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HID bulb replacement (90981-20007)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by WToyotaM, Sep 4, 2018.

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  1. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    I've got the bulbs now, but I'm having a DEVIL of a time unscrewing the waterproof cover that surrounds the bulb fixture.
    I'd rather not apply too much elbow grease out of fear of breaking the cover.
    Does anyone have any advice as to how to loosen the waterproof cover?
     
    #21 WToyotaM, Sep 23, 2018
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Do you have the fixture out of the car?
    Or did you choose to leave it in the car?

    If you have it out, you can see the arrows on it that show which way to turn it for locking/unlocking.
    And when it is out it is much easier to get some leverage on it.
    It only turns a short way, so if you see you have moved it past the unlocking point you can check to see if it pulls open.
     
    #22 ericbecky, Sep 24, 2018
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  3. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    The fixture is in the car. I'd rather not pull the whole assembly out, as I'll have to take multiple components off the front of the car, and given that I've never performed a repair like this by myself, I'd rather not risk breaking or losing any additional parts during the bulb replacement.

    Unless there's a tool that will allow me to easily reach around the cover and unscrew it without breaking off any of the fins or causing other damage, I think I'll probably just take the car to a shop so that they can install it. I've found a great reviewed place that'll replace both headlight bulbs for $130 (i.e. total expenses will still be ~$300 less than what I would pay if I had a dealership do everything.)
     
    #23 WToyotaM, Sep 24, 2018
  4. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    No tool needed, just grip and human force.
    Removing that part is the least of your worries.

    Trying to open the metal retaining bail/clip while "blind" is a real challenge if you have never done one before and are merely groping around guessing how it works.

    It can be a real frustration and is the kind of thing that you might wish on an enemy.

    Once you've done it a few times it becomes muuuuch easier though. But most people don't do it often enough to build the "muscle memory" that make the job easier.
     
    #24 ericbecky, Sep 24, 2018
  5. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    Gripping it and forcing it isn't enough. It will NOT budge, plain and simple. If removing the cover is the least of my worries, then I definitely need help from a mechanic to install the bulbs.
    Thank you for your feedback, though.
     
    #25 WToyotaM, Sep 25, 2018
  6. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    If you want one more go at it...
    Perhaps you already moved it far enough so it will not move further?
    There are arrows embossed onto the casing that hopefully you can see with a flashlight?
     
    #26 ericbecky, Sep 25, 2018
  7. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    I haven't moved it at all. I think that the elements have helped cake the cover into its place extra strong, and it feels very much like the fins will give way long before the cover does.
     
    #27 WToyotaM, Sep 25, 2018
  8. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    That's what I thought when I tried to reach in behind and twist the cover with my bare hand, and then when that didn't budge it, started tapping on one of the fins with a hammer. Eventually, I gave up and loosened the bumper cover enough to pull the entire fixture out of the car, at which point it was easily removed. I then realized I had been trying to turn it the wrong way!:oops:
     
    #28 davecook89t, Sep 25, 2018
  9. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    I thought about doing that, but I've read about cases where people break off the fins by tapping it with a hammer.
     
    #29 WToyotaM, Sep 25, 2018
  10. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The fins can become quite brittle so I would not hit them with a hammer.
    If you have the following 5 tools you can remove the headlight assembly
    - phillips screwdriver
    - regular screwdriver
    - 3/8 ratchet with short extension
    - 10mm socket
    - vise grips

    I'd be happy to walk you through it.
    Maybe someday I should do a video.
     
    #30 ericbecky, Sep 25, 2018
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  11. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    I have most of those tools, but for a job that requires this kind of disassembly, I'm going to have a mechanic install the bulbs.

    Btw a video still sounds like a good idea for anyone else having trouble with their headlights.
     
    #31 WToyotaM, Sep 26, 2018
  12. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    If you are going to pay someone to do it have them show you how it's done. Next time it won't be so intimidating.

    I watched some girl do one on YouTube and I was never able to remove those covers on the car and always removed the headlight assembly.
     
    #32 padroo, Sep 26, 2018
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  13. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    Roger that.
     
    #33 WToyotaM, Sep 27, 2018
  14. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Sorry to say, paying me to do the work is one thing.

    If you want me to explain what I'm doing step by step and train you how to do a job, that is a separate service. I'm happy to do it. But it is much different experience for both the customer and me.
     
    #34 ericbecky, Sep 27, 2018
  15. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    It's done. The mechanic installed the bulbs this evening and everything's working great.

    Thank you very much for all the feedback.
     
    #35 WToyotaM, Sep 27, 2018
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  16. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Did you learn how to do it?
     
    #36 padroo, Sep 27, 2018
  17. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    And can you share approximate cost
     
    #37 ericbecky, Sep 27, 2018
  18. WToyotaM

    WToyotaM New Member

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    Yes, I saw how to get leverage to twist the cover (mechanic used an extra long socket to push and used a screwdriver to loosen, as well). Cost to install both headlights was a combined total of $120, very fair compared to what the dealership wanted for parts and labor.
     
    #38 WToyotaM, Sep 27, 2018
  19. Prius in Seattle

    Prius in Seattle New Member

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    I know this thread is old but this video (below) is the most thorough video on replacing the bulbs on a Gen ll Prius....very detailed.
    All of the others do not show enough detail. It is actually fairly easy to do.
     
    #39 Prius in Seattle, Jul 22, 2019
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  20. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Way easier, faster, and much more accessible by droping the bumper.
     
    #40 ericbecky, Jul 23, 2019
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