Brake light out on my prius

Thought that this might be of help to anyone looking for instructions on how to swap out the Tail light assembly. This guy is working with a Gen2 '07 Prius, but it looks pretty much the same as my '04, and he says it should work on any Gen2.

My girl has the car today, and I'm hesitant to remove the assembly without a new one to install, but I'll post more when I try it

Instructable video here:

 

I'm confused. Why is he swapping out the light assy when the bulbs just unplug?

 

1. The plastic exterior shell of the tail light assembly is broken, or
2. The LED stop light is inoperative.

 

In that particular case Ed the Fox, he'd busted up the plastic exterior pretty well.

In my case (and it seems many others...) it's the LED Brake/Stop Lights. When they go, apparently the only way to fix the issue is to replace the entire assembly.

I had this fact confirmed last night at the Toyota Parts Dept local to me (Los Angeles area). It's that way for all Gen2 Prius (and Gen3)....

 

You're confusing what he said with the implication that the brake lights are replaceable incandescently. They are not. They are LED's and can only be replaced by replacing the housing.

 

Those are for the parking, reverse & turn signal lights. None of them are for the brakes.

 

Yes your both right. First time back there with the lamps.

 

I've had a very similar problem with the driver side brake light on a 2005. I pulled the 7.5A fuse and then put it back in. Driver side brake light started working again. Well eventually, the same brake light stopped functioning again. One more time around, I pulled the fuse out and put it back in yet again. Brake light started working again. Hmm.. Obviously this is not fix, just a temp workaround. Not sure why disconnecting the hot side on the circuit would cause it to start working again. I did test for voltage at the tail lamp assembly - should be a blue wire going into a connector on the assembly. Voltage tested good with brake pedal depressed. No voltage otherwise. Still scratching my head over this one.

 

Having damaged a rear light unit I dismantled it to check on the LED's. There are six in total arranged in two banks of three in series with load resistors mounted on a printed circuit in the base of the light unit.

There are also a number of resistors wired in series across the supply on the same printed circuit. My first thoughts were these are there to act as demisters but thinking about this ruled that out since they would only get warm with the brake lights on, usually a short while.

The only other explanation is they act as load buffers to eliminate voltage spikes to the LED's.

John (Britprius)

 

Hi there,
I had dimmed left brake light on my 2004 Gen2, was cause by 2 bad LED diode's.
I did a write up of LED replace. Hope this help.
Gen2 Prius LED brake light replace - DriveHK.com 駕駛國度

 

I have a 2005 prius with the passenger side brake light out. After moving the wiring around 4 of the six leds started working again but much dimmer than the left side. Is this a wiring problem, led problem, or do I need to get the whole assembly replaced?

 

I would look for a used "assembly" since the brake lite is not serviceable. Ebay might be a good place to start.

 

hi all.my brake light was working 5 out of 6 than a week ago it all went out. So after reading around I just bought the left side assembly for 2004 gen2. It arrived today from Tawian made from DEPO. But there is a big problem with it. The Parking light block inside the assembly is moving around. its not fixed in its place like the reverse light or the left turn signal. What were your experiences with these aftermarket tail light? any favorite brand? I am returning it.
thanks

 

You can get a new Toyota OEM tail light assembly off Ebay for a good price. I paid $75.00 with free shipping and received it within 3 days.

 

OEM's starts at 100$ these days. the more time passes the more expansive parts become for 04-05 2 gen. Those tail light made by TYT aftermarket look good. I am thinking of ...

 

eBay link please.

 

Update: Checked out Ebay. Price increased to $90.
Here is the link:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-OEM-TAILLIGHT-TAIL-LIGHT-LAMP-TAILLAMP-TOYOTA-PRIUS-04-05-06-07-08-09-RH-/400572170725?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2005|Make%3AToyota|Model%3APrius|Submodel%3ABase|Engine+-+Liter_Display%3A1.5L&hash=item5d43f641e5&vxp=mtr


Part came VERY well packaged in original Toyota box with lots of cushioning, Arrived in 2-3 days - This was for a right (passenger) side tail light. Installation took about 15 - 20 minutes. Saved a ton of money over what the dealer would charge for the part + installation!

 

I bought mine a week ago here:

this is my second on to order from amazon. the first one was defective. the parking light block inside the tail light assembly was not fixed on its place, and was moving around. so I send it back.
This one from TYC was the right one. Installation about 20 min. savings about 300-350$ -85$ payed for assembly.
When I see how much savings one can do replacing this assembly just by watching a youtube video ... I hate dealers more and more.

 

you have to replace the whole light/lens when one bulb burns out?

 

You have to replace the entire assembly when the brake LEDs decide to stop working.