One of the most common failure modes of relays is poor contact integrity. Over time, the electrical contacts within the relay can become corroded or pitted due to arcing from repetitive high-current operations. This degradation can lead to increased resistance, resulting in a significant voltage drop across the contacts. Symptoms of poor contact integrity often manifest as intermittent operation of the controlled device, leading to confusion for the driver. For example, a malfunctioning headlight relay may cause the headlights to flicker or fail to turn on completely, creating a dangerous situation while driving at night.