Quick answer - it’s most likely to be a flat battery. However, it could be more serious. Try the steps below and work your way through them. Be aware - not all of them may be applicable to your vehicle, so double-check.

One of the most frustrating things about owning a car - getting into the driver’s seat, cranking the engine, and then - nothing. It’s even more frustrating when you’re late for work, it’s raining, and you’ve got to get out and diagnose a car problem. Believe me - I’ve been there.

However, this is usually a simple fix, especially if your Ford Fiesta was working fine before. In this article we’re going to go through all of the reasons for your Ford Fiesta not starting and how you can fix them. 

As the owner of a Peugeot 208 for several years, I grew frustrated with the head unit. They are known for having a number of problems with them, and so many 208 owners head to the internet to look for an alternative.

Unfortunately there’s not really much information out there about which radio upgrade you should go for - and this leads some people to contact auto electricians, who will often fit good units from the likes of Pioneer or Kenwood, but often these cost a lot of money not only for the head unit but also for the fitting, and don’t really provide any more features than the standard 208 screen other than maybe the addition of Android Auto or Apple Carplay.

In this article we’re going to do a deep dive into one of the options available for a Peugeot 208 radio upgrade, and in particular, which of the many options you should go for based on what’s available online.

Our pick for the best Peugeot 208 radio upgrade

Dasaita PX6 Peugeot 208 Android Head Unit

Our Rating:

Buy now at Amazon

Good points

• Cost-effective upgrade to the standard head unit
• Great feature set
• Excellent value for money

Bad points

• DAB is not great
• 4G is only available via dongle

A fantastic addition to your car, that will provide a significant and more reliable upgrade to your in-car entertainment experience.

By far the best place to purchase this item is on Amazon. Check out our link below where you can purchase the Dasaita PX6 for your Peugeot 208.

Where to buy the Dasaita PX6

Dasaita PX6 Peugeot 208 Android Head Unit

Our Rating:

Buy now at Amazon

Most Peugeot 208 models from 2012 onwards were fitted with a touchscreen unit for the radio, Bluetooth connection as well as some in-car settings like the trip computer and viewing your fuel consumption. Some (but not all) were also fitted with units that had navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Unfortunately these screens aren’t particularly good and are prone to a few problems. There’s a lot of information on the issues with these screens out there on the internet, but having owned a Peugeot 208 for three years and having been a mechanic for ten years, I can add some value and help you out if you’re experiencing Peugeot 208 touchscreen problems.

Let’s look at some of the most common issues with the touchscreen on your Peugeot 208 and what you can do to fix them.

Background to these units

The touchscreen units fitted to the Peugeot 208 were named SMEG and came in several different generations. The most notable difference between the generations is between generation 5 and 6, as generation 5 was the last generation fitted to the pre-facelift model of Peugeot 208. 

This has become a point of contention in online forums for people who bought a pre-facelift model of 208, saw the screen and thought they were getting navigation and CarPlay, only to find that it isn’t possible to upgrade a SMEG5 or older unit to include these features if they weren’t fitted from the factory.

These units were also fitted to other Peugeot cars including the 508, as well as some Citroen cars such as the DS3. As mentioned they are not particularly reliable units and are prone to problems and issues, the most common of which we will run through in this article.

Blank screen when turning the car on

This is a common problem and one that I used to experience at least every few months when I owned my Peugeot 208. One thing that would always solve it is removing and reseating the fuse for the touchscreen. The touchscreen fuse is located in the glove compartment fusebox on RHD cars and to the left of the steering wheel in LHD cars. 

The fuse you need to check is numbered fuse 18, and is a 20A fuse. Visually inspect the fuse for signs of damage, and if the fuse looks damaged, replace it. If the fuse looks OK, put it back in and see if you are still experiencing the problem.

You may also find that this is because of heat. As we’ll discuss in a later section, these touchscreens are very sensitive to heat. There is a thermal cutout on these screens and if the internal temperature gets too high, they will turn themselves off. It may be the case that the screen is too hot even to switch on, so when you start the car you get a blank screen. 

