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Can't get headlight to click into place

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by JarrettOriginal, Oct 2, 2017.

  1. JarrettOriginal

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    Title says it all.

    One of my headlight lamps is out, so I bought a new, slightly brighter, set of H11s to just replace both of them.

    Got the driver side out super easy, turned and clicked right out.

    The passenger side, however...

    Unscrewed the air hose to make more room, got it out no problem, replaced the lamp, but can't for the life of me get it back in place. I cant see anything because of how tight it is. It doesn't feel any different than the driver's side.
    It wont click in. I got it to stay in place, but it's definitely not right. The light isn't focused.

    What's the deal. I've scratched up my arm something fierce. Very frustrated.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i had the same issue. took me a few hours, pulled the drivers side a second time to study the connection.
    finally got her in, but i was bruised and bloodied at the end.
     
  3. JarrettOriginal

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    Yeah, I pulled the driver's side to double check, but didn't get any good data.

    Can you remember if you did anything specific to make it happen?

    I feel like Im damaging the metal parts of the lamp with all the turning

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    put bulb in 1st then connect harness
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i studied the ears and how they would have to fit into the opening properly, especially the orientation. i found that i had to twist with all my strength in that awkward position to get them lined up properly so it would push in before turning to lock.
    many have had to remove more obstructions to get it in.
     
  6. spiff72

    spiff72 Member

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    Dollars to donuts - the rubber washer from the old bulb was still stuck to the back of the socket. Happened to me when I replaced mine, but only on one side.

    The washer from the new bulb then created a doubled up material thickness.
     
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  7. JarrettOriginal

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    Yeah, I had that problem at first, pulled it off and tried again. No dice.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you trying to put the bulb into the socket, or the socket into the holder? i'm confused.(n)
     
  9. spiff72

    spiff72 Member

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    I can't believe I typed "dollars to donuts". :)
     
  10. JarrettOriginal

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    Haha! That was it!

    Connected to the harness I couldn't spin it properly in the assembly, even though that worked fine on the driver's side.

    Thanks so much! That was very frustrating!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    xliderider and Raytheeagle like this.
  11. JarrettOriginal

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    I enjoy that phrase, so I say keep it in your repertoire.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. cipsaz187

    cipsaz187 Member

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    I've spent 2hrs messing with the passenger socket- couldn't get it settled. My both hands are scratched now, but I have figured it out.

    It takes only couple of seconds once you know the method.

    You must start from the opposite direction than the driver side, and boom its done.
     
  13. Burnt_reynolds

    Burnt_reynolds Junior Member

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    thank you
     
  14. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Due to our annual mandated "safety" inspections, I have to remove the HID bulbs and install halogen bulbs in both Toyotas prior to inspection every year.

    The 2010 Camry is easy, the passenger side on the 2011 Prius is a big PITA.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  15. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    That's weird. Hawaii requires the original bulbs for the inspection? What if you have other mods on the car, do you have to replace them as well?
     
  16. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    It probably depends on the individual inspector. My HID bulbs are 4300K, so when warmed up (~30 sec) they are white, but when first turned on, they appear bluish/green. My neighbor, who owns a repair shop, said he'll pass a vehicle with HIDs as long as it's not crazy blue, but I don't like to go to him for inspections because he always refuses to take payment for the inspection. Makes me feel bad, that I owe him, or I'm taking advantage of his generousity.

    Theoretically, any non-factory/OEM mod, especially concerning safety and pollution control systems could be a reason to fail the inspection. For example, they are strict on the tint laws. Window tint is measured with optical meters.

    I'm installing an oil catch can and relocating the PCV valve to keep as much oily crud as possible out of the intake manifold and passages. But I have to keep it out of sight to pass inspection. I'm definitely not going to be putting everything back to stock yearly for that mod.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  17. burrito

    burrito Active Member

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    I was thinking of installing an OCC with some kind of bypass, so it could be easily removed. All the inspector would see is an extra long hose. If they asked, I would say that the previous owner installed an OCC, but I removed it and hooked the 2 hoses to each other.

    Do you think that would fly, or would they still fail you?
     
  18. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    There's the problem.
     
  19. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    Glad you got it...when I run into space problems working on car sometimes it's best just to start removing stuff!! Replacing headlights in a Tundra requires removing the entire front grill but once you know how to do it it's easy squeezy and makes it SO much easier.
     
  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    That might work, but would still require physically removing the catch can and joining the inlet and outlet hoses to one another.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.