Advanced LED Headlamps

False. Everything is serviceable. This issue is whether or not it's worth it. Since it's under warranty, the dealer is simply going to remove and replace the entire assembly. Now could the dealer disassemble the headlight, identify a specific defective part, and then order that specific part? Of course they could. But why would you if you could just replace the whole thing on someone else's dime (Toyota's, not the dealer's)?

FYI, the LED headlamps are on all Prius 5's since 2010.

 

Was there any warning lights on the dash or both of the projects on the one side just went dark?
The Toyota prescribed procedure is R&R. So they are correct.
I hope the other one's lens is in good shape, and not cloudy. Otherwise a new assembly will stick out like a sore thumb.

 

LED price has come down dramatically. You can get 800 lm LED bulbs from Home Depot for less than $10 now. The rest, optics, housing, are not all that different from HID or halogen...

 

I have switched the frequent on/off, and all night lights to LEDs, while exhausting the CFL's in the other fixtures. Love that they are instant on to full brightness, not "blooming" to full brightness over 45 seconds like the CFLs.

 

Not at the dealership level. Toyota lists certain items in the catalog as an assembly, and does not provide individual part numbers for the component pieces. If I don't have a 10 (or 12) digit Toyota/Lexus part number, I can't order the part and must order the larger assembly.

Gen 2 Prii had LED assemblies in the tail lamps. I wasn't able to order those individually, I had to order the entire tail lamp. This is true whether a repair is customer pay, OR warranty. We don't make the catalog, we have to use the tools that are provided to us.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with your point that you can only order what you can order, and in some instances, that's the entire assembly.

My point is that it's easier for the dealership to replace the entire assembly and components, rather than troubleshoot which specific item(s) of the headlamp are still satisfactory. For example, is the $250 (list) headlight control module going to be tested and re-used, or is simply a new one going to be ordered along with the new headlight assembly? The average DIY'er might consider trying to save $250 and transplant the module to the known working headlight to see if the part is still good.

 

If it's a separate part, the dealership is required to troubleshoot the system, and replace the minimum necessary. E.g. they can't replace an HID headlamp assembly with a bad ballast, if the ballast is available separately. The starter contacts went out on my Supra. I had the option to either replace the starter motor, or just the contacts. They recommended replacing the contacts, because the motors almost never failed. Common practice is also to replace the power antenna mast, rather than the whole power antenna.

 

Close to a grand, just for parts? Ouch, we have the LED headlights, joy...

Only mention I could find in Owner's Manual. Pretty low key:

 

I have a P5 with the LEDs. I sure hope I don't have to do a replacement anytime soon.
That cost will totally negate the mpg benefits I'm accumulating BIG TIME!