Replacing license plate lamps

All modern cars consist of a large number of complex and simple mechanisms. Each of them performs its tasks and functions. The license plate light 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 independently replace the light bulb. In the article, we will consider the main causes of breakdown and the main principles for replacing number plate backlight lamps.

The backlight of the rear number does not light up - the main reasons and punishment according to traffic rules

The backlight on the vehicle number is needed so that traffic police officers can read it at a certain distance. Ideally, the number should be visible at a distance of 20 meters. According to the Rules of the Road, drivers are prohibited from driving cars that do not have license plate lights. This rule also applies if there is a backlight, but it does not work properly.

If the license plate of the car is poorly lit or not fully lit, this will be considered an offense, drivers receive a fine of 500 rubles. Such sanctions operate mainly at night.

Lighting car number lamps.

At the same time, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, drivers must use strictly white lighting fixtures. Lamas should not shine with a red, yellow, blue tint. It also threatens with penalties. traffic police officers who stop drivers in the evening with a non-working number plate light are guided by clause 3.3 of the SDA.

Drivers can be fined even if one of the ceiling lights does not work. In modern cars, there are 2-3 shades each. Even if one of them is faulty, it is considered a gross violation. Sometimes traffic police officers can make concessions and simply issue 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 ceiling does not work, but the visibility of the license plate still remains good (at a distance of at least 20 m). Such a case will not be considered an offense.. The driver will not be fined.

Removing the ceiling lamps to replace the lamp that will illuminate the car number.

The rear number plate light bulb burns out for various reasons. The rear number plate light does not light up - why does this happen:

• Accumulation of condensate on the ceiling. Most often, the cause of the malfunctioning of the backlight lies precisely in the damage to the ceiling.
• Nest deformation. According to the standard, two light bulbs are located on the sides of the license plate of the car. If one of them does not work correctly, this does not necessarily indicate faulty wiring.You will need to knock on the ceiling. If after that the lamps began to blink, the problem lies in the nest.

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

Algorithm

Below we will consider the algorithm for troubleshooting problems with the backlighting of the car number plate and find out how to choose the right bulbs for the vehicle.

Selection of new lamps

Drivers are advised to purchase only those lamps recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can read about this in the documents for the vehicle. If there is no such information, it is best to buy lamps in trusted specialized stores, and not in chain hypermarkets.

Standard bulb for lighting a license plate.

Most often, W5W or C5W incandescent lamps are used to illuminate the room. This is the most standard and versatile option. You can resort to upgraded lighting and purchase LED lamps and strips. They are distinguished by greater brightness, rich color, long-term work. When choosing bulb models, you should also take into account the requirements for lighting intensity for a particular car.

Removing the lamp

Features of replacing the number plate light bulb largely depend on the brand of the car that needs repair. But in general, the replacement process looks about the same for vehicles of different brands. The first step is to prepare the purchased light bulbs and make sure that they are suitable for a particular car. In order not to be mistaken, it is better to remove one cover, get a working lamp from there and come with it to any car shop. Most often, the backlight bulb can be replaced from the outside, that is, without removing the trunk lid trim.

Removing the cover from the socket.

It often happens that some car manufacturers for an aesthetic appearance hide the mount on which the ceiling is held under various parts and seals. Therefore, the replacement is carried out carefully and without sudden movements.

The plafond is attached only at the edges, otherwise it may be damaged, which will lead to the need to replace not only the lamp, but also the plafond.

The repair algorithm is as follows:

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

The light bulb itself does not need to be unscrewed, it is easily removed from the socket in one motion. It is also not worth pressing on it, so as not to damage the ceiling.

Bulb replacement

When the ceiling is removed and the old lamp is pulled out, you can proceed to install a new one. It is also inserted easily and without sudden movements. After that, it is necessary to insert the cover back into the socket by snapping the structure (or screwing in the nuts, if this type of fastening is provided on the car). Before you hit the road, it is best to make sure that the backlight is working properly. If the driver performs such an operation for the first time, one should not exclude the possibility that after the repair the light will also not work.

Installing a new light bulb in the car socket.

Perhaps, during the dismantling process, the ceiling was damaged or the lamp was screwed in incorrectly. It is also possible that the bulb itself is defective. In this case, you must contact the store where it was purchased. If you can’t fix the problem yourself, it’s 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

The bad light of the light bulb illuminating the number of the car, or its complete absence, is a legitimate basis for a fine. According to the Rules of the Road, the driver cannot drive on the streets at night without license plate lights. You can change the light bulb yourself.To do this, you just need to buy a new lighting device, after making sure that it is suitable for a particular brand of car, remove the cover, clean it and insert a new light bulb. After that, it is worth checking whether the light will be on. If not, then the problem may be deeper. Therefore, it is better to drive the car away and get professional help at a service center.

Drivers must understand that new lighting devices must be suitable for a particular brand of car. If there are difficulties with the choice, you can remove one of the available lamps in the room and go with it to the store to buy. It is better to take lighting fixtures with a margin so that replacement can be carried out anywhere.