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Low beams went out

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lavado, Dec 22, 2009.

  1. lavado

    lavado New Member

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    Ok, so i was driving at night, and suddenly i noticed that both my low beams had went out. I switched to my highs and they work just fine.

    I did a tad bit of research and found that both lights have different fuses, but those should be ok since the highs work right?

    Also ruled out the possibility that it was the lights because they went out at the exact same time, and they come on when i turn on my highs.

    So i think that maybe it may be the switch or the wiring.

    Does anyone know how i could check/replace this. Or does anyone else has any other solutions or troubleshooting steps that i may have missed? Also i was having trouble opening the small square fuse covers.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 lavado, Dec 22, 2009
  2. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    The wiring diagram shows that there are separate fuses for the RH and LH low beam headlights and separate fuses for the RH and LH high beam headlights. So, you should try to verify that the low beam fuses are ok.

    There is a fuse box under the hood and another fuse box beneath the steering column inside the car. There should be a diagram on the fuse box lid that will identify the function of each fuse.
     
    #2 dogfriend, Dec 22, 2009
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I don't see how this rules that possibility. A long-ago coworker had just such a thing happen, when halogens were new and weak and he hit a bump. And turning on the high beams tells you nothing about whether or not the low beams work.

    It is unusual for two separate lamps to fail simultaneously, so it would it seem to be a low likelihood cause. But not impossible.
     
    #3 fuzzy1, Dec 22, 2009
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Often headlights fail one at a time, but the driver doesn't notice until the second light goes out. That could be what happened in this case, unless the OP is absolutely certain that both low beams were working before the failure.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Dec 22, 2009
  5. lavado

    lavado New Member

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    So should I replace the lights before I check the switch? I checked the fuses just now and they are ok. the only things left are the switch, the lights and the wiring.
     
    #5 lavado, Dec 23, 2009
  6. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Bulbs are much cheaper than the switch, assuming you have halogen lights.
     
    #6 dogfriend, Dec 23, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Before replacing anything, do you have access to an voltmeter / ohmmeter?
     
    #7 fuzzy1, Dec 24, 2009
  8. lavado

    lavado New Member

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    I just replaced the bulbs, the bulbs i had must have gone out, (bought them 9 months ago/ 8,000 miles) they were 44 bucks. In case it wasn't the lights i bought some cheaper 11 dollar lights and i hit my lows and they turned on : D

    I bet these 11 dollar lights last 5 years just to spite me. They are pretty dim but they will do. Thanks for all the help guys.
     
    #8 lavado, Dec 29, 2009
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