Headlight problem

Oh and I want to encourage EVERYONE to file a complaint with the NHTSA. They closed the last case because Toyota said it was simply old bulbs - but clearly it's not just old bulbs.

*shakes head wondering what the heck has happened at Toyota.

 

Went to the dealership with the information from Prius Chat stating many owners with headlight issues were corrected on Toyota's nickle. It was not fun, the first response was that will be $490.00, but in the end, the dealership replaced headlights on both sides, and gave me a rental car free of charge for the two days they had my vehicle. Thank you ALL !!!!!!! VERY GRATEFUL for Everyone's Input and Support in documenting issues such as these.

 

Just posting an updated link to a guy that makes the problem much easier on the pocketbook, and a short rant..

2x NEW! PHILIPS D4R XenEco HID XENON BULBS Toyota Prius: eBay Motors (item 320430086933 end time Oct-24-10 23:16:29 PDT)

Ebay user factory_xenon sells what look like oem bulbs for under $40 each closer to $30, not cheap chinese bulbs.:rockon:

I also noticed he sells the balasts ridiculously cheap but it doesn't seem like that's the issue.

I'm sure this had been posted numurous times here, but I didn't want to wade through it all and thought I'd post a new link to make it easier on others like me.

FYI, the bulbs can be replaced without taking the bumper off.


Now for the rant:

I'm pretty upset with Toyota since last night my wife had some trouble driving us home across the 92 last night.

My 16,000 mile '07 Prius' failed headlight along with wife's not so perfect driving ability (she's still learning) combined with the fact I had a few too many watching the Giants game in HMB and needing her to drive back forced me to grab the wheel to keep us from going off the road. Yes combined factors but things could have been serious and there is no doubt the headlight was CERTAINLY contributing to this near accident on a dark windy road!

Toyota wants $150 per headlight! I'm one month past the 3yr Bumper to Bumper, they claim that's half price.

I get pissed if it could my effect my life or my wifes, my next car will be a Honda or maybe we'll go back to Mercedes...

Toyota should step up and replace the bulbs free, or if they can't afford it at least at thier cost!! NOT $150.00 and act like it's a discount!!!!

 

Hopefully this link will not expire, just search for prius:

factory xenon items - Get great deals on Parts Accessories items on eBay Motors!=

 

It's cool that they replaced them for free, but why did they need to keep your car for TWO days????

 

All this kinda makes it hard to feel sorry for Toyota's trouble in the media.......

Seems they the foundation of Toyota is sound.. thats what got it to what it is today... however, I have serious concerns for present leadership.

You would think that in light of all their recent trouble, they would fes up and do the right thing to make things right, repent, and totally restore their image and reputation....

But instead, the games continue....

 

I've verified this.

Fact:
An ebay seller is selling the EXACT OEM bulbs new for under $40. he must be making money or he would not do it.

Fact:
Toyota used to charge us $300 now they charge $150 and act as though they are doing us a favor.

Conclusion:
Toyota has much more buying power than an ebay seller so they must pay even less for the bulbs than he does.

Conclusion:
They are still profiting from what should be a recall.

 

Exactly...... they have lost tons of trust and respect through this whole ordeal.

The very least they could do is throw in a pair of bulbs for free when they burn out prematurely....

Instead, they rack up the bill and say they have to do a diagnostic, and replace ECU's, ballast etc.......

Funny.. when you protest and demand they pay, then its just the bulb!

wow!, I've got over 5500 posts on PC and now I'm embarrassed.

While they do build a fine product on the heels of former founders and leaders, the present leadership sucks!

Anybody can forgive a bad move to place HID's if the heart was good... but something is out of wack as other cars with HID's don't have the same issues.... there is a mismatch between Bulb and ballast or something.....

At any rate, rather than make it right, they just went to Halogen.

For what its worth, I posted some time back now how I changed mine with the ebay bulbs.... they are still going strong!

 

I've already gone the $$ route, three years ago. Over 350. for the bulb and almost another 50 to install. Have the problem again. I appreciate all the 700+ postings on the HID here. The price will be much lower this time through. This is my 6th Toyota. Don't want it to be the last. Already found that my Honda dealership does the oil changes for less than ½ the price Toyota charges.

 

What do you mean they run at a lower voltage during the day? No they don't. When they are on they are on and when they are off they are off. No difference day or night unless you have canadian DRL's

 

And Canadian DRLs don't work with HIDs. HIDs use a ballast to control the voltage to the capsules, and that voltage is in no way connected to the time of day. When you first turn on an HID, the ballast provides a high voltage to "strike" the arc. After that the voltage is reduced to control the current through the arc. It is automatic, non-dimmable, and independent from day and night.

Tom

 

all,

I think what drmanny3 was meaning about headlights burning at a lower voltage during the day was incorrectly based on what I remember reading about some time ago. The HID's do NOT burn at different voltages. Whether day or night or high or low beam, the HID voltage remains consistent after the initial starting spike (just the shutter position changes to raise or lower the top limit of the light beam being reflected).

I think he was confusing the way other older cars made use of the lesser used high beams at a lower voltage when the car had daytime running lights built in. These cars had the older halogen lamps & rather than using the already more-used low beams & reducing their filament life due to being on all the time, the car makers used the less-used high beam filament. But even in the daytime the high beam is blinding , so they designed the headlight circuitry to run the high beams at a lower, less blinding voltage when the daytime running lights were chosen.

