Ford Taurus Headlamp Relay Costs
The average cost for a Ford Taurus Headlamp Relay Replacement is between $77 - $142. Get an instant quote with our AI repair estimator.
What is a headlamp relay?
A headlamp relay is an integral part of a vehicle's lighting system, designed to control the power sent to the headlamp bulbs. The relay acts as a switch, allowing a low-power circuit to control a higher-power circuit. This helps protect the headlamp switch from overheating due to the high current required by the headlamps. By using a relay, the heavy current needed to illuminate the headlamps is drawn directly from the battery, while the headlamp switch activates the relay with a smaller current. This setup ensures that the switch lasts longer and the headlamps receive adequate power to function efficiently.
Symptoms of a faulty headlamp relay
When a headlamp relay starts to fail, a number of symptoms may become apparent. One of the most common signs is intermittent headlamp functionality, where the headlights may flicker, turn off unexpectedly, or fail to turn on at all. Another symptom is that the high beams or low beams do not operate correctly, often sticking in one mode. Additionally, you might notice that your headlights are dimmer than usual, which can be caused by insufficient power reaching the bulbs due to a failing relay. In more severe cases, a faulty relay could emit a buzzing or clicking noise when attempting to turn the headlights on. Recognizing these symptoms early can help prevent more significant electrical issues within your vehicle.
How urgent is headlamp relay replacement?
Replacing a faulty headlamp relay is fairly urgent, as it directly impacts your ability to drive safely, especially at night or in poor visibility conditions. Non-functioning headlamps can lead to hazardous driving situations, increasing the risk of accidents. While your vehicle might still operate during daylight without well-functioning headlamps, it is crucial to address this repair promptly to ensure safety and compliance with vehicle lighting regulations. Delaying this repair can compromise road safety significantly.
How much does headlamp relay replacement cost?
The cost of replacing a headlamp relay typically ranges from $20 to $85 for the part itself, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. If you choose to have a professional mechanic perform the replacement, labor costs can add an additional $50 to $100, making the total cost approximately $70 to $185. This repair can often be done quickly, reducing the overall labor expense. Vehicle owners comfortable with basic auto repairs might find this a feasible do-it-yourself project, minimizing costs further.
4 FAQs about headlamp relays
- What causes a headlamp relay to fail? Typically, the failure of a headlamp relay can be attributed to age, corrosion, or electrical overload. Environmental factors such as moisture and salt can lead to corrosion, while consistent high currents can eventually wear out the relay contacts, leading to failure.
- Can I drive with a bad headlamp relay? While technically your vehicle can still be driven during daylight hours, it is not advisable to drive without functioning headlamps. This is especially critical during night-time or poor weather conditions when headlamps are essential for safe driving. It is safer to have the relay replaced as soon as possible.
- How can I test if my headlamp relay is faulty? To test a headlamp relay, you can swap it with another similar relay from your vehicle to see if the issue persists. If the headlights work after swapping, the original relay is likely the problem. Alternatively, a multimeter can be used to check for continuity and functionality.
- Are headlamp relays universal or vehicle specific? Headlamp relays are generally vehicle-specific, as they are designed to fit the electrical system of a particular make and model. Always refer to your vehicle's manual or consult with a professional to ensure you get the correct relay for replacement.
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1990 Ford Taurus L4-153 2.5L HSC - Headlamp Relay Costs
Parts: $94.00Labor: $34.00{ "partPrice": 94, "laborPrice": 34, "alldata_id": 1342, "alldata_vehicle_id": 1342, "title": "Headlamp Relay", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Autolamp on/Off Delay", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Relay", "part": [ { "name": "Autolamp On/off Delay System, Relay", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "Contact Dealer for most current part and price information", "partnumber": "FOVY13A025A" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Auto Headlamp", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Relay", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1990, "make": "Ford", "model": "Taurus", "engine": "L4-153 2.5L HSC" }1990 Ford Taurus V6-182 3.0L - Headlamp Relay Costs
Parts: $12.00Labor: $87.00{ "partPrice": 12, "laborPrice": 87, "alldata_id": 1339, "alldata_vehicle_id": 1339, "title": "Headlamp Relay", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Autolamp on/Off Delay", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Relay", "part": [ { "name": "Autolamp On/off Delay System, Relay", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "Contact Dealer for most current part and price information", "partnumber": "FOVY13A025A" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Auto Headlamp", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Relay", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1990, "make": "Ford", "model": "Taurus", "engine": "V6-182 3.0L" }1990 Ford Taurus V6-182 3.0L DOHC SHO - Headlamp Relay Costs
Parts: $96.00Labor: $58.00{ "partPrice": 96, "laborPrice": 58, "alldata_id": 10862, "alldata_vehicle_id": 10862, "title": "Headlamp Relay", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Autolamp on/Off Delay", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Relay", "part": [ { "name": "Autolamp On/off Delay System, Relay", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "Contact Dealer for most current part and price information", "partnumber": "FOVY13A025A" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Auto Headlamp", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Relay", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1990, "make": "Ford", "model": "Taurus", "engine": "V6-182 3.0L DOHC SHO" }1990 Ford Taurus V6-232 3.8L - Headlamp Relay Costs
Parts: $18.00Labor: $30.00{ "partPrice": 18, "laborPrice": 30, "alldata_id": 1340, "alldata_vehicle_id": 1340, "title": "Headlamp Relay", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Autolamp on/Off Delay", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Relay", "part": [ { "name": "Autolamp On/off Delay System, Relay", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "Contact Dealer for most current part and price information", "partnumber": "FOVY13A025A" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Auto Headlamp", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Relay", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1990, "make": "Ford", "model": "Taurus", "engine": "V6-232 3.8L" }