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After hot day, headlights bubbled

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by maineprius78, Jul 6, 2010.

  1. maineprius78

    maineprius78 New Member

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    Okay, we had a scorcher of a day yesterday up here in Maine. I noticed that the reflective material on the top tier of the headlight assembly had bubbled up and is now flaking off. This is just crazy to me. Has anyone else experienced this?

    It looks as if the lens of the headlights created a magnifying glass hot spot and the reflective material just melted. This is unacceptable to me.... Thoughts?
     
    #1 maineprius78, Jul 6, 2010
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I had not noticed this issue on the headlights - my only complaint is that the plastic gets cloudy due to UV exposure. This can be removed with the use of plastic polish but the cloudiness returns after a while.

    How about the brake light section of your two rear light assemblies. Look at the flat portions of the six cells that house the LEDs. Do you notice any warpage due to exposure to sunlight and heat?
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jul 6, 2010
  3. maineprius78

    maineprius78 New Member

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    Nope they are fine. I have the 2005 so that section is smoked plastic so it may have stopped some of the UV. I haven't checked my 2007 that was parked right next to it though. Really weird. It looks like someone held a lighter next to the reflective housing. I'm taking it into the dealer to see if there is anything they can do... They said they hadn't heard of it before..... for whatever that's worth:D. I did buy the car used.... makes me wonder if these are non-OEM lights? Maybe it had been fixed.... I may be getting a new Prius if that's the case.
     
    #3 maineprius78, Jul 6, 2010
  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Or some coating that the previous owner applied?
     
    #4 richard schumacher, Jul 6, 2010
  5. maineprius78

    maineprius78 New Member

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    The part that is flaking is the reflective material on the inside of the light housing. No way to put a coating down there. We will see what happens when I take it in next week.
     
    #5 maineprius78, Jul 7, 2010
  6. vertex

    vertex Active Member

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    There are some after market headlights, not Toyota available. Are yours original equipment?
     
    #6 vertex, Jul 7, 2010
  7. maineprius78

    maineprius78 New Member

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    I don't know, I'm going into the shop this week. Could I get some people to say they are interested to see what the dealer says. I want to go armed with a group of Prius owners wondering what Toyota will do about this.... Thanks all!
     
    #7 maineprius78, Jul 13, 2010
  8. fingas

    fingas Junior Member

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    Any photo's? Definitely sounds interesting...
     
    #8 fingas, Jul 15, 2010
  9. maineprius78

    maineprius78 New Member

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    here you go.... it is the same on both headlights....
     

    Attached Files:

    #9 maineprius78, Jul 19, 2010
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Looks like the finish is coming off the plastic surface.
     
    #10 Patrick Wong, Jul 19, 2010
  11. fingas

    fingas Junior Member

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    Wow, that's pretty crazy. Did the headlight ever have any condensation problems?

    If you plan to get new headlights, I'd buy those from you since I plan on repainting my bezels anyways.
     
    #11 fingas, Jul 19, 2010
  12. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    :eek:

    I dont know what too say.......I've never seen a headlight do that just from sitting in the sun.

    Good luck getting the stealer to replace them......unless for some strange you are still covered under some kind of warranty.
     
    #12 sfv41901, Jul 19, 2010
  13. maineprius78

    maineprius78 New Member

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    Yeah, it is so strange. It's not like I live in AZ where we get hot weather all the time. There was no condensation issues either. It seems like the lens focused the suns energy right on that spot, possibly a perfect storm of heat and suns angle in relation to the lens.

    Who knows, I can't make it in this week but I've contacted Toyota and the dealership. Both are interested in this as well. I'll let you know what happens next week. Seems like a good time for Toyota to go above an beyond there normal customer service.... we'll see.

    Hmmm, painting the bezel.... that could look very cool. it must be difficult to take the lens assembly apart though?
     
    #13 maineprius78, Jul 20, 2010
  14. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Its pretty easy. Remove the bulbs & screws that are around the lens. Turn on the oven to 200 degs. Put the headlight in there for 10 mins. Take it out & use a flat & wide tool to pry the lens off. If they dont come apart the first time, repeat the oven part & try again.
     
    #14 sfv41901, Jul 20, 2010
  15. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Wow, thats wild. I've never seen anything like that happen before...
     
    #15 SW03ES, Jul 24, 2010
  16. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    I have seen that happen before, and it is almost always because of someone putting in cheap HID bulbs. I know you have reflectors, but do you have a HID kit? It bubbles the chrome, and this is exactly what happens.

    On the same principle, too much heat from any source will cause it, so the sun is a possible suspect as well. Nothing much you can do about it. You should also notice a dim spot in your output beams compared to the non-scorched output.
     
    #16 2k1Toaster, Jul 25, 2010
  17. ThePriusMan.com

    ThePriusMan.com Waiting for my Prius

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    Hopefully under Warranty... Even then I think Toyota should replace it it definately looks defective product IMO
     
    #17 ThePriusMan.com, Jul 25, 2010
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