly working headlights. In some cars, the headlights fold down and are hidden from view then the car is turned off. In order for this type of system to work, the headlight closure relay will have to work properly. The relay shuts off the power to the headlight motor when the car is cut off, which then allows the lights to fold down. Every time the headlights of a car are used, the closure relay will have to work to maintain the flow of power that is needed.
The relays and switches on a car are designed to last the lifespan of the vehicle, but in some instances this is not the case. There are a variety of different things that can cause a relay to become unusable. Generally, the heat and the moisture that is produced by the engine begins to cause corrosion or rusting issues. Having rust or corrosion on the terminals of the relay can prohibit the connection that it is able to make.
If the relay is not getting a good connection, then it will be nearly impossible for the headlight closures to operate properly. In some cases, the reason why a relay will not work is due to internal issues with the wiring. Regardless of what is causing the issues with the headlight closure relay, getting it fixed in a hurry should be a top concern. Here are some of the warning signs that you may notice when it is time to replace this relay:
- The doors on the headlights will not close when the power is shut off
- The closure relay is only doing its job on occasion
- The headlight doors will not open at all
Addressing this issue in a hurry will make it easy for you to maintain the functionality of your headlights. Letting professionals handle this type of relay replacement is your best course of action due to the large room for error that exists when trying to do it on your own.
