1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2010 High beams won't turn on

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Iron E, Jul 15, 2015.

  1. Iron E

    Iron E New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2015
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Jönköping, Sweden
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello everyone!

    I apologize if there's already a thread like this but I couldn't find one.

    I just bought my 2010 Prius today and according to the dealer it shouldn't have anything wrong with it and it has been serviced at all the right times and all that... but today I noticed that the high beams won't turn on. I'm not sure if I'm just having a blonde moment (it's been known to happen) or if there's something wrong. When I flick the lever forward, the low beams stay on, in other words nothing changes. However I know the bulbs work because when I flip the lever backwards the high beams do light up, but it's a pain driving on the freeway while trying to keep the switch pulled back just so I can see.

    Has anyone else had this issue? Am I doing something wrong or do I need to call the dealer in the morning?

    Thanks in advance! :)
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,428
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Do people normally drive with High beams on in Sweden? I suggest you call the dealer today and let them know there's a problem with your 1 day old car. Then wait a couple days and find more problems that needs to be addressed......then bring it back to them to address all at once.
     
  3. Iron E

    Iron E New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2015
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Jönköping, Sweden
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    At night where there isn't any street lighting, yeah. Otherwise you might hit a moose! :eek:
     
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,921
    3,144
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    If it's not something simple, then the dealer might have to replace the multifunction switch/stalk. They should do it at no charge to you, since you just bought it.
     
  5. Iron E

    Iron E New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2015
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Jönköping, Sweden
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It was a blonde moment as I had hoped. I called the dealer and he had to stifle his laughter. Apparently I had it set to zero, but based on the owner's manual I thought that was "auto". So I have to twist it to the high beam setting in order to be able to flip forward for high beams, and then back to zero when I turn off the car or it beeps when I get out. Is that really how it is?
     
  6. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    917
    189
    0
    Location:
    Clarksburg, MD
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    If by zero you mean the headlight off setting then yes. You have to have your headlights in the on position to activate high beams. I'm not sure how the Sweden stalk works exactly, but you might have daytime running lights which look like headlights on but are a different function.

    Se
     
  7. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    1,310
    893
    0
    Location:
    Monument, CO
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Sounds like your model has the old fashioned headlight switch. You do not have an Auto mode. You are required to put the lights ON (out of zero) when you want them on, and back to Zero (off) when you want them off. The car beeps when you open the door when they are ON to prevent you from walking away from the car with the lights on, draining the battery. Oh, the inconvenience!
     
  8. Art Schnabel

    Art Schnabel Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2021
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Interestingly, I have the same problem: high beams work when the stalk is pulled back for blinking purposes, etc. but will not go on when stalk pushed forward to lock them on. I search brought me to this thread from 6 years ago. But now I'm wondering how different the solution might be on my 2018 Prius 2, acquired used. I'll RTFM, but if anyone has any thoughts I'm all ears. Er, eyes. Thanks.
     
  9. Art Schnabel

    Art Schnabel Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2021
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Ok, sorry. Hadn't realized this was a different forum and that my model year belongs elsewhere. Please to ignore! Thank you.