The solution to this is to run the car with the air conditioning on for at least half an hour and when the internal temperature is low enough, the screen should switch itself back on.

Thinking of upgrading your 208 radio?

We've written a full guide on the best unit to buy if you want to upgrade your default Peugeot 208 radio.

Check our our guide

Thinking of upgrading your 208 radio?

We've written a full guide on the best unit to buy if you want to upgrade your default Peugeot 208 radio.

Check our our guide

Quick answer – it’s most likely to be a blown fuse or a burned out heater resistor pack. In rare occasions it could be that the blower motor itself has failed. It could also be a failed relay but this is very rare.

Problems with the heater fan are common in every car. Of course, in the middle of winter, this can be quite an urgent issue and one that can usually be resolved fairly quickly and cheaply. In this article I’ve run through some of the most common causes of failure for your Citroen DS3 heater blower, as well as how to fix these issues and how much you’ll pay.

99% of heater related issues in the DS3 are caused by the heater resistor pack failing or the fuse blowing. It is rare, in my experience, for anything else to be the cause. Fortunately these are two of the cheapest and easiest repairs you can do on your own car. However, if it transpires that your issue is more complicated, this then becomes an issue that most people can’t solve at home on their driveway with common tools, and you’ll likely need to consult with a garage.

I’m not an auto electrician – I am a mechanic, and for complicated electrical faults, I would usually refer customers to a good auto electrician I knew. That being said, little issues like this are easy to do and I would usually tell a customer they could pretty easily do these repairs themselves and avoid a £60 per hour labour charge. In the instance a customer didn’t want to do that, however, I would carry out the repair. I’ve fixed several DS3 heater blower not working issues and below are some of the most common reasons why this happens, and how you can fix it yourself.

Table of Contents

• Fuse blown
• Heater resistor pack
• Faulty blower motor
• Failed relay

Possible causes

Fuse blown

The first thing to check whether the fuse for the blower has gone. This could happen for any number of reasons but the root cause of a fuse blowing is that the component has drawn a stronger current than it is designed to handle, and the fuse blowing is designed as a failsafe so that the wiring doesn’t overheat or melt.

The relevant fuse for the DS3 is fuse 11. There are two fuseboxes in the DS3 – one in the cabin and one in the engine bay located near the battery. The fuse for the blower motor is in the engine bay fusebox.

You can find a fusebox diagram either in a Haynes manual or online. I will link to one at the end of this section. but the fuses are identified by their amperage as well as their identifying numbers. The amperage is written on the fuse itself and the identifying number is written on the plastic. Fuse 11 is a 40A fuse and it is located in the bottom left of the fusebox.

Sometimes these fuses can fail without any visual signs, so I would first recommend that you replace this fuse irrespective of whether it looks good or not. These fuses can be had very cheaply at places like Halfords and Screwfix, so I would recommend just replacing it and seeing if it solves your problem. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.

Something that’s very important to mention is that you should never renew a fuse more than once. What I mean by this is that if replacing fuse 11 fixes your problem, and then immediately after turning the heater on, the fuse blows again, do not replace the fuse a second time. This is likely now due to a short to earth due to faulty wiring and you should take your car to an auto electrician to get it fixed.

Citroen DS3 fusebox diagram: https://car-box.info/fuses-citroen-ds3-s-2009-2020.htm

(when I next see a DS3 in for repair I will grab a photo of the fusebox and update it here.)

Heater resistor pack

If ever I’ve looked at a DS3 with heater issues this is the first thing I look at. As I mentioned, I’m no auto electrician, but I will take a look at basic electrics issues such as this. Commonly the complaint is that the heater or the air con is either all or nothing – it works on full but not on anything else. This is almost certainly as a result of the heater resistor pack failing.

The heater resistor, or blower control module, works by varying the amount of electrical current provided to the fan motor. So, if you set your heater on low, the resistor adds resistance to the circuit to prevent the fan spinning too fast. If you turn the heater up to full, there’s nothing to stop the full electrical current going to the blower motor so it spins as fast as it can. As a result, when the resistor pack fails, your heating or air con won’t work on anything other than full speed.

