Starboard low beam bulb failures.

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Magnetic, Dec 28, 2024 at 5:46 AM.

  1. Magnetic

    Magnetic New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    The OEM bulb lasted a decade, first replaced April 2023, then February 2024, and it has failed again.

    Any ideas?
     
    #1 Magnetic, Dec 28, 2024 at 5:46 AM
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
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    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    A few common possibilities:

    If you weren't able to keep the replacement bulb completely spotless during installation, any contamination from skin oils would have created a hot spot that led to early failure.

    If the replacement bulb were slightly out of position- not locked all the way in, then there could have opportunity for sympathetic vibrations to develop which would shorten the life of the bulb. This can also occur if the headlamp assembly is no longer firmly attached to the car as happens with minor parking lot collisions.

    The replacement bulb may have been a high-intensity variety. These are deliberately designed to sacrifice a lot of service life for higher light output- so they might be right on schedule.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 28, 2024 at 6:52 AM
  3. Magnetic

    Magnetic New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2024
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Thank you.

    I’ve never had issues replacing bulbs in the past. I was extra careful when replacing the bulb the second time. This time I’m going to wear rubber gloves, wash my gloved hands with alcohol before opening the bulb packaging, and wipe everything down with alcohol before installing the bulb.

    This will give me a chance to inspect the housing to see if it’s loose. I’ve considered replacing the headlight housings but $$$. They are scratched and I’ve polished them in the past but it would be nice to have new ones.

    Having the housings out might make it easier to inspect the wiring. Apparently there were similar issues in the 2nd Gen Prius including a recall, a Technical Service Bulletin, and a repair kit but I don’t know if any of that applies to the Prius C. Apparently the 2nd Gen had some problematic aluminum wire in the harness. Reportedly Toyota uses violet/lavender colored insulation on aluminum wire.

    The first replacement bulb was a Sylvania Basic bulb. Sylvania’s customer service was nonexistent when I contacted them for warranty. I filled out their online form and still haven’t heard anything. The second replacements were Hella Long Life bulbs, I replaced both bulbs the second time and the replacement port bulb is still burning. Unfortunately I think I just tossed the other OEM bulb that was still good when I took it out.

    Looks like all I can get today is a Sylvania XtraVision . I plan to pick up an OEM bulb and keep a spare in the car.

    The Google says it could be the headlight relay but that might be AI generated BS. If there are two relays I think I’ll swap them around to see if the issue follows the relay.

    Thanks again.
     
    #3 Magnetic, Dec 28, 2024 at 10:03 AM
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