Headlights

The obvious first question is:
Are you absolutely sure that the bulbs are really going bad........as opposed to a loose or corroded connector that starts working again for a while after it is unplugged and then re-connected ??

Beyond that, it will depend on what kind of headlight system is involved.
The guess would be different for a HID system, for instance.

 

OK, let me re-phrase:
Have you actually TESTED the "failed" bulbs or just blindly replaced them ?
I don't know what kind of bulbs they are but if you are going to try and fix the problem yourself YOU need to find out.

 

For some reason the drivers side bulbs go out more frequently than the passenger side. A simple search will reveal lots of info.

 

Might be this. see T-SB-0204-12

T-SB-0204-12_ 2010 2011 Prius Headlight issue.pdf - Google Drive

 

I did the TSB on mine and no problems so far.

note 3

 

I am experiencing a headlight failure on the driver side of my 2010 Prius III - but the bulb appears fine, no luck with a new bulb does not resolve the issue and the horn works (connected fuse, its fine). Extremely frustrating.

 

There was a recent poster who was working on a Gen II.
He actually pulled apart the connector and (re)soldered the red/black wire pair inside the headlight.
The crimps were not properly keeping the connection.

Not sure if that will fix your problem, but thought it might be worth a go if you have the skills.

 

Dealer charged $50 and said I had a high beam headlight in there.


iPhone ?

 

That is unlikely. The 9005 highbeam bulb base (tabs) is different, and the blade contacts in the bulb connector are spaced wider apart than the H11 lowbeam bulbs. You wouldn't be able to install the 9005 bulb in the lowbeam position, even if you tried.

 

I agree. Very unlikely.


iPhone ?

 

I have a 2005 Prius and have had the same issue. The first time I replaced the bulb at a cost of $60, the second and third times, before replacing the bulb, I cleaned the base contact of the bulb as well as the bulb socket, with a little CRC electrical contact cleaner and a partially stripped Q-tip, and both times the bulb worked fine. As always wear gloves while handling the bulb.

 

Took my 2011 Prius 4 to Antioch Toyota.
They wanted $130 for a 51K service (oil, filter, rotate tyres, check fluids).
They also wanted $93 to change the driver side headlight low-beam bub.
A new bulb $24, the rest labor.
Youtube indicates the driver side bulb takes about 2 or 3 minutest to replace.
They were not interested in T-SB-0204-12 Headlamp Durability Enhancement.

Finally, they asked "Do you have an appointment?"
That's odd, they never used to ask that when I bought my new Prius 4 in 2011.
Without an appointment, it would talk all day.

I bought the replacement bulb for $24.
Then left after expressing my disappointment with Antioch Toyota Service.
And complained to a Internet Sales Reps who works for the person who sold me the car.

So I went to Spee Dee Lube on Hillcrest where is used to take my other cars.
Spee Dee changed the oil (synthetic) and filter for $79.95.
And they installed the new head light bulb for $15.
I was on my way in less than 30 minutes.

It's unlikely that I will be doing any future business with Antioch Toyota.

 

Never tried Antioch Toyota but I heard bad things about their sales department. I work in Pittsburg so it crossed my mind when I first moved out here but hadn't heard good things.

Have a coworker who was looking for a van and small car. The salesman he used wouldn't give him the time of day. Ended up going to the Honda dealer and got a Fit and Odyssey instead.

There are slim pickings on good Toyota dealers in the east bay and in solano county. Best one I found was Toyota Vallejo. And they only charge $20 on Sunday's for labor on the oil and filter if you bring you own oil. Total cost for a synthetic oil change that way is $45 out the door.

Do you DIY? If so, the headlights bulbs are very easy to change. The YouTube videos are right.

 

...

 

^^^
That's disappointing to hear.
Sounds like Toyota is no better than GM.
The reasons I chose Toyota was QUALITY and SERVICE.
My mistake.