AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING SYSTEMS

							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
Trade      Design     Design    Wattage
Name       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