Driving in the dark can be a scary experience, and it can be especially difficult when you notice that the car’s tail lights are still on, even when the car is turned off. This phenomenon is called tail light retention, and it happens because of a sensor in the tail light that’s designed to turn off the light when the vehicle is turned off.
In some cases, this sensor may not work as intended, leaving the tail lights on even after the car has been turned off. If this happens to you, don’t worry – there’s usually a simple solution.
What Causes Car Tail Lights to Stay On When Off?
When your car’s tail lights are turned off, the electrical system should turn them off, too. However, sometimes the tail lights may stay on for a few minutes after you turn them off. This is because the car’s battery may still be supplying power to the tail light switch.
How to Fix a Car Tail Light That Stay on When Off
If you turn your car off and the tail light still stays on, there may be a problem with the car’s electrical system. In most cases, the culprit is a faulty battery. If you’ve tried replacing the battery and the light still won’t go off, your car’s electrical system may need to be repaired.
What to Do if Your Car Tail Lights Won’t Turn Off
If your car’s tail lights won’t turn off even when the car is turned off, there may be a problem with the switch. Occasionally this switch can become corroded and stop working. If the switch is broken, you’ll need to replace it. If the switch is just dirty, you can clean it with a damp cloth and acetone or soap.