The heater resistor pack is located in the passenger footwell, and replacement involves removing trim and removing the pack itself from around where the glovebox is. There are videos on YouTube on how to do this but fundamentally it’s a pretty easy job and heater resistor packs can be had on eBay or Amazon for not very much money – less than £20. You can, if you want, order the genuine part from Citroen – the part number is 932PC0570 and it will likely cost you around £60.

I would always say go for the genuine part – some of the heater blower control models you can get on eBay are not very good quality and it’s possible you may get a dud – so even if you’ve tried replacing the heater blower module with a new one, it could still be your issue. At least with a genuine part you won’t have this worry.

Faulty blower motor

This is not a majorly common issue in the DS3, but is something you should check if none of the other fixes have worked. Early signs of blower motor failure include slow starting or squeaking during operation. Often, failure of the blower motor is because of a blocked pollen filter. 

Unfortunately some garages don’t change this during a major service and it’s not uncommon for it to become blocked up. The blower motor uses air from outside brought in and filtered by the pollen filter, and if this is blocked, it can restrict the amount of air the fan gets, forcing it to work harder and then ultimately failing.

This is quite an involved job to do and I wouldn’t recommend you try it if you’re not at least a little familiar with the internals of a car’s heater matrix. You will need to remove a some of the interior trim in the passenger footwell to get to the heater blower motor, and some of the ducting will also need to be removed to provide enough access for you to remove and replace the motor.

I would strongly recommend buying a genuine part if you’re going to do this, and not an eBay knock-off – because if you get a dud, it’s a lot of work to do this job again. Reputable parts can be had from your motor factors for around £30 – £50 – just make sure that you buy the right part for your vehicle.

Failed relay

I will touch on this briefly as it could be the cause of your issue, but you’re unlikely to be able to do anything about it yourself, unless you’re a skilled auto electrician. It’s entirely possible that the relay for the heater blower circuit has failed. The relays on the DS3 are actually internal to the engine bay fusebox, and the parts are not user serviceable. If the relay has failed, you would need to fit a new fusebox – so it would be my advice that you check all the other issues first, before going down the route of a failed relay.

Relays don’t fail very often, however – and despite the poor reputation French cars have for electrics, it’s unlikely this is your issue. I would recommend if none of the above have worked, drop your car into an auto electrician and explain that you’ve tried a number of other things that have not solved the problem.

We’ve written a number of articles on the DS3, including a lot of content on common problems and issues you might face. If you’re interested, check out some of our other articles on the DS3 below.

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The alternator is a pivotal component of your Volkswagen Golf – without it, your battery won’t be recharged while your engine is running and eventually you’ll turn your car off and it won’t start up again. While VW Golfs are generally well built cars, and their alternators aren’t known as a particular weak spot, but like any other component on your car, it can fail. 

In this article we’re going to go through what you might expect to pay to replace an alternator in your Volkswagen Golf in the UK at a local independent garage. This article generally covers VW Golfs from 2011 onwards, but it should be a relatively similar cost to have an older model replaced. However if your Golf is very old, you might not have a choice between a rebuilt or a new alternator and may be forced to go down the reconditioned route, which we discuss later in the article.

Table of Contents

• Check that it’s definitely a problem with your alternator
  • Testing for a bad alternator on your VW Golf
• Choosing between a remanufactured/rebuilt or new alternator
• Cost to replace a VW Golf alternator in the UK
• Is it worth replacing an alternator?
• Is replacing an alternator easy?
• Can I drive with a faulty alternator?

Check that it’s definitely a problem with your alternator

Firstly, before you start asking a garage to replace your alternator, there’s a simple test you can do to test whether it is actually your alternator that’s going bad. Symptoms of a bad battery and a bad battery are often very similar, and the last thing you want to do is have a good alternator replaced when it’s actually the battery that’s failed. This test will work no matter how old your Golf is or whether it’s petrol or diesel.

