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Gen 2 HID headlamps/ballast?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by silsurf, Nov 2, 2017.

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  1. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    Hello,

    One of my headlamps is intermittent.

    I went to get a replacement and discovered that I have HID headlamps and the replacement at O'Reilly was $130 a piece AND the person there said if it is intermittent it may be the electronic ballast tht is faulting and that is an even bigger cost/deal?

    So...looking for guidance here on the best way to proceed.

    thanks very much

    Henry
     
    #1 silsurf, Nov 2, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    search some of the threads here, i think there are recommendations from eBay or amazon.
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 2, 2017
  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    They can be ordered through Home Depot online for about $50 each. They are top quality Philips brand, which was an OEM supplier, guaranteed to be authentic, not a Chinese knockoff.

    There are also several websites online that seem to be reputable, but I went with HD, as they are big enough to back up their products with no questions if needed.
     
    #3 TMR-JWAP, Nov 2, 2017
  4. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    Thanks, it seems it might be that the ballast are going? That is the cause of it being intermittent? It also seems like if I have to replace ballast and bulbs I have to ull the bumper and remove the headlamp assembly's?

    Just want to get my bearings straight here (no pun intended)

    Gen II
    HID Lamps
     
    #4 silsurf, Nov 2, 2017
  5. RobertK

    RobertK Member

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    The pattern you describe is typical of a HID headlight failure. While it could be the ballast, more than likely it is the bulb. There are plenty of posts on PriusChat and other places describing how to replace the bulb without removing the bumper.

    Buy your bulb from a reputable source to avoid getting a counterfeit bulb. I believe the original bulbs are made by Philips.
     
    #5 RobertK, Nov 2, 2017
  6. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    Thanks, I will start with the bulbs!
     
    #6 silsurf, Nov 2, 2017
  7. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Of course if it is the ballast, it will damage your new bulbs. <sad trombone plays>.

    Least risky, but most expensive option is to replace both. Hundreds of dollars..
     
    #7 ericbecky, Nov 2, 2017
  8. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    IMG_0267.JPG

    OK, that was quite something. I really did not want to remove the bumper. There is so little space in there. But I did get the bulb out. The other side (passenger) looks like a bit more work.

    My mechanic said there is no way to tell how the car is configured, HID, etc until it is seen in person, even the dealership cant tell you until they see it.

    So now I guess I will get OEM bulbs and replace? I did read, and thank you ericbecky about the fact that if it is the ballast, then I will be possibly damaging the new bulbs, with an faulty ballast.

    Again, my mechanic agrees it is probably best to replace the bulbs first, even the note that the on/off is consistent with a bulb that is about to die.

    geez what a racket
     
    #8 silsurf, Nov 2, 2017
  9. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    They have the bulbs amazon prime for $57, a few bucks more than Home Depot, but Ill get free one day shipping, so I went for it
     
    #9 silsurf, Nov 2, 2017
  10. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Removing the bumper is actually pretty straight forward. About 10 fasteners if I remember right.

    I prefer to have the extra room.
    Limits the possibility of making an error.
     
    #10 ericbecky, Nov 2, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  11. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    All done! The putting back in was a lot easier than getting them out. I guess because I knew what I was doing. Also the driver side is MUCH harder than the passenger side due to the fuse box.

    Hope all goes well regarding ballasts!

    I broke off one of the clips holding the bib that has to be uplifted for the passenger side, can anyone point me towards that size clip?
     
    #11 silsurf, Nov 4, 2017
  12. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I would start setting aside money just in case.
    What year Prius is this and how many miles on it?
     
    #12 ericbecky, Nov 4, 2017
  13. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    2007 w/ 69K
     
    #13 silsurf, Nov 4, 2017
  14. silsurf

    silsurf Junior Member

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    "I broke off one of the clips holding the bib that has to be uplifted for the passenger side, can anyone point me towards that size clip?"
     
    #14 silsurf, Nov 8, 2017
  15. tintmanpa

    tintmanpa Junior Member

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    Did the bulb fix the problem?
     
    #15 tintmanpa, Mar 21, 2018
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