Oh crap I have the red triangle with exclamation point!

I wonder if UK regs are different?

The 2004 NCFM shows it as a "set option" in combination with HIDs, for USA.

-Chap

 

UK regulations require vehicles fitted with HID lamps to have a leveling mechanism and have a washing system, but these regulations do not apply to halogen lamps.
I did not know my car was fitted with the self leveling mechanism "although it does have a leveling device on the dash" until last week when I took it in for service "also includes hybrid battery guarantee extension", and it's yearly safety inspection (MOT).
The service writer came out to the reception area and told me the self leveling suspension was not working on my car. I pointed out that the car did not have self leveling suspension, and that the only thing I could think of that might be self leveling was the headlamps. He went away and came back after talking to the technician working on my car, and said it was indeed the headlamp leveling system link that was broken.
He then quoted for the part only £347 ($500), and was informed that without it the car would fail the test.
Fortunately I had my tablet computer with me, and was able to prove that something I already knew, halogen headlamps do not require the mechanism and therefore the car should pass the test. He went away reluctantly agreeing.
To my great surprise know one seemed to notice that I have fitted HID's. The link was repaired as in my post #68 immediately I got home.

John (Britprius)

 

brilliant!

 

maybe check with a local mechanic to see if he'll fix it or install salvage/ebay unit.

 

possible, i guess. no harm in asking.

 

most likely.

 

Anybody with a floor jack and a ratchet wrench with a 10 mm socket could replace it. The main stumbling block might be the mounting bolts rusting up. But it's very simple: a few mounting bolts and a typical snap-in wire connection.

 

Is a floor jack safe? don't you need stands, also.

Any mechanic -- or semi-skilled Prius owner can do this light leveling job, it is outrageously simple. Does not have to be a Toyota tech. Problem is you are going to be paying the full-blown marked-Up retail price for the part and then labor. Actually, based on what the parts go for; the Toyota quote was really not that bad.

As Mendel says, the cheapest would be to do it yourself....it is really a very simple fix compared to a lot of them

 

I didn't want to start clucking about safety, but yeah: it's paramount to always have the car secure with safety stands when getting under, never just a jack. Especially when you're banging away at rusty bolts.

 

the lady is going to a body shoppe, i don't think she'll be climbing under the car, stands or no stands.

 

Maybe not this time, but she might not be beyond all hope. You never know. I fixed my sister's washer when the agitator coupling broke, and the next time it had a problem (lid switch) she e-mailed me and told me she'd gone ahead and changed it herself!

-Chap

 

I really think the OP should tackle this one since it is such a no-brainer that even I could do it. But, if you don't feel comfortable, by all means, no shame in having it done.

 

But I could see it being an off-putting first project if the bolts are rusty enough to be a trick to get out without breaking. That touch doesn't always come automatically on the first try.

-Chap

 

and concerned to go across the street to have the oil level check is kind of a hint.

 

In my recent underbody clean up efforts, and this is on a newer 2010, and not in the rust belt, I found a few bolts holding down plastic panels (in vicinity of rear trailing arms), that were just on the cusp of snapping off the heads when I backed them out. I assume they were screwing into welded nuts on the far side of the underbody sheet metal. Pretty pathetic.

And then I encountered some holding a plastic underpanel and front wheel spat together, that were completely corroded, might as well be welded. Those the heads did snap off.

 

Two weeks ago, after driving my '08 Prius at night, I tried to start it the next afternoon, and it wouldn't. I had the flashing tri-angle warning. After spend, literally hours, researching it, it looked like the aux battery needed replacing. I was scared to death because I had just purchased it and was hoping it wasn't the hybrid batteries. I called the dealer and he quoted me 1 price. I found, here in Fort Lauderdale, a Japanese shop with highly good reviews on Yelp. His estimate was considerably lower. I had the car towed to him. It was the aux battery. He told me that it was so bad he couldn't jump/charge it. He also told me that the car is in excellent condition for 104k miles. My suggestion is if you don't ta a Prius to Toyota, DEFINITELY, check reviews on 3rd party mechanics.

 

Toyota could REALLY improve on the specificity of their warning symbols. Seems like everything triggers the "sky is falling" warning.