Testing for a bad alternator on your VW Golf

1. Start the car. If you need to jump start it because you believe the alternator has failed, that’s fine – it won’t affect the results of this test.
2. With the car running, switch off the radio, AC, etc.
3. Now, disconnect the positive terminal on your battery.
4. If the car stops running, you have a bad alternator. If the car continues to run, your battery is bad. It’s that simple!
5. If you want to be absolutely sure, hook the positive terminal back up and grab a multimeter. Connect the black cable of the multimeter to the negative terminal and the red cable to the positive terminal. You should measure around 14 volts – a little below or above is normal. Now, turn on the AC, the lights, radio, etc. The voltage should remain at 14 volts. If it drops below 13.5 volts, your alternator is providing reduced electricity supply. If it goes any lower than 12 volts, your alternator has completely stopped working. 

It’s important to note that you should never drive too far with a bad alternator – because if your alternator isn’t providing enough electricity to recharge the battery, your battery will eventually run flat. If it does, your engine will stop – and you certainly don’t want this happening on the motorway at 70mph. Only drive your car short distances if you absolutely have to – ideally to a garage to get the alternator replaced.

Other things that point towards a faulty alternator are the battery light on the dashboard, an engine that’s slow to turn over but does eventually start or a clicking noise when you try to start the car. All of these are also symptoms of a faulty battery too, so you really should perform the checks detailed above to be sure that it’s your alternator that’s failing and not the battery. 

Choosing between a remanufactured/rebuilt or new alternator

Alternators are one of the few automotive components that can be reconditioned and reused. Many parts cannot – such as tyres, suspension components, etc. However, you should be careful when choosing whether to go with a reconditioned or new alternator as there are pros and cons for each.

Firstly, and most importantly, a rebuilt alternator will cost less – up to 25% to 50% off the cost of a new one from your local motor factors or from the VW dealer themselves. You should also look for a warranty – generally a rebuilt alternator will either just have had the broken parts replaced, but a remanufactured alternator will have been inspected and tested and generally will have a longer warranty.

Typically most garages would recommend fitting a new alternator – primarily due to the fact that it will have a manufacturer’s warranty, and it’s less likely to go wrong. This is certainly what we would recommend as it’s the option more likely to keep you on the road for longer. Unless you’ve got a specific reason to use a rebuilt alternator – for example, your Golf is so old that you are struggling to get new parts, you should stick with a new alternator. 

One thing to mention – don’t go for a used alternator from a breakers’ yard or something because you’ll have no idea how many miles were on the car that it was taken from, and no idea when it’s likely to fail. If you’re paying someone else to do the labour, it’s a real false economy to get a used part and pay someone the labour to fit it when it could fail imminently and you have no warranty.

Cost to replace a VW Golf alternator in the UK

In this section we do a deep dive on exactly what it costs to replace the alternator on your VW Golf. As mentioned this applies to 2011 models and newer. We’ve estimated an average of £50 + VAT for labour – and we’re assuming a competent mechanic can have the alternator replaced in no more than two hours. We haven’t included diagnostic charges in this – so if you take your car to the garage and ask them to determine whether the alternator is actually bad or not, they’ll charge you probably around an hour’s labour on top of this to do this check.

Example vehicle: 2015 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDi GTD 

Cost to purchase a new Bosch alternator (Euro Car Parts): £324.99

Cost to purchase a reconditioned alternator (eBay): £169.99

Labour to fit: £100 + VAT

Total cost to replace the alternator on a VW Golf = between £269.99 + VAT (reconditioned alternator) and £424.99 + VAT (new alternator)

Is it worth replacing an alternator?

So generally, yes – if your alternator is bad it’s worth replacing. It isn’t a hugely expensive part, and it isn’t a lot of labour to remove the old alternator and fit the new one. However, if there’s something else wrong with your car that might be causing the alternator to fail – maybe a coolant or an oil leak that’s dripping onto the alternator and causing it to fail, or possibly one of the plugs partially shorting the alternator and toasting it or something like this, you should get this looked at at the same time as your alternator repair.

