Tail Light Circuit Board Repair Costs
BMW E46 3-Series (1999-2006)
Typical repair time: 1-1.5 hours
Expected cost: $125-$187.50
Common issues: LED failure, water damage, burnt traces
Mercedes W211 E-Class (2003-2009)
Typical repair time: 1.5-2 hours
Expected cost: $187.50-$250
Common issues: Corroded contacts, failed LED modules, water damage
Cadillac CTS (2008-2014)
Typical repair time: 1-1.5 hours
Expected cost: $125-$187.50
Common issues: LED failure, circuit board cracks
Dodge Charger (2015-2023)
Typical repair time: 1.5-2 hours
Expected cost: $187.50-$250
Common issues: LED module failure, moisture damage
Chevrolet Corvette C7 (2014-2019)
Typical repair time: 2-2.5 hours
Expected cost: $250-$312.50
Common issues: Complex LED array failures, control module issues
Note: These are typical repair times and costs. Actual costs may vary depending on the extent of damage and specific repairs needed. All repairs include thorough testing and come with our standard warranty.
Tail Light Circuit Board Repair Guide
BMW E46 3-Series (1998-2006)
Common Issue:Failed solder joints causing intermittent or non-functioning tail lights
Repair Steps:
- Remove tail light assembly from vehicle
- Disassemble outer lens and housing
- Remove circuit board from housing
- Inspect for cracked or failed solder joints
- Reflow existing solder joints with fresh solder
- Reinforce bulb holder connections
- Test functionality before reassembly
- Reassemble and install
BMW E53 X5 (2000-2006)
Common Issue:Burnt traces and failed connections causing partial lighting failure
Repair Steps:
- Remove tail light assembly
- Separate lens from housing
- Extract circuit board
- Clean oxidation from contact points
- Repair burnt traces with jumper wires
- Reinforce all solder joints
- Apply protective coating
- Verify functionality
- Reassemble components
Mercedes W211 E-Class (2003-2009)
Common Issue:Corroded contacts and failed LED modules
Repair Steps:
- Remove tail light unit
- Open housing carefully
- Remove circuit board
- Clean all contact points
- Replace failed LED modules
- Resolder weak connections
- Apply contact grease to prevent future corrosion
- Test all functions
- Reassemble with new housing seal
Audi A4 B7 (2004-2008)
Common Issue:Failed LED drivers and broken traces
Repair Steps:
- Remove tail light assembly
- Separate lens from housing
- Remove circuit board
- Test LED driver components
- Replace failed components
- Repair any broken traces
- Reinforce solder connections
- Verify proper operation
- Reassemble with new seals
Important Notes:
- All repairs include a thorough cleaning of components
- We use high-quality, lead-free solder
- Each repair includes water-resistance testing
- All repaired boards undergo extensive testing before return
- Typical turnaround time is 1-3 business days
Disclaimer: Repair procedures may vary depending on the specific condition of your circuit board. Additional steps or components may be required in some cases.
Understanding Tail Light Circuit Boards
A Tail Light Circuit Board is a crucial electronic component that controls and manages the various lighting functions in your vehicle's tail lights. These circuit boards are responsible for:
- Controlling brake light illumination
- Managing turn signal functions
- Operating reverse lights
- Running light functionality
Basic Function:
The tail light circuit board receives electrical signals from your vehicle's various controls (brake pedal, turn signal lever, etc.) and distributes the appropriate power to the correct light bulbs or LED arrays in your tail light assembly.
Modern Features:
In newer vehicles, tail light circuit boards often include:
- LED driver circuits
- Sequential turn signal controls
- Dynamic lighting patterns
- Fault detection capabilities
Importance:
A properly functioning tail light circuit board is essential for:
- Vehicle safety
- Legal compliance
- Effective communication with other drivers
- Optimal visibility during night driving
When to Replace:
Consider replacing your tail light circuit board if you experience:
- Intermittent light function
- Complete light failure
- Incorrect light patterns
- Moisture damage
Maintaining a properly functioning tail light circuit board is crucial for both safety and legal compliance. If you notice any issues with your tail lights, it's important to have them inspected by a qualified technician.
Common Failure Symptoms of Tail Light Circuit Board Components
Common Tail Light Circuit Board Issues & Maintenance Guide
LED Tail Light Circuit Boards
Signs of Failure:
- Partial or complete LED section outage
- Flickering lights
- Intermittent function
- Moisture-related corrosion
- Burnt circuit traces
Service Schedule:
No regular maintenance required. Typical lifespan is 5-10 years depending on environmental conditions. Inspect if any LED sections fail or dimming occurs.
Traditional Bulb Circuit Boards
Signs of Failure:
- Corroded contact points
- Burnt socket connections
- Multiple bulb failures
- Melted plastic around sockets
- Loose or broken solder joints
Service Schedule:
Inspect annually for corrosion and loose connections. Clean contact points every 2-3 years. Replace if significant corrosion or heat damage is present.
Sequential Tail Light Circuit Boards
Signs of Failure:
- Incorrect sequence pattern
- Delayed or stuck animation
- Complete pattern failure
- Controller chip malfunction
- Power supply issues
Service Schedule:
Test functionality every 6 months. No regular maintenance required unless issues occur. Average lifespan is 3-7 years.
Smart/Dynamic Tail Light Circuit Boards
Signs of Failure:
- Software glitches
- Communication errors with vehicle systems
- Sensor malfunction
- Erratic behavior
- Failed automatic functions
Service Schedule:
Check for software updates annually. Diagnostic scan recommended every 2 years. Replace if communication errors persist after troubleshooting.
Note: All circuit board maintenance should be performed by qualified technicians. Environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, moisture, and road salt can significantly impact lifespan.
How It Works
- Get a quote online or set-up a time to have your vehicle looked at.
- Pick time slots that work for you, easily, online.
- We will confirm appointments and send reminders.
- Our mechanics bring everything that is needed to you.
- All you have to do is provided a safe area for the work to be performed.
What we need from you
- A safe place to work on your vehicle
- No working on the side of busy roads
- No working on unstable or steep surfaces.
- We do not perform repairs during severe weather.
- Authorization from a property owner or management.
- Repair work done in a parking lot or at your requires permission.
- We do not do repairs in areas restricted by law.
Common Questions
Service Area
Our primary service area is greater Grand Rapids and includes Comstock Park, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming
Our secondary service area is provided by our Belding location and includes: Belding, Greenville, Ionia and the sorrounding areas.
Contact us if you have any questions about where we provide services.
