My family recently added a 2009 with 161k mi to the fleet. It is top of the line (except for leather). Of course it comes with the HIDs. The HIDs are blue (around 7,000 k). They are dim as well. High beams aren't any better, and the fog lights are pretty much just for looks. I can't even tell the fog lights are on when I am driving down the road. We are trying to figure out how to get better light output, especially since we drive down dark country roads alot. I also know that the HIDs on these Gen 2s are plagued with problems. We have thought of four choices so far and are open to suggestions and advice. 1.) Get brighter hid bulbs or ballasts (I am not as knowledgeable with HIDs yet.); 2.) Do a LED retrofit; 3.) Replace the HID headlight assembly and install the halogen assembly; or 4.) Get brighter fog lights that are actually usable and not just for looks.
The HID bulbs are probably some bad aftermarkets. The OEM bulbs are white. The foglights are for use in fog and are not supposed to be bright. Your best option out of those would be option 3 and use some LED replacement bulbs.
If you want easy, replace HID bulbs with new ones. DIY or by local shops. Not cheap. That may or may not solve your problem though. Since you say your high beams are not brighter than low beams you may also have other problems with the shutter control which may mean the level sensor in rear of car is also failing. It’s complicated. I hate my HIDs too. There are YouTube videos on changing to LEDs or to Halogen assemblies. They are doable DIY depending on your skill level with such things. Learning to do something one will likely never do again is not my cup of tea. I have yet to find a shop that will do either. At best, fog lights are meant to illuminate the ground immediately in front of car, not substitute for headlamps.
Not looking for something that is necessarily easy. I do remember when I had my '05 that they were a crisp white and a little brighter, but not by much. dolj, you're saying to replace the assemblies with halogen (get rid of the HIDs completely) and replace the 9003 halogen with LED, correct? (My '05 RAV 4 had 9003 and I liked the light output.)
From what you’ve described probably a lot brighter. As previously mentioned your blue boys may be much of the problem. They certainly are aftermarket and may have been someone’s idea of cool rather than functional
If you watch ALLAs video, the way they suggest you do it is reversible and leaves the HID wiring intact. I’ve not spoken with them recently I wonder if they sell to installers to?
Interesting that ALLA now has three flavors with instructions Maybe time to talk to them again https://allalighting.com/products/pk32d-base-d1s-d2s-d3s-d4s-led-bulbs-change-xenon-white https://allalighting.com/products/d1s-d2s-d3s-d4s-d5s-led-kits-bulbs-replacement-d1-d2-d3-d4 https://allalighting.com/products/d4s-d4r-led-headlights-bulb-canbus-replace-hid-headlamp
Ha! Just caught that ALLA now notes … “Not compliant with DOT / FMVSS108 and not street legal in the USA for Headlights. Legal for off-road use in ATV, snowmobile, and off-road racing use, only auxiliary for forward lighting. International legality varies by country. Note: This usage regulation is not unique to Alla Lighting LED bulbs. All LED bulbs from every brand, regardless of marketing claims, are prohibited from street use in LED headlights in the USA.”
Stock is 4300K. Still not great output, but will be far superior to whatever bulb you have in there now. Be sure to lube the rubber o-rings before reassembly, which will make subsequent efforts much easier. Once bought a cheaper pair of bulbs online for $12 that worked fine. Of course, your mileage may vary.
I have pictures of the wiring in my 05 tourer w led conversion to Beamtec S1 series very happy with after some 40K.
First do #3, then do #2... I've yet to find an HID retrofit to LED option for Gen2... If anyone finds one please let me know. Also a headlight polishing kit may be just enough to improve things without all the upgrade hassle.
Y hold on a few min I will try n send to you ? Pics of wire connection to h4 plug new housings etc . Not sure I have pics of lights on as as this car is dead but I have the same setup on the car I drive daily I think they're beam tech s1h4 high low beam bulbs they're top of the line bulbs
If the car has blue lights, it's not OEM. Most likely a knucklehead thinking it's cool. Why not just replace the bulbs with new HIDs and see where that gets you. As mentioned above maybe a little lens polishing. It can go a long way. Also as mentioned earlier, 4300 is OEM, and that's what I put in any I work on. I've heard 5000 is actually best for visibility. Try this link for reasonable prices and good quality. 4300k pack of 2 for $70. Where to get HID for 2nd Gen prius? Other than dealer. | PriusChat
The headlights are crystal clear. They look previous owner had them professionally cleaned at the dealership. ($$$) Thanks for the link. I will check it out.
This is because LED bulbs in housings designed for halogen bulbs cause a lot of glare for other drivers. The geometry of the headlight housing is designed around a tiny halogen filament emitting light and LED bulbs emit from a slightly different location that messes up the light pattern. Around here people do it all the time anyway, but it's pretty inconsiderate even if the legal implications don't seem to matter.
I have seen Gen 2 with the Alla LED upgrade. They are very bright. However with the right older, yellowed lense it diffuses the leds some so you don't get pulled over. My wife has the Halogen headlights and I just bought her new headlight housings for her halogens. quite bright. When my HID's die.....again. I might go with the Alla LED retrofit. There is a guy in Chicago who did an entire projector set up that is amazing. $500 and a LOT of work but beautiful if you search YOOO TOOBE. Its a gen2 blue one from Chicago.