Is replacing an alternator easy?

Replacing an alternator on a VW Golf is not a difficult job for a mechanic and is definitely within the ability of a competent home mechanic. A very quick description of how to perform the repair on a 2011 or newer VW Golf is below:

1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Remove the engine cover.
3. Slacken the wheel bolts on the front offside wheel. 
4. Jack the car up and remove the wheel. Remove the bottom half of the front offside wheel arch liner to expose the crankshaft pulley.
5. You will need to move the fuel filter assembly out of the way. Do not disconnect any hoses – unbolt the fuel filter assembly and position it somewhere where there is no strain on any of the hoses and it is not in any danger of falling into the area in which you are working.
6. Rotate the tensioner clockwise using a spanner and insert a drill bit to lock the tension off the alternator belt. If you are reusing the belt, mark the direction in which it rotates with tipp-ex or a permanent marker. Slip the belt off the pulleys and store it safely.
7. Unplug the cable from the alternator and unscrew the two bolts holding the alternator in place. Give them a gentle tap to release the centering nuts.
8. Disconnect the battery positive cable from the alternator terminal. Remove the alternator.
9. To install the new alternator, follow the steps above in reverse. For fitting the alternator belt, ensure it will rotate in the direction you marked in step 6. Once you’ve slipped the belt onto the pulleys, release the tensioner with a spanner and take the drill bit out.

Can I drive with a faulty alternator?

Technically yes, but you can’t drive very far. If your alternator isn’t providing any charge to the battery, the battery is the only thing powering the electrics in your car. When your battery runs flat, the car’s engine will stop – which is dangerous if you are on a fast moving road as the steering lock will come on and you will be left without assisted braking. You should only be driving to the nearest garage if your alternator is faulty.

Check out our troubleshooting guide if you’ve recently had a new alternator fitted, but your lights are flickering.

Check out some more of our electrical articles!

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*Note – this article may contain affiliate links. For more information, please click here.

The Volkswagen Polo is an extremely popular B-segment (supermini) car that has been produced in various iterations since 1975. Models manufactured after around 2004 are most commonly on the road now, and like any other car, the VW Polo experiences its fair share of problems and issues.

One of those (although no more so than any other car) is related to the windscreen wipers.

Like anything electrically powered on a car, windscreen wipers can break. If you’re experiencing issues on your VW Polo with turning the wipers off, changing their speed, or wipers not turning themselves off, read on as this article may be able to address your problem and save you a fortune at a garage!

The FatMech's Recommended Garage

We recommend ProTyre for all your servicing and repair needs. Over 160 locations nationwide, and 8 out of 10 customers would recommend to a friend.

Check out ProTyre

The FatMech's Recommended Garage

We recommend ProTyre for all your servicing and repair needs. Over 160 locations nationwide, and 8 out of 10 customers would recommend to a friend.

Check out ProTyre

All this means is that it’s time to service the car, and it’s reminding you that it wants an engine oil and filter change. This means it’s either been a year since you last had your car serviced, or that you’ve done around 20,000 miles and the car is reminding you that it’s time to change the oil soon.

However, you might be wondering how to reset the service indicator after changing the oil, and in this article we’re going to show you how to do just that.

Resetting the Vauxhall Meriva service light

Vauxhall Meriva A (first generation)

For this generation, resetting the service light is easy. Simply follow the steps below:

1. Switch off the engine.
2. Hold the TRIP button on the dashboard.
3. Turn the ignition on – but don’t start the engine.
4. Keep the TRIP button held and it will start to flash. It will reset and show you how long you have until you have to reset the light again.

Vauxhall Meriva B (second generation)

If you have the advanced display model, you’ll need to use the indicator (turn signal) stalk to reset the oil light. If you don’t, you’ll need to use a combination of the brake and the TRIP button.

Advanced display:

1. Switch off the engine.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Go to the “oil life” section of your screen. You will need to press the menu button on the indicator stalk. You’ll see then a picture of an oil pan, with a marker telling you how much life is left in your oil.
4. To clear this, press the clear button (on the end of the stalk.) You’ll hear a beep and the oil life will go to 100%.

