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cheap fix for HID headlight problem?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by wpack98, Nov 18, 2009.

  1. wpack98

    wpack98 New Member

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    I have not made any headway working with Toyota on fixing my HID headlights going out. Now BOTH are going out at the same time so it's time to take action. I would like to replace the HID bulbs and wiring to use cheaper halogen bulbs. Has anyone ever done this conversion? New wiring harness and the boot that connects to the headlight pod will probably need to be changed. I figured I can fix it this way for a lot cheaper than the $1000+ HID replacement. Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Scott
     
    #1 wpack98, Nov 18, 2009
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Fixing your HIDs won't cost anywhere near $1000. That said, if you want to convert to halogen, you need new headlamps. The ones you have are designed for the HID capsules and will not properly focus for halogen. HIDs use one capsule for both high and low beam, with a mechanical shutter to control the pattern. Halogens use separate bulbs.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Nov 18, 2009
  3. Overbudget

    Overbudget New Member

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    If you are capable of changing the lights over to halogen, you are more than capable of changing the HID bulbs. Dealer retail for the bulbs should be around $180.00 If the lights are working intermitantly it is probably just the bulbs. The ecu doesn't need to be replaced with the bulbs.

    I just changed both HID bulbs it took about an hour and a half. Removing and replacing the bumper was the majority of the time. The dealer wanted over $200 in labor for replacing the bulbs.
     
    #3 Overbudget, Nov 19, 2009
  4. khoult

    khoult New Member

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    #4 khoult, Nov 20, 2009
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    If you have small hands you don't need to remove the bumper, which speeds things up a bit.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Nov 20, 2009
  6. Ophbalance

    Ophbalance Member

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    Uh... which bulb type would you choose? It may be cheap insurance to have a set of these just sitting around ;).
     
    #6 Ophbalance, Nov 20, 2009
  7. wpack98

    wpack98 New Member

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    Any advice on taking off the bumper? I've tried to remove the bulbs w/o removing the capsules with no luck.


     
    #7 wpack98, Nov 20, 2009
  8. wpack98

    wpack98 New Member

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    Ebay looks like a good alternative to the dealer $1200+ quote to replace 2 light bulbs and ballast!

    I will look for a set that will fit my 04. It looks like the 06-09 models have a different bulb.

     
    #8 wpack98, Nov 20, 2009
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    My advice is to not take off the bumper.

    Tom
     
    #9 qbee42, Nov 28, 2009
  10. alanh

    alanh Active Member

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    Did you get them? $20 seems like a suspiciously low price, and he's charging the same for HID and halogen.
     
    #10 alanh, Dec 2, 2009
  11. khoult

    khoult New Member

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    Yes I have the bulbs (not installed yet). They are really HID. I specifically asked in the ebay message to the vendor for D4R, 4300K bulbs as in the auction headline, and thats what they are labelled in the invoice.

    I bought similar ones awhile back for $40 at the time.
     
    #11 khoult, Dec 3, 2009
  12. wpack98

    wpack98 New Member

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    I bought 2 HID bulbs off Ebay for $70 shipped. Haven't had a chance to install them, hopefully I can this weekend.
     
    #12 wpack98, Dec 3, 2009
  13. wpack98

    wpack98 New Member

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    I successfully replaced both HID bulbs for $70. The key to this job was an inspection mirror to see out to remove the bulb keeper. It took me about 45 min. and I took my time. It's a big savings over dealer prices!
     
    #13 wpack98, Dec 6, 2009
  14. ttabbal

    ttabbal New Member

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    Yep, the mirror on a stick helps a lot to see how that stupid wire clip is supposed to go on. Even more so, if like me, you manage to get it completely off. :)

    I have big hands and I got them replaced just fine. The hardest thing I found was that wire holder. Once you see how it works, it's not bad, but it's a pain to figure out the first time. Just don't take the next one off till you get the first one back on. That way, you can use the other one to see how things go together.
     
    #14 ttabbal, Dec 9, 2009
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