License plate light bulb replacement

All modern cars consist of a large number of complex and simple mechanisms. Each of them performs its own tasks and functions. The license plate light bulb is one of the mechanisms of the vehicle, which often fails. Many motorists are faced with such a problem and do not know how to replace the bulb themselves. In this article, let's consider the main causes of failure and the main principles of replacing the license plate light bulbs.

Back license plate light does not work - the main reasons and penalties under the traffic code

Backlighting on the license plate of the vehicle is needed so that the traffic police officers can read it at a certain distance. Ideally, the license plate should be visible at a distance of 20 meters. According to the Highway Code, drivers are not allowed to drive vehicles that do not have a license plate light. This also applies if the lights are illuminated but not working properly.

If the license plate is poorly lit or not fully illuminated, it will be considered an offense, drivers will receive a fine of 500 rubles. Such penalties apply mainly at night.

Illumination of the license plate with lamps.

At the same time, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, drivers must use strictly white lights. Lamps should not shine with red, yellow, blue hues. It also threatens with fines. Traffic police officers, who stop drivers in the evening with inoperative license plate lights, are guided by paragraph 3.3 of the traffic code.

Drivers may be fined even if one of the lights is not working. In modern cars, there are 2-3 lamps. Even if one of them is faulty, it is considered a gross violation. Sometimes traffic police officers may make concessions and just write a warning. More often this happens if the backlight has the wrong shade or does not burn too brightly.

There is another situation when one of the lamps in the lamps does not work, but the visibility of the license plate is still good (at a distance of at least 20 meters). Such a case will not be considered an offence. The driver will not be fined.

Removing the lens to replace the bulb that will illuminate the license plate.

The bulb to illuminate the rear license plate burns out for a variety of reasons. Rear license plate light does not light up - why does this happen:

• Condensation buildup on the plafond. Most often the cause of the malfunction of the backlight lies exactly in the damage of the plafond.
• Deformation of the socket. As a standard, there are two bulbs on the sides of the license plate. If one of them does not work properly, it does not necessarily indicate faulty wiring. It is necessary to knock on the plafond. If after that the lights start blinking, the problem lies in the socket.

If all the lamps do not light, it is necessary to check the operation of the fuse, as their integrity may be compromised.

Algorithm

Below we will consider the algorithm of troubleshooting problems with the work of the license plate light and find out how to choose the right bulbs for the vehicle.

Selection of new bulbs

Drivers are advised to buy only those bulbs that are advised by the manufacturer of the car. You can read about this in the documents to the vehicle. If there is no such information, it is best to buy bulbs at trusted specialty stores rather than at chain hypermarkets.

Standard license plate light bulb.

Most often W5W or C5W incandescent bulbs are used for license plate lighting. This is the most standard and versatile option. You can resort to upgraded illumination and buy LED bulbs and strips. They are characterized by greater brightness, saturated color, long life. When selecting light bulb models, you should also consider the light intensity requirements for your particular vehicle.

Removing the license plate light bulb

The specifics of replacing the license plate light bulb largely depend on the brand of the car that needs to be repaired. But in general, the replacement process looks about the same for vehicles of different brands. The first thing to do is to prepare the bulbs you bought and make sure that they are suitable for a particular car. In order not to make a mistake, it is better to take off one plafond, take out a working bulb and come to any auto store with it. Most often the light bulb can be replaced from the outside, that is, without removing the trunk lid trim.

Removing the plafond from the socket.

It often happens that some car manufacturers for aesthetic appearance hide the mount, which holds the plafond, under different parts and seals. Therefore, the replacement is carried out carefully and without sudden movements.

The plafond is undermined only on the edges, otherwise it can be damaged, which will lead to the need to replace not only the lamp but also the plafond.

The algorithm for repair work is as follows:

1. Initially, it is best to wipe the light fixtures with a clean rag. You can also treat the surface of the body around the backlight. This area is in a small shelter, so dust and dirt from the roads constantly accumulate here. Even if the driver regularly visits the car wash, contamination still remains in this area. If the layer of dirt is large, it can interfere with the dismantling process.
2. Carefully inspect the clean plafond to see if it is damaged (you can use a regular flashlight for a thorough analysis). The driver must make sure that the problem lies exactly in the blown bulb. Sometimes it happens that the breakdown is concentrated much deeper. In such cases, a professional repair at a service center is needed.
   Detailed inspection of the plafond.
3. Use a screwdriver to remove the clips that secure the plafond cover. To do this, you usually use any flat tool. Clips must be removed carefully, as they are fragile. This is more true for owners of older cars. On some cars, the plafonds are fixed with bolts, which can be unscrewed with an ordinary screwdriver.
4. When the plafond will no longer be fixed, it should be pulled on the wiring from the tank by about 5 cm, no more is necessary.
5. To unscrew the bulb you need to turn the chip that connects to the plafond.

The bulb itself does not need to be unscrewed, it is easily removed from the socket with one movement. Do not push it either, so as not to damage the plafond.

Changing the bulb

When the plafond is removed and the old bulb is removed, you can proceed to install the new one. It is also inserted easily and without sudden movements. After that, it is necessary to insert the plafond back into the socket by snapping the construction (or screwing in the nuts, if the car is equipped with this type of attachment). Before driving on the road, it is best to make sure that the backlight works properly. If the driver carries out such an operation for the first time, you should not exclude the possibility that after the repair the light will also not work.

Installation of a new bulb in the car socket.

It is possible that in the process of disassembly the plafond was damaged or the bulb was screwed in incorrectly. It is also possible that the bulb itself is defective. In this case, you should contact the store where it was purchased. If you do not manage to fix the problem yourself, it is better to contact the service center for professional help.

Video: Replacing the backlight in popular models

Citroen C4

Hyundai Solaris

Lada Priora (hatchback)

Kia Rio

VW Polo sedan

Conclusion

Bad light of the bulb illuminating the license plate, or its complete absence is a legitimate reason to receive a fine. According to the Rules of the Road, a driver cannot drive on the streets in the dark without a license plate light. You can change the bulb yourself. All you need to do is buy a new lighting device, make sure it suits the car brand, take off the plafond, clean it and put in a new bulb. After that, you should check whether the light will be on. If there is no light, the problem may be deeper. Therefore, it is better to take the car away and get professional help at the service center.

Drivers should understand that new lighting fixtures should fit the specific make of car. If there are difficulties with the choice, you can remove one of the existing bulbs on the plate and go with it to the store to buy it. It is better to take lighting devices with a reserve, so that in any place you can make a replacement.