Replacing HID Headlights on 2007 Prius - Bumper off or not

Hi Rick,

The Toyota repair manual suggests removing the front bumper. However some owners have been able to squeeze their hand in to remove and replace the bulb without going through that trouble. For the passenger side it may be necessary to remove items like the air cleaner snorkel for improved access. Fortunately I have not yet had this problem on my 2004 with 67K miles.

Since you are thinking about DIY you might see if you can remove the cover at the rear of the headlight assembly by squeezing your hand in; after you gain first-hand experience doing this then you can judge whether the dealer's price is worthwhile or not. Good luck.

 

There have been a lot of problems with the Prius HIDs. The problem may not be the bulb, but could also be the controller. Before shelling out your money, I suggest that you contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331 and also file a complaint with NHTSA at Safercar.gov. If enough people complain, maybe Toyota will be forced into a recall for this safety problem. In most posts I've seen, Toyota seems to be willing to pick up part of the costs (probably parts).

 

I changed my HID's with NON oem bulbs and i didnt take out the bumper, the only issue is the spring clips.

 

I replaced both headlamp bulbs on my '05 yesterday by following the instructions in the Owner's Manual, page 305. Replacement did not require removing the bumper. However, it did require removing the front shroud above the grill, then the air intake snorkel on the passenger side. Access to the passenger side lamp was relatively quick and easy. On the other hand, access to the driver side lamp is much easier with a slender hand, very long fingers, and a lot of patience. The major problem is replacing the rubber shrouds so that all three electrical prongs are exposed for the connector.

 

X2, I recomend removing the bumper. while attempting to set the spring it flew off its clip down into the car and attempts at locating were futile. Go to your dealer and ask them if you can just buy the spring/clip for the housing.......

 

No need to take off the bumper cover. Takes about 45 minutes to do both, without taking it all apart. BUT.... don't use anything but the Philips bulbs. I have been dealing with a supplier who has sent me 3 sets of aftermarket bulbs and they got worse with each set. They suggested that it might be the ballast. A friend had the same problem form the same supplier. He opted for the OEM Philips bulbs after one try. No problems after that. One of his originals was still OK, so I tried it in mine. That one has not gone out since..... hence it is not the ballast. This supplier has the Philips bulbs and they are still cheaper than the dealer pricing. The aftermarket bulb will work in other vehicles using the D4R's such as the Lexus, Avalon, and the Sienna but for some reason they won't keep working in the Prius. There is a glitch in the Prius, probably something to do with the Hybrid electronics. It really should be Toyota's problem, but they refuse to acknowledge that it is.

 

Depends on the size of your hand. It is very tight. Taking off the bumper is not a problem. I opted to replace my hid, horn and fogs all at the time I took off the bumper. I tried with the bumper on and there are plenty of those that did it. It was Waaay easier with the bumper off. Link below on what it is to take off the bmper.

Page 5 shows the bolts to take out and the cover just pulls off. fgoodyear above has a good point. MANY have experienced one light out which is just dumb

http://www.selidori.com/tech/prius/DOC/Tech2006/HO%20-%20Horn.pdf

 

Take off all upper bumper bolts and wheel well bolts. Pull away bumper. Remove 3 headlight bolts. Replace bulbs (s) replace lights and bumper. 30 min. job

 

Luscious Garage | Blog | Prius headlight problem, D4R HID bulbs *still overpriced, not covered under warranty* shows it being done w/o removing the bumper in <3 minutes, for one side.

 

I've seen this. Someone experienced that has done it many times and has small hands can do it easily. I wonder if it's so easy why toyota shows pulling the bumper off in their instructions.

 

Thank you for the Luscious Garage link, sadly at 2000+/- miles away I can't use her services. However, her lamp replacement video confirmed that my interpretation of the Owner's Manual instructions was correct. And the second time I replaced that lamp it took only a few minutes longer than she did.

I'd love to know what her gloves are and where I can get some. I use Latex painters gloves and they snag everything.

 

I use nitryl gloves since I have a skin issue with latex... they also seem tougher

 

Are Nitryl gloves available from chain stores such as Wal-Mart, Lowe's, etc.? I don't believe I've seen them at Home Depot, though I haven't looked in Walgreen's, CVS, etc.

Come to think of it, I also may have skin issues with latex. I recently switched to latex from vinyl because latex are easier to put on, and have begun to notice a rash on the backs of my hands up to the wrists....?

 

Don't know where you'd get them in the states. They're pretty easily availeable here.. look like latex but blue... and cheap too. For some of the Canadians here... check Princess Auto (there's a name of a chain I bet you're unlikely to find in the states

 

Thanks, I found them at Home Depot in a box of 40 under the brand "Grease Monkey". Now that I know what to look for, I'm sure I'll find them in other stores. Interestingly, they are spelled NITRILE in the US

 

The other issue with removing the bulb while on the car is that the cover will be very hard to remove the first time, and you may not be able to exert enough leverage on it. Once it's broken free, subsequent removals are much easier.

 

If you are just changing the HID Bulb (and you have normal size hands) you do NOT need to take the Bumper off.

If you need to replace the HID Ballasts (also called ECU Electrical Control Unit) you will need to remove the bumper.

The Bulb you will need is the D4R/D4S bulb


The Ballast I found a sparkhid.com

you are looking for the "D4R, D4S Denso Ballast Authentic Toyota Brand Koito New" curreltly $99 + $7 shipping.

a lot better then the $400 the Toyota Dealer wants for them.

It is really tricky to get the Ballast installed. The connector that attaches to the bulb is a tight fit. and you need to remove the device that is used to aim the headlights to get it to slide into place.

Hope this helps Just last week i replaced my lights & Ballast.

Robert Steele

 

My hands match my size 16 feet - 8.5" from palm base to middle finger tip.

I do NOT have to remove the bumper cover to swap the bulbs. Nothing removed on the driver's side, at most remove the intake pipe and WW tank on the passenger side. Which is faster than removing the cover.

That being said, I saw so many posts about removing the cover and how it might be difficult, that I did it one day with a ratchet, socket, and screwdriver...in about 3-5 minutes. I was checking to see if my then new 06 used the same ballasts as my 04 (which it does not).

Robert - when I was looking into swapping the headlight housings, I didn't have to remove the height adjuster to pull the ballast from what I can remember (it HAS been 4+ years since I pulled them).

 

I have changed the bulbs out also and find that you really don't need to pay someone an outrageous amount of money for the little time and effort it takes to do it. I now am wanting to change the ballasts out but have not seen any info on how to do this job. Do you know how to do it or know where I can look? I have looked in the manuals but it doesn't cover the ballasts. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks