How To: Change Headlamp / Headlight bulb

Hi Windstrings,

Don't you have the HIDs on both your Prii? (In which event, the halogen installation procedure is not applicable.)

 

Mine are fine ... but I only have 2000 miles on them so you can't judge by me.

I too wonder about how Tideland Prius (and others) are doing with theirs.

 

Hey Tideland, unless your car is only in accessory mode, shouldn't the inverter maintain proper voltage to the 12V whether the battery itself is weak or not?

 

Yep, thats what it sounds like....a weak 12V battery... the inverter supports the 12V voltage while in ready mode.
Sounds like you knew that.

How long can you run "once the car is fully charged and in ready mode" before the ICE kicks in?...

I think it may be a bit trickier figuring then the "main" battery is getting weak... but thats another subject.

My Right headlight is starting to flicker off intermittently... when I turn the lights off and back on, I can usually re-fire the HID bulb, but its hold a blue hue till it warms up like the other one.

I somehow think it may only be the bulb. If it were anything else, I don't see why refireing would help.

But knowledge is power, I sure feel better about tackling the job after reading your instruction sheet.... thanks for going to the trouble.

 

Been a long time...

First, I went over 98K miles on my 2005 Prius I obtained in late 2004 before my driver side low beam stock headlight went out. And I ALWAYS drive with the headlights on. Always. The original passenger side is still fine (although I replaced it as well, today).

I was confused about which headlight to get, so I checked out Prius Chat and other online info, 9003 HB2. I bought a pair of these cheap GE 9003 puppies for about $12 at Wal-Mart (that's the total price for 2, not individual bulbs), but I thought why not, I'll give them a shot.
I took close up pix of the original lights and the GE's if anyone is interested. The original lights say "DOT HB2" at the far right, and the GE's (which appear to be made in Hungary) say "HB2 DOT" near the top, with the etching having a brown burnt look to it, as opposed to a clean etch on the original lights.

What a pain to install these things! If I could only have another half-inch on the driver side (move that fusebox back, use smaller fuses, whatever), it would be so much easier to work with! And what's with the screw-plugs? Sorry, but I'd be happier with a traditional screw. If they wanted a plug, I'm certain there's something easier to work with.

Anyway, hopefully I'll get another near-100K out of these lights as well.

 

I went to Toyota Dealer and they said you can only use Toyota bulbs and for them to put one in would be 300.00. I don't have HID they are std. headlights. Love the Toyota Dealers

 

If they thought they could get away with it they would tell you, that you had to go to them because only their tires would work when yours wore out.

Knowledge is power.... the one that has more than the other wins.... hence the beauty of this forum.... it prevents the wolves from taking advantage.

I bought my HID bulbs from ebay "Stan".. they cost me 69.00 for two...thats right... I said HID... not halogen.....
so I bought 4 since I have two cars.....

They all work perfect.

They went up to 99.00... now they are back at the sale price for "buy it now".... 69.00 a pair

 

LOL.

If they charge $45 for the OEM halogen bulb, that means they want $255 to install one bulb. My mechanic/body shop guy charged me $15 to install TWO bulbs.

 

The guy in my local auto shop says they'll be getting the Philips X-Treme Power bulbs in soon.
He did say that because they burn hotter, cars with plastic headlamp covers need to be careful as the heat could warp or even discolour the cover.
Anyone experienced this ?

Pinball

 

Installing Boot, if you start the connector in the boot before installing connector, line up the top of boot to top of connector. Push connector just enough so the boot holds the connector, now install connector on pins and turn boot clock wise to install..Thats it.

 

I had the original Silverstars on my 2005 Tundra. I put 26,000 miles on them before i sold the truck in March 2008. They were nice and bright and stood up well. They were only used at night and during the day and also when offroading in conjunction with my front and rear amber lights (high and low mount) also Sylvania bulbs in those.

I just picked up a set of the Silverstar Ultras today because Kragen had a $20 off coupon in the paper. Will probably put them in tomorrow afternoon if i can figure out how to get to the area.

 

So my passenger side headlight finally went out yesterday, and I replaced it with the OEM I bought last year. For whatever reasons, the passenger side lasted 9 months longer than the driver side

Ordered a pair of Philips Vision Plus from http://www.motorbulbs.com for $30. Free shipping and cheaper than PowerBulbs ($36).