Pontiac Optima Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) Inspection at your home or office.

Common reasons for this to happen:

Brake Lights

• Blown Fuse: The electrical power for the brake light system passes through a fuse and if the fuse blows, the brake lights will no longer work. While this is usually a simple fix, it could indicate a larger problem. If the same fuses continue to blow, the brake light system should be inspected.

• Burned Out Bulb: Like any light bulb, vehicle bulbs will burn out over time. At some point in the lifespan of a vehicle the brake light bulbs will have to be replaced. Time frames differ depending on the bulb type. In most states driving with a burned out brake light is illegal.

• Malfunctioning Brake Light Switch: The brake light switch works like a household light switch. When the brake pedal is depressed it opens the switch to send electricity to the brake lights. If the switch is bad it breaks the connection between the brake lights and the pedal. The brake lights will no longer work, or they can become stuck in the on position.

• Issue with Bulb Socket: The sockets that the brake light bulbs sit in can be dirty. If the debris builds up on the contacts in the socket it will prevent the bulb from making contacting and it will not light up. In this situation, only one brake light will not be working, it is uncommon for both sockets to become blocked at the same time.

Unplugged Harness: The electrical system that runs the brake light system contains various harness and if one of them becomes unplugged or defective it will affect the brake lights.

Headlights

• Bad Bulb: Just like the brake lights and every other bulb, eventually the headlights will burn out and need to be replaced. Bulb life varies depending on what type of bulb the vehicle uses. In most cases, if only one headlight is not working, replacing the bulb should be the first step.

• Blown Fuse: Just like the brake lights, the electrical system that runs the headlights incorporates fuses and if one of them is blown the headlights will not work. If you cannot switch between high and low beams, a fuse could very well be the problem.

• Bad Relay: If both headlights are not working, the headlight relay is one of the most common causes. The headlight relay is part of the electrical system and if it is malfunctioning, the lights will not get power. The relay will have to be replaced.

• Bad Headlight Switch: The headlight switch is used to turn on the lights. If the switch is malfunctioning the headlights will not function. If it is impossible to turn the headlights on the car should not be driven at night and should be repaired immediately.

• Faulty Socket: The socket that the headlight bulb sits in can become dirty or contaminated. If this happens the bulb cannot make the contact it needs to light. In this case, the most common symptom would be one headlight not working.

• Moisture in Headlight: If the headlights turn on but are not illuminating the road there could be moisture in the in the housing. This will cause fogging and diminished performance of the headlights.

• Bad Dimmer Switch: The dimmer switch allows the driver to switch between high and low beams. If the switch is malfunctioning the headlights can become stuck on high or low. Headlights stuck on high could be dangerous for on-coming drivers and the problem should be fixed as soon as possible.