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Jerry Data & Research
Headlight Closure Relay Replacement Cost Estimate
Headlight Closure Relay Replacement Cost Estimate
Worried you might overpay for your headlight closure relay replacement? Use Jerry’s GarageGuard to get fair cost estimate for your headlight closure relay replacement.
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John Davis
Expert Automotive Writer
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content
Edited by Jessica Barrett, Senior Car & Insurance Editor
What's on this page?
- How much does it cost to replace a headlight closure relay?
- Where can I get my headlight closure relay replaced?
- How will a mechanic replace my headlight closure relay?
- What happens if I don’t replace my headlight closure relay?
- What is a headlight closure relay?
- Can I replace my headlight closure relay myself?
- FAQs
- Meet Our Experts
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How much does it cost to replace a headlight closure relay?
It costs an average of $0 to replace a headlight closure relay. That includes $0 for parts and $0 for the mechanic’s labor.
How long does it take to replace a headlight closure relay? It generally takes a certified mechanic about 0.0 hours to replace a headlight closure relay. Your mechanic will inspect your vehicle to confirm whether a replacement is necessary, then install the new relay if the current one is faulty.
Here’s an overview of headlight closure relay replacement costs for different vehicles:
How did we estimate these prices?
Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.
How did we estimate these prices?
Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.
See fair price estimates for popular cars
What parts do I need for my headlight closure relay replacement and how much do those parts cost?
In many cases, you’ll only need the headlight closure relay itself for replacement—but you may need to buy additional parts if you’ve discovered other problems in the system.
- Headlight closure relay: The headlight closure relay is an important component in ensuring the headlight door motor can open and close the headlight. These parts are often relatively inexpensive and can cost less than $50. We recommend brands like Dorman, ACDelco, and Standard Motor Products.
- Headlight door motor: If your headlight door motor, which helps the headlight door pop open or closed, has also failed, this part can cost upwards of $150. Recommended brands are Dorman, ACDelco, and Cardone.
You can buy headlight closure relay parts for your car from auto parts stores like AutoZone, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts, as well as online retailers such as Amazon and RockAuto.
Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts?
With an OEM headlight closure relay, you can rest assured that it will work perfectly with your vehicle. But OEM parts can be expensive and difficult to find if you have an older or uncommon model.
In this case, a compatible aftermarket option can work just fine—and sometimes, you might even find one that’s of higher quality than the OEM part!
Where can I buy parts for my headlight closure relay replacement?
You may be able to find compatible replacement headlight closure relays at auto parts stores like Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone and NAPA Auto parts. Online retailers like Amazon and RockAuto are also convenient options. Vintage automotive repair or restoration shops may be able to point you in the right direction to locate more obscure parts for certain models.
Where can I get my headlight closure relay replaced?
It can be challenging to find a mechanic to trust with your headlight closure relay replacement, but Jerry's
GarageGuard™
can make it easier. Jerry's GarageGuard™ compares actual hourly rates from more than 2,500 vetted car shops across the country. You’ll be able to see diagnostic rates for the services you need and read reviews from real customers to help make finding a great shop easy.
Check out some of our vetted shops below and download the app to compare car repair quotes in your area.
192 Reviews
Metro Auto Repair LLC.
769 S 3rd Ave, Mount Vernon, NY
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$50118 Reviews
Laurel Heights Automotive
9109 E Gregory Blvd #6407, Raytown, MO
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$50142 Reviews
North Raleigh Automotive
5312 Atlantic Springs Rd, Raleigh, NC
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$120116 Reviews
Hankey Farms Auto Services
7720 Steubenville Pike, Pittsburgh, PA
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$149.95How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.
How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.
How will a mechanic replace my headlight closure relay?
The process of replacing a headlight closure relay is quite similar to a general headlight relay replacement. Here are the general steps the mechanic will usually take:
- Initial inspection: Your mechanic will take a look at your headlight doors and related mechanisms to determine whether it seems like you may have a faulty headlight closure relay, or whether there may be another potential problem.
- Locate the relay: Next, the mechanic will take a look at your fuse box to determine the location of the headlight closure relay.
- Remove and replace the headlight closure relay: Once located, the mechanic can remove the old headlight closure relay and replace it with a new one.
- Headlight test: Finally, the mechanic will test the headlights and headlight doors to ensure they’re working properly again.
What happens if I don’t replace my headlight closure relay?
If your car has headlight doors but your headlight closure relay stops working, your headlights won’t be able to open or close. If they’re stuck shut, that means you won’t be able to drive your car safely in evening or low-visibility conditions, putting the safety of you and others at risk.
What is a headlight closure relay?
A headlight closure relay is an electronic component that helps the headlights open and close—but few cars have them these days.
Without a headlight closure relay, you may not be able to open up your headlights when you need to use them. This can be dangerous at night and in low-visibility conditions.
When should I replace the headlight closure relay on my car?
You may need to replace your headlight closure relay if you notice the following common symptoms:
- Headlights won’t open: If your headlight closure relay has failed, your headlights will no longer pop up or the covers won’t be able to open.
- Headlights won’t close: If your headlights stay stuck open, there may be an electrical problem related to the headlight closure relay. If your headlights themselves are still able to turn on, this could make a headlight closure relay problem likelier.
- Headlight covers work inconsistently: If your headlights only open and close some of the time, or they do so on their own, there might be an electrical problem somewhere in the system. A faulty headlight closure relay would be one potential culprit.
Keep in mind: These symptoms could also be connected to problems other than a faulty headlight closure relay. A certified mechanic should be able to help you determine the root cause of your vehicle’s specific problem.
How often should a headlight closure relay be replaced?
A headlight closure relay could last the life of your vehicle—but like any electrical component, it’s not immune to failing prematurely.
If you own a vintage car that sports headlight doors, you might have to replace the headlight closure relay at some point to keep using them.
Can I replace my headlight closure relay myself?
Drivers with moderate technical know-how might be able to replace headlight closures on their own. If you don’t feel confident in your knowledge or ability, reach out to a certified mechanic to take care of the job for you.
Vintage car owners may want to track down a mechanic who specializes in work on the specific make or model. They may have better access to the part you’ll need—and the experience to install it properly.
How much does it cost to replace a headlight closure relay?
Headlight closure relays themselves can be relatively inexpensive and you might be able to find a replacement part for under $50. When it comes to finding compatible parts, some vintage cars may be more difficult to shop for than others.
If you have your headlight closure relay replaced at an auto shop, you’ll need to account for labor costs, too. This could increase your total replacement cost to between $100 and $150 or more.
What are the symptoms of a bad headlight closure relay?
If your headlight covers won’t open or close, or if they work inconsistently, a bad headlight closure relay could be the source of your problem. Those with some technical know-how may be able to test a relay with a multimeter—otherwise, a certified mechanic can inspect your headlights and relays for you.
What is a headlight closure relay?
The headlight closure relay is an electrical component that powers a motor to help vehicles with retracting headlights open and close. While they can often last the life of a vehicle, they can be prone to early failure.
FAQs
Meet Our Experts
John Davis
Car Expert
Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience
John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.
Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.
Jessica Barrett
Car Expert
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.
Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
Kathleen Flear
Car Expert
Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.
*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.
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