2011 Prius both headlights went out suddenly

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by RonJon, Nov 17, 2013.

  1. RonJon

    RonJon New Member

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    Headlights working fine, then as I started the car, noticed both headlights will not come on. Brights work, but even after toggling the light switch several times, headlights still will not come on. I find it hard to believe that they would both go out at the same time. Has anyone seen this in Gen 3 Prius? I did some research, this was a big problem in Gen 2's.
     
    #1 RonJon, Nov 17, 2013
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Betcha leave the headlights in the On position, right?

    Doing so exposes the bulbs, relays, and switches in the headlight circuit to voltage surges and instability during startup. Your bulbs were probably close to failing, so when the current surge hit the filaments, they went out.

    Your headlight bulbs will last much longer if you don't switch them on till several seconds have elapsed when starting up your car. This gives the current surges and instabilities time to subside before turning them on.

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Nov 17, 2013
  3. RonJon

    RonJon New Member

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    Thanks for the reply.....I do leave my headlights in the "ON" position all the time, as I have a long commute every day. So from now on, i'll turn em' off when I shut her down.
     
    #3 RonJon, Nov 18, 2013
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    This is the reason I always turn my radio off when shutting down the car as well, to avoid exposing the radio electronic circuits to surges when starting the car.
     
    #4 xliderider, Nov 18, 2013
  5. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    why leave your headlight switch to "On"? if you set it to automatic, it'll turn on when its at night...
     
    #5 NutzAboutBolts, Nov 18, 2013
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    The lower trim levels do not have the Auto setting, just Off, Parking, Headlight (2010-2011). Or DRL Off, Not sure what this position is labelled, Parking, Headlight (2012+).
     
    #6 xliderider, Nov 18, 2013
  7. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    damn that sucks :( good to know, thanks for the info.
     
    #7 NutzAboutBolts, Nov 18, 2013
  8. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    Before you change the lamps, check the fuses, several generation Prius have four separate fuses for high and low beam, left and right. The layout of fuses should be in your owners manual and on the fuse box cover.
     
    #8 Zedhomme, Nov 18, 2013
  9. RonJon

    RonJon New Member

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    Headlight bulbs replaced, not as bad as I had thought it would be. The cost for the HIB are exorbitant, but mine are only $25.00 each, so I feel a bit better. I will turn em off during daylight to conserve. Thanks for all the feedback Prius peeps!
     
    #9 RonJon, Nov 19, 2013
  10. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    you're lucky they're not HID, those cost even more than 25$.
     
    #10 NutzAboutBolts, Nov 19, 2013
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