A lot of people drive their cars around with dim headlights. There are a lot of reasons why this happens, including age, corrosion, and damage.
No matter the cause, fixing this as soon as possible is crucial. But how much does it cost to fix dim headlights?
How much you can expect to pay to fix dim headlights depends on the cause of the problem. We’ll go over these causes and give you an idea of how much it’s going to cost to fix the headlights.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix Dim Headlights?
If your headlights are a little dim, it may be time to get them fixed. But how much does it cost to fix dim headlights?
That depends a lot on what “the fix” is. Here are the most common headlight repairs:
- Replacing a headlight bulb is usually the cheapest, costing between $10 and $20 per bulb.
- If your headlight lenses crack or appear foggy, you need to get new ones. This will cost you between $100 to $200 per lens.
- Changing your entire headlight assembly can cost from $200 to $1,000. This is typically only necessary if the headlight has been damaged in an accident.
So there’s no straightforward answer to the cost of fixing your headlights. Depending on the severity of the problem, you could end up paying anywhere between $10 to $1,000.
Can You Fix Dim Headlights, or Do You Have to Replace them?
If you have dim headlights, they might just need simple cleaning or adjustment. You don’t need to completely replace them every time they dim.
If there are severe problems, like severe cracking of the lenses, you may have to commit to a proper replacement. This can be costly, but it’s well worth it to keep you safe on the road.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Brighter Headlights?
● Fixing dim lights
If you have halogen headlights, the most accessible and affordable fix is simply replacing the headlight bulbs. You can do this yourself, especially if you’re handy with a screwdriver, or take it to a mechanic or car dealership and have them do it for you. Either way, expect to pay around $50-$100 for new bulbs.
● Cleaning cloudy headlamps
If your headlights look cloudy or yellowed, that’s a sign that the headlight lenses need to be cleaned or replaced. Again, this is an easy fix that you can do yourself with some elbow grease and a headlight cleaning kit from your local auto parts store.
If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, most mechanics or car dealerships will be happy to clean them for you. Be prepared to pay $100-$200 for this service.
What is the Most Cost-effective Option for Changing a Headlight?
The cheapest option for changing a headlight is to buy a new bulb for the existing headlight and make other DIY fixes like cleaning dirty lenses. Most automotive bulbs are available in various wattages, so you can find one that will fit your vehicle’s current bulb and have enough lumens to replace it.
Furthermore, everything will cost less if you do it yourself. This is because there are no additional costs, and you can save money in the long run.
What Determines How Much a Mechanic will Charge You for Headlight Replacement?
You can expect to pay anything from $50 to $150 or more for a headlight replacement. Typically, this amount varies depending on several factors, including:
- Bulb type
- Size of the bulbs
- Whether you’re replacing one or both
- Your vehicle’s make and model.
If you have an appointment, you can get estimates from competing repair shops before choosing one that offers fair and competitive pricing. If you can’t get an estimate, ask the mechanic how long it will take them to do the work — this helps determine its cost.
How to Replace Your Headlights
You can replace your headlight bulbs yourself. Replacing them is relatively simple: All you need to do is to remove the old headlights and install the new set, as discussed below.
Removing old headlight
1. Remove the screws underneath the headlights, but don’t remove them altogether: You need to access the socket that holds them in place.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the sockets from the headlight assembly, being careful not to scratch any of the lenses with your screwdriver. If you have difficulty removing them, you can use a small flat-head screwdriver or a chisel to help pry them loose.
4. After removing all the sockets, turn off your headlights and disconnect them from their wiring harnesses by removing the nuts on both ends of each bulb socket assembly that connects directly to the headlight housing.
5. Remove any remaining screws holding your headlight assembly in place, carefully lifting it away from your vehicle until it sits on its own support brackets without touching anything or hitting anything else while working with it.
Installing new bulbs
4. Next, install the new bulbs into their sockets and tighten them down securely with a wrench or socket set.
5. Then connect both ends of each bulb socket assembly back to their respective wires running up through the headlight housing and reconnect them to their respective connections on your wiring harnesses. This will require you to reconnect one end of each wire to its proper connection for it to operate correctly again once everything is in place.
6. Now that you’ve completed these steps correctly, test out your new lights by turning them on manually and seeing how they look when they’re lit up properly again like before!
The Bottom line
The cost of fixing your dim headlights will vary depending on the cause of the problem. If the issue is as simple as hazy headlights, cleaning them up is cheap. But this price could go much higher if you have a severe problem, like a damaged electrical system.