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LED Headlight Bulbs: Want to Upgrade Gen2 Package#3

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by ydpplqbd, Dec 6, 2019.

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  1. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Hi all, I am looking to upgrade my 2006 Prius Package #3 (which has the standard headlight according to the 2006 Prius brochure - namely, halogen headlamps rather than HID headlamps) to led headlamps (AKA headlights). Link to 2006 brochure (standard headlight is specified on p. 4 of the 2006 Prius brochure while HID headlight begins to be specified for package #6 and above, see page 6 of same brochure). Link to the referenced brochure: http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Toyota/Prius/Toyota_US%20Prius_2006.pdf

    I am unable to find a schematic for the circuit (any assistance would be greatly appreciated). My understanding of the headlight specifications for my 2006 Prius Package #3 is as follows:

    1. two ("2") low beam halogen bulbs for left and right sides;
    2. two ("2") high beam halogen bulbs for left and right sides;
    3. a ballast (or maybe two ballast) is utilized in providing electrical power to all of the bulbs listed above in "1" and "2";
    4. led upgrade involves eliminating the ballast for the low beam circuits and retaining the ballast for the high beam circuits;
    5. I am unable to determine whether my Prius has auto-leveling headlights (AKA headlamps in the Toyota sales brochure);

    Please provide comments as I want to understand the electrical wiring completely before I order the led bulb kit.

    Does anyone have a recommendation of an led bulb kit that they can recommend (I would prefer to purchase off eBay or Amazon)?

    Many thanks (in advance).

    PS I tried looking for the above info on the website but I was unable to find it.
     
    #1 ydpplqbd, Dec 6, 2019
  2. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    If you have standard headlights, not HID, all you do is swap the bulb to an LED bulb. I’m running VLED V3 LED and they are BRIGHT. I had them in my gen 3 and sold them to get the set for my gen 2. Google Vleds.


    iPhone ?
     
    #2 Toddwilks, Dec 6, 2019
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  3. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    12062019_headlight_bulbs_9003.JPG
    According top Rockauto.com, my 2006 Prius package #3 with the halogen bulbs uses a 9003 bulb. Additionally, the 9003 bulb contains both the low and high beam. See: https: //www. rockauto. com/en/catalog/toyota,2006,prius,1.5l+l4+electric/gas,1432870,electrical-bulb+&+socket,headlamp+bulb,11701

    I am unable to find the VLED V3 LED headlamp bulb as a replacement for the 9003 bulb. Do you have a link to the VLED V3 LED 9003 headlamp bulb?
     
    #3 ydpplqbd, Dec 6, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2019
  4. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Use the fitment selector at the top of the VLED homepage to select your car make and model/light type. It will direct you to the correct LED bulb.
     
    #4 dolj, Dec 6, 2019
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  5. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    These are what I’m running


    MICRO EVOLUTION HIGH/LOW H4 9003 - H4 9003 HB2 - Dual Beam Headlights - Shop By Application


    iPad ?
     
    #5 Toddwilks, Dec 6, 2019
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  6. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Thanks!!!
     
    #6 ydpplqbd, Dec 6, 2019
  7. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Thanks for the link.

    I checked out the above link for the Micro Evolution LED H4 9003 bulbs. The pricing at the linked site was $175 ("a") for a pair of bulbs. Additionally, I believe I would need to also order two ("2") error cancellers at $15/piece (or $30 ("b") total). According to the site, pre 2007 Toyotas (including Prius) require error cancellers in order to prevent flicker and to ensure high beam indicator working properly. Thus, I am looking at a total of $205 ("a+b").

    Will my 2006 Prius require error cancellers regardless of brand of led chosen?

    How does the error canceller work?

    ETA: $5 USPS shipping available. Also, 20% off orders of more than $200 (code: WM20). Thus, my $205 order becomes $164 (plus $5 shipping) after application of the discount code.
     
    #7 ydpplqbd, Dec 7, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2019
  8. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    I have no idea how the error cancel works. I would be more concerned with how an LED replacement would focus in the lens. You don't want bright light blinding oncoming traffic.
     
    #8 George W, Dec 7, 2019
  9. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    IMHO, the best method for determining whether an LED replacement bulb will blind other drivers is to read the reviews. Additionally, some of the bulbs have a a set screw arrangement that allows the bulb to be clocked.

    Please let me know how you would go about determining whether a particular LED 9003 bulb is likely to blind oncoming drivers.

    Remember the error cancel capacitors are supposed to cure: i.) flicker; and ii.) hi beam indicator (little blue dash light) failure after 9003 LED bulb install. I would say that all three issues are all important issues: i.) flicker; ii.) hi beam indicator (little blue dash light) failure; and iii.) blinding other drivers due to bulb characteristic.
     
