AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Question # 1 How many light bulbs are on a modern vehicle? Taillights – 8 Front – 6 Side - 4 Interior – 15 IP & Controls – 22 – 24 Total - 56

Lamps Double and single tungsten filaments Filament is in a vacuum

Lamp Ratings TradeDesign Design Wattage NameVoltage Amperage

Types of Headlights Sealed Beam – Used between 1939 – 1975 Halogen – Bulb filled with halogen, Burns hotter, lasts longer Composite – fixed housing with replaceable bulb HID – High Intensity Discharge – Light emitted by a spark

HID Brighter Wider & deeper field of vision Use 37% less power Last up to 100,00 miles * As compared to Halogen bulbs

HID Separate Ballast – produces 80v Ark tube (bulb) –filled with Xenon gas Electrons excite salts in Xenon gas creating the ark which produces light

Headlight Switches Controls driving, parking and IP illumination (dimming) Locations – On dash or steering column Separate switch for high beam activation

Low Beam Circuit

High Beam Circuit

Exterior Lighting Taillights – Contain parking, brake, turn signals, backup, license plate lights Can be housed in one unit or in several units Incandescence bulbs or LED Separate 3 rd brake light asm. - CHMSL Side Markers – Part of parking lights circuit, makes vehicle visible from the side Fog Lights – Can be clear or yellow, factory or aftermarket, controlled by separate switch

Interior Lighting Courtesy Lights – Trunk, glove box, under hood, roof & floor lighting Ip & Panel Lighting – Illuminate gauges and controls with dimmable lighting