Basic display:

1. Switch off the engine.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Press the TRIP button until you see a % oil life figure.
4. Put your foot on the brake and hold it.
5. Press and hold the TRIP button again and wait until you hear a beep. The oil life will reset to 100%.

What does the spanner light mean on a Vauxhall Meriva?

The spanner light is exactly the same as a Code 82, and it means your engine needs a service. Don’t just reset the light – if you’re taking your car to a garage they should reset the service indicator for you, but if you’ve serviced your car yourself, you should follow the procedure above to reset the service indicator.

How do you reset the engine management light?

There are a few methods to do this – although in all honesty if you have an engine management light on you shouldn’t be trying to reset it, you should be taking it to a garage to be inspected.

Firstly you can try to do a code clear with an OBD reader. This will usually make any lights on the dash go out unless the issue is a recurring one, in which case the engine management light will come straight back.

If this doesn’t work, one thing you can do is try to find out the fault codes, as this will allow you to remove them with a proper diagnostic machine.

1. Press the brake and accelerator all the way down.
2. Turn the ignition on but not the engine.
3. The engine light on the dashboard should now start to flash.
4. There will be a sequence of numbers flashing. Pauses between numbers will be small, and pauses between codes will be longer. The number of flashes needs to be counted and therefore you can determine the fault code.

Once you have the fault code you can try to clear it with a proper diagnostic machine. If this doesn’t work you’ll need to get the car looked at either by Vauxhall themselves, or by a local independent garage that you trust.

Also Read: Understanding Code 82 in Vauxhall Mokka: A Comprehensive Guide

Will a spanner light fail an MOT on a Vauxhall Meriva?

As long as it’s just a reminder light, such as the Meriva Code 82 we’ve already discussed, this should not fail an MOT – all it’s doing is reminding you to get the car serviced. Whether you’ve had your car serviced recently isn’t something that’s checked with an MOT.

However, if you’ve got other warning lights such as an engine management light, it’s possible that this will cause your vehicle to fail. If you have an EML on, get your car looked at ASAP.

Can I drive my Vauxhall Meriva with the service light on?

Of course you can – as above, the Code 82 spanner light is only a reminder that you need to service the car, and no adverse effects will happen if you continue to drive the car. Be aware that if you don’t service the car as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can cause premature engine wear and decreased engine performance. When you car tells you it needs a service, get it serviced.

What oil does the Vauxhall Meriva take?

Generally a 5W-30 grade oil will be appropriate across the range of Meriva A and B variants. Be aware that you should double-check this with the retailer before purchasing the oil you think you need – most motor factors and oil retailers will have registration checks that you can perform to ensure that you are buying the correct oil for your car.

Check out some of our other engine related articles!

Also Read: Vauxhall/Opel Astra Code 82 – How to fix it

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Don’t worry there are easy troubleshooting steps you can take. In this post, we’ll show you how to diagnose your ABS and Brake light issues and get rid of the problem for good!  

Is it Safe To Drive With ABS And Brake Light On?

Both the brake light and the ABS light will turn on your vehicle’s dashboard if there is a problem with the anti-lock braking system. 

So, is it risky to drive with the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the brake light activated? 

Driving with both the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the brake light on is dangerous because you will not have the added safety that the ABS offers. 

Also read: Why Ford F150 Interior Lights Won’t Turn On?

If you have to make an emergency stop, your stopping distance will be longer than usual, your wheels will lock up, and you won’t have any control over the steering of the vehicle while you are braking. 

Why Do ABS And Brake Lights Come On At The Same Time?

Two distinct lights have two distinct meanings.

The BRAKE indicator has always signaled that the brakes are malfunctioning. 

This warning light typically comes on when your brake fluid is low or when your parking brake is activated. 

However, on some vehicles, it can immediately light up to warn of an issue elsewhere in the system if there is an ABS fault.