    #9 ydpplqbd, Dec 7, 2019
  10. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    UPDATE OF MY ORIGINAL POSTING

    Hi all, I am looking to upgrade my 2006 Prius Package #3 (which has the standard headlight according to the 2006 Prius brochure - namely, halogen headlamps rather than HID headlamps) to led headlamps (AKA headlights). Link to 2006 brochure (standard headlight is specified on p. 4 of the 2006 Prius brochure while HID headlight begins to be specified for package #6 and above, see page 6 of same brochure). Link to the referenced brochure: http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Toyota/Prius/Toyota_US%20Prius_2006.pdf

    I am unable to find a schematic for the circuit (any assistance would be greatly appreciated). My updated understanding of the headlight specifications for my 2006 Prius Package #3 is as follows:

    1. total of two ("2") 9003 halogen bulbs (one for left side and one for the right side). Each bulb handles both high and low beam functions;
    2. a ballast (or maybe two ballast) is utilized in providing electrical power to both bulbs listed above in "1";
    3. led upgrade involves retaining the ballast for both the low and high beam circuits;
    4. I am unable to determine whether my Prius has auto-leveling headlights (AKA headlamps in the Toyota sales brochure);

    Does anyone have a recommendation of an led bulb kit that they can recommend (I would prefer to purchase off eBay or Amazon)?

    Many thanks (in advance).

    PS This is an update of my original posting to this thread.
     
    #10 ydpplqbd, Dec 7, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2019
  11. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    The VLED setup is ONE BULB for both high and low.


    iPhone ?
     
    #11 Toddwilks, Dec 7, 2019
  12. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Agreed!!!

    ETA: same configuration as stock halogen setup (namely, one bulb that handles both low and high beams - thus, two bulbs total, one for left and one for right side).
     
    #12 ydpplqbd, Dec 7, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2019
  13. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    The Touring package, with the HID lamp, has a separate hi-beam.
     
    #13 George W, Dec 7, 2019
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  14. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Agreed!!!

    My understanding is that HID headlamps were included with packages #6, 7 and 8 for 2006 (presumably these are all touring packages)..
     
    #14 ydpplqbd, Dec 7, 2019
  15. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    A ballast is used only on the HID headlights, so your car does not have them. You may be confused with relays, and relays are nothing out of the ordinary.
    As per info above, you do not have ballasts. In any case, it is highly unlikely a HID ballast could be reused for LED.
    No, your car will not have auto-levelling, as this is a feature of the HID install, which your car does not have.
     
    #15 dolj, Dec 8, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2019
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  16. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Many thanks for straightening out my erroneous understanding of the Gen2 halogen headlight system!!!!

    This is exactly the type of info that I was looking for before doing this upgrade. I am still looking for an electrical schematic for the Gen2 (preferably 2006) halogen (AKA base model) headlight system. Any help with this schematic would be appreciated.
     
    #16 ydpplqbd, Dec 8, 2019
  17. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The electrical schematics are found under the EWD (electrical wiring diagram) tab on Toyota's technical information site (more info). Also, there may have been a PDF somebody shared with the 2006 repair manual with the EWD tacked on at the end, if there's still a working link to it anywhere.

    I put LED bulbs in my Gen 3 and I've been very happy with the beam properties (cutoff hard and flat enough to serve dinner on). But the Gen 3 halogen headlights are a projector design. Gen 2 used a reflector design, and the LED bulbs (at least the ones I bought) explicitly recommend them only for projector-style fixtures.

    The ones I bought also severely trash radio reception. Radio listening is now a daytime-only pastime for me, when the headlights are off.

    One day I mean to see if I can improve that with some combination of extra shielding, ferrites, etc., but I still haven't gotten around to it.
     
    #17 ChapmanF, Dec 8, 2019
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  18. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Excellent explanation of Gen2 Halogen Headlamp Low-Beam/High-Beam Operation
    Reposted from Gen2 Thread entitled "LED headlights", posting author: Peter Fanelli,
    post: 2820293, member: 99799
    LED headlights | Page 3 | PriusChat


     
    #18 ydpplqbd, Dec 9, 2019
  19. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Pulled the trigger on H4/9003/HB2 Hi/Lo led bulbs from Amazon called KOOMTOOM for $32 for the pair. Excellent white light, no blinding and great pattern.

    PS I used error cancelled from Amazon which were pretty much generic. LED lights work w/o flicker. And, hi beam dash indicator still works.




    AnyCar
    4.2 out of 5 stars 27Reviews
    KOOMTOOM Mini Led Bulbs H4 Hi Lo Headlight Kits, 9003 HB2 Led Headlight Bulbs 5000K CREE Led Chip 360 Degree Beam Pattern 55W 8000Lm 1 Year Warranty
     
    #19 ydpplqbd, Dec 23, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2019
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