Ken (in Bolton,Ct)

 

That makes sense.... less voltage on an HID and you won't connect the arc of light or electricity between the two poles.. that what produces the light along with the materials inside that are vaporized... that too needs the heat produced by the arc.


Good idea running less voltage on filament based bulbs though... that way your not really killing their life from time ran during the day since the heat and oxidation effects if far less during the low voltage periods.

 

I apologize for not searching for long enough:
How does one tell the autoleveling works???
What's Philips part number for the OEM HID Bulb replacement?
Thanks!


In short: My passenger's side hid bulb is gone?! I had a fender bender back in February-both HID light assemblies were replaced(supposedly with OEM ones). The driver's HID Bulb did survive, the passenger side was replaced with an aftermarket- visibly bluish one. The aftermarket one is gone, the driver's side is pointing straight to the ground.

 

I will answer your first question: Point your headlights at a wall and turn them on. Make sure your Prius is in park and set the parking brake for safety. Get out, walk around back, look at the headlight pattern on the wall and note where it hits. Now step up on the back bumper. The headlight pattern will climb up a bit. In about two seconds it should adjust down. After that step off the bumper and watch the leveling process work in reverse.

Tom

 

I joined it recently as I also have a 2008 touring package prius and the passenger side light started going on an off irregularly after my last service for 30 thousand miles. The law suit is with Girard Gibbs LLP--google it. They have a toll free number.:mod:

 

WOW. I wish I would have discovered this forum before I traded my 07. I must have had a bad buld control module from day 1. My driver headlight would go out in random intervals. The dealer quoted me 400 to fix it so I figured it would be cheaper to just upgrade and get the 2010 model.

 

ok i have gotten so good at replacing hid lites on 2007 prius that it takes less than 2 hrs 4 both that being said somebdy out there has to tell me why they blow up yup thats rite blow up oh along with the one goes out i know all the problems one of you computer guys must be able to help out an old heavy truck mech,,, jacks pry bars and grunts i know the problem is not the lite how is power made come from ect thanks

 

I also have a serious problem with my headlights on my 2006 Prius. It has been a problem from the beginning and all I get from the dealer is they checked it out and there is nothing wrong with the headlights. If you turn the lights off and back on then they are ok for a while. Then it happens all over again. I am calling Toyota Corporate and asking that they fix this problem. Of course they are in denial. They did offer a good will of $100 to replace one of the bulbs but not the labor. I have had the car in to Toyota and of course they say there isn't anything wrong with the light and then it goes out again, I get stopped and warned about the light or a friend tells me my headlight is out and be sure to get it fixed because it's dangerous. I have had to argue with Toyota about this problem. They replaced one headlight but it's still a problem, so it must be something more then just a bulb. I told Corporate it's a serious problem because it is a safety issue and someone could get seiously hurt or even killed if a headlight goes out. I told them I want it fixed. I am the orginal ower. We paid a lot of money for this car and we should not be having a continuous problem with the lights. I told them it is as serioos as the stuck gas peddle, which I didn't have a problem. Anyway it's very frustrating and they should fix the problem before it becomes more serious. A Case Manager is going to be calling me tomorrow so we'll see what happens. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas about this, I really appreciate the help. thanks so much.

 

Fix it now.. welcome to the forum... your symptoms are reflected through exhaustive posts through several threads.
Take a picture of your car when one of the lights is not working, and/or drive lights on during the day when they are open and when it goes out... don't touch it and drive into the Toyota shop to show them.

Yes they are in denial but at the same time have settled with those who squauk the loudest.... its even hit the media before but apparently not loud enough.

Most of these had symptoms within the first 50K of their use. While HID bulbs are supposed to last a very long time, that really only happens in best case scenarios where all things are balanced etc.
If the bulb gets prolonged low voltage or prolonged to high voltage the life shortens.
I'm suspecting either poor QA on the bulb "#1 suspect" and or poor QA on the ballast, and or poor matching of supplied bulbs with supplied ballast meaning they are not a good marriage.

I myself have used cheap ebay bulbs... I bought 4 since I have two 2006's as I had one bad bulb in each car.
Within two weeks one of my ebay bulbs went bad with the same symptoms.
I simply put one of my original in its place that had not gone bad and that was back when they both had about 45K miles

To make a long story short... both rigs have close to 130K on them and are going strong... that mean's 3 of the ebay bulbs have about 80K miles on them and one of the original "that didn't go bad" has the full 130K miles.

If you do deductive reasoning, that tells me the bulbs are not created equal and they are mass produced and many come out with anomalies hard to detect until you use them.

While some have replaced both bulbs and still had problems "bad ballast?" in large many have simply had bad bulbs.

My bulbs cost about 65.00 for a pair... others have found cheaper but have also had problems..... seems you need a set that "likes" the ballast that toyota has supplied.
The cheaper Chinese bulbs do better with lower voltages "if I remember right" and out perform in many instances the more expensive German bulbs.... at least with these ballast supplied.

Looks like the supplier I used has them on sale right now for 45.00
NEW 4300K HID Xenon Kit Bulbs 2 Bulbs OEM D4R or D4S - eBay (item 350223394948 end time Dec-29-10 16:10:14 PST)