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 RatingsTrade Design Design WattageName Voltage 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 3rd 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