The ABS light is not like the BRAKE light since it is normally managed by a computer component. 

This warning light indicates that there is a problem with the anti-lock braking system, and it is usually accompanied by error codes that may be read by the owner or a technician to determine where the problem lies.

The switches on each lamp are activated by separate switches. Both groups share some of these characteristics, while others have their own. 

Let’s examine the reason behind each lamp’s lighting. 

ABS LIGHT

• Broken wire in the wheel’s speed sensor. 

• Poor battery voltage. 

• Defective anti-lock brake system module. 

• Damaged wheel bearing. 

BRAKE LIGHT

• The brake pads are low. 

• Disengaged brakes for parking. 

• The brake fluid level is dangerously low.

Warning lights for the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the brake system (Brake) both coming on at the same time indicate a critical malfunction with the vehicle’s braking system, making it unsafe to proceed with driving. 

How To Fix it

Here’s how to fix both of these:

ABS Light

If your vehicle’s ABS warning light comes on, it’s because there’s an issue with the brakes.

If the ABS warning indicator comes on, it will remain on. No matter how one interprets the reading. Resetting the anti-lock brake system can help. 

To explain how:  

1. Turn the key but DO NOT start the engine.  

2. Simply flip it to the “on” position, and your car’s dashboard lights will begin to light.

3. Press the gas pedal down three times rapidly. Please check your dashboard in a moment.

4. Start the vehicle and double-check the dashboard.

Also read: Can You Change Oil Filter Without Changing Oil?

The procedure of resetting is finished at this moment. This should force your ABS to reset, which should allow all of the settings to align and start functioning normally. 

If the ABS warning light remains illuminated after attempting to reset it, something is amiss with the system. 

Brake Light

On the other side, here are some potential solutions to the problem with your BRAKE LIGHT being on: 

• Make sure you have enough brake fluid. 

• Release the parking brake. 

• Keep your brake sockets clean.

• Put in new light bulbs.

• Take out the blown fuses and replace them. 

• Verify that the brake light switch is not broken.

• Take out the car’s battery.

• Ensure that the brake pedal is properly pressing the switch. 

However, if you are aware of the potential causes for why your brake light remains illuminated, it will be easy to isolate the source and troubleshoot accordingly.

Conclusion

The most sensible course of action is to have a professional mechanic inspect the brakes.

If the ABS and Brake Lights come on together in your vehicle, you need to get it checked out by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.

Regular maintenance can help you prevent having to pay for more expensive repairs in the future. 

Check out some more of our electrical related articles!

Taking your truck into the shop for repairs is a solution, but doing so is usually time-consuming and expensive.

This post will provide you with some possible explanations as to why your interior lights will not turn on, as well as guidelines on how to resolve the issue along with some FAQs.

Lets get started!

Why F150 Interior Lights Won’t Turn On

If your F150 interior lights won’t turn on, here are some of the most common reasons why.

Also Read: New Alternator But Lights Still Flicker

Blown Fuse

If you have a blown fuse, it’s likely because your fuse box is old or not properly grounded. 

You’ll need to replace yours before you can get any other repairs done on your truck. 

Less Power

The interior lights aren’t getting power from the batteries. 

This can happen if you’re using an aftermarket bulb inside of your vehicle that doesn’t have enough power for its internal circuitry, causing them to burn out after a few uses or months of use.  

Damaged Fuse Box

The fuse box has been damaged by water leaking into it or debris getting stuck in it. 

If this is the case, then it could be that one of the fuses has become wet and corroded, which will cause it to blow after being triggered by an electrical circuit that needed to be powered up due to another circuit needing power (such as turning on an interior light).

Wiring Problem

If all else fails and your F150 interior lights won’t turn on, there could be a wiring problem inside your vehicle. 

In this situation, hire an experienced mechanic who can diagnose the issue and fix any wiring issues. 

How To Fix Interior Lights in F150

The control button for the doors is located on the same console as the button that turns both devices on (manual page 135). 

The light comes on even when it’s turned off.

