Checking lighting & peripheral systems

Part 1. Preparation and safety

Objective

• Check peripheral lighting systems.

Personal safety

Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:

• Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear
• Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks
• Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs
• Hand protection - such as rubber gloves and barrier cream
• Respiratory equipment - such as face masks and valved respirators

If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.

Safety check

• Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

Points to note

• Be sure to work in a systematic manner or you could miss a faulty bulb or another component.

• A vehicle may have warning lights that will activate only if that circuit is in use. You may need to turn that circuit on to see the warning light. If you are unsure of where these are, ask your supervisor.

Part 2: Step-by-step instruction

1. Check instrumentation
   In a darkened area, turn on the ignition. The dash warning lights should be displayed. Start the engine. If any warning light stays on when the engine is started, it could indicate a problem in one of the car’s safety or mechanical systems. If you are unsure about what any of the warning lights mean, consult the manufacturer’s manual.
2. Check the car horn
   Make sure the car horn is working. If the horn is not working, locate it under the hood with the help of the manufacturer’s manual. Check the wiring to make sure there is a good contact. If necessary, use a DVOM to isolate the fault.
3. Check rear lights
   Have someone stand behind the vehicle to report any problems, then turn the ignition on. Switch on the park lights and tail lights. Do the same for left and right turn indicator lights. Depress the brake pedal to make sure the brake lights work.
4. Check front lights
   With somebody in front of the vehicle, make sure the high and low headlight beams, the park lights, and the turn indicators are all working properly.
5. Check interior lights
   With the interior light switch in the correct position, open the driver’s side door to make sure the interior lights work. If any of these lights do not operate, you may need to replace a bulb, or a fuse. Check the fuse first, using a DVOM to check continuity. If the fuse is at fault you should report this to your supervisor, as there could be a more serious fault in the vehicle’s wiring system.