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Drivers side headlamp

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by junglemom, Jul 21, 2010.

  1. junglemom

    junglemom New Member

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    Anyone know why the drivers side headlamp on my '05 keeps burning out? I have replaced this twice in the last 8 months or so and now its out again.
     
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Are they HID? If any oily surface, including clean bare skin, ever touches an HID bulb it will soon fail. They should be handled only with clean gloves (preferably new plastic ones).
     
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  3. junglemom

    junglemom New Member

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    Thanks, They are not HID and I used my surgical gloves so as not to leave oil on the bulb. Could a voltage or grounding issue cause something like this? If there was a short would that affect both headlights?
     
  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Uhh... hmm. Any signs of a leak into the lamp housing? If not then I could only guess some flaw in the wiring to that connector.
     
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    What kind of halogen bulb are you replacing with. Some last longer than others. The Xtremely bright ones last less than a year.
     
  6. junglemom

    junglemom New Member

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    Thanks, I'll check it more thoroughly this weekend.
     
  7. junglemom

    junglemom New Member

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    I am just using the generic Sylvania bulb from the auto parts store. I guess I'll try a different brand..
     
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I recommend Philips Vision for super long life. Vision Plus for 30% more light but at the expense of bulb life.