If you push the individual lights on the center console and they do not come on when you do so, there is a problem with the vehicle that needs to be taken to the dealer.

Having said that, lets check out one more thing:

You can adjust the level of the interior ambient lighting by pressing the ambient light button, which is located on the left side of the steering wheel (for more information, see page 136 of the manual).

First, you should try increasing the amount of light, and you should also check to make sure that the lighting was NOT initially set to its lowest setting. 

If that too doesn’t work, we’d suggest taking it to the dealer.

Also Read: Why are there bubbles on oil dipstick?

Check out some more of our electrical related articles!

In this blog post, we’ll give you a few possible reasons why you are experiencing new alternator but lights still flicker, as well as their respective solutions.

Lets get started!

Table of Contents

• Can An Alternator Make Your Lights Flicker?
• What Causes Flickering Lights?
  • Blown Fuses
  • Dying Battery
  • Loose Connections
  • Failing Alternator 
  • Faulty Wiring Harnesses or Connectors
• How To Fix Headlight Flickering 
  • Check the Bulbs
  • Check All Connections
  • Check the Alternator
  • Examine the Wire Fuse Panel

Can An Alternator Make Your Lights Flicker?

The alternator is an essential part of your vehicle’s electrical system that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The alternator uses a spinning rotor called an armature to generate electrical current, which then charges the battery and supplies power to other components in your vehicle.

It’s possible for a bad alternator to cause flickering lights because it doesn’t produce enough power for all of your vehicle’s devices at once. When you turn on accessories like headlights or windshield wipers while driving at night, they may dim or flicker as they drain more power than the alternator can produce at one time.

What Causes Flickering Lights?

Here are some of the reason why even with a new alternator why lights would flicker:

Blown Fuses

This is the most common reason for flickering lights in cars. If a fuse blows, it’s usually because something is drawing too much electricity through it. The easiest way to check this is to check all of your fuses with an electrical tester (available at any auto parts store). If you find one that’s blown out, replace it with a new one of the same amperage rating (printed on the fuse).

Dying Battery

If your battery is old and dying, it may not have enough power to keep the lights on at all times. This can cause flickering as well as dimming of your headlights when you turn on your high beams or when you’re driving over rough terrain or at high speeds.

Loose Connections

Loose connections may cause flickering lights if they’re not making contact with their intended parts or if there’s corrosion present around those connections. A visual inspection will help determine whether there are any loose connections in your vehicle’s electrical system that need attention.

Failing Alternator

If your alternator has gone bad, it won’t be able to produce enough power to run everything properly, which means your headlights might flicker on and off as well as other electrical components that require constant power such as windshield wipers and turn signals.

Faulty Wiring Harnesses or Connectors

If your headlights are flickering when you hit the brakes or turn on your high beams, the problem may be with your wiring harness or connectors. 

Worn out wires can cause excessive resistance which can cause flickering lights and other electrical problems like dimming headlights or an intermittent electrical connection between two parts of the car’s electrical system. 

How To Fix Headlight Flickering

Here’s how to fix flickering lights:

Check the Bulbs

The first thing that you should do is check the bulb. If you have noticed that your headlight bulbs are not working as well as they used to, then it could be because one of them has burnt out. In this case, it is best to replace both bulbs at once so that you don’t experience any further problems later down the line.

Check All Connections

If replacing the bulb doesn’t work or if you have replaced both bulbs and still experience flickering headlights, then you should check all connections in your car’s electrical system for any loose fittings or frayed wires. You may also want to replace any old cables or fuses with new ones if necessary.

Check the Alternator

To check if this is what causes your problem, remove it from its place and inspect it carefully for any signs of damage or corrosion on its surface. If there are any signs of damage on its surface, then replace it immediately as soon as possible because this could cause other problems later on down the road.

Examine the Wire Fuse Panel

If you find that your fuse is blown or broken, then you may want to consider replacing it with a new one. You can purchase new fuses from any auto parts store and replace them yourself or take your car to an auto repair shop and have them replace them for you.

Check out some more of our electrical related articles!