Re-boot to get headlight back on???

Something strange happened the other night, as I traveled to a restaurant in another town w/ headlights on (daytime). A friend called and said that he had just passed me and that my left headlamp was burned out. As I sat behind a pickup I saw the reflection in its tailgate and yep, no left headlamp - low or high beam. I thought it strange that I didn't have low or high - usually one burns out and you still have the other (with my former autos). As soon as I arrived at the restaurant, I shut down my car, the "re-booted" it. The light came on, and has worked fine since. Has anyone else had such an experience?

 

The headlight issue has worsened to a daily problem - sometimes the left, other times the right - and at other times both! Today was a both day, so I drove straight to a dealer. They're taking good care of me: They're putting me in a rental for a day. They said that the two headlight computers will be in tomorrow, and they would prefer that I not drive away in "Whitey" with the threat of unexpectedly losing my headlights. This will be a warranty repair. If I run up on any issues, I'll post and let you know

 

I had zero issues with getting the headlights fixed, got my car back in 28 hours - and the HID's are working again - at no cost, and a free rental to drive for a day - a 2008 Highlander. Boy, was I glad to give it back too! Got 14 mpg with mostly interstate driving! Ouch! Had to put in $12.00 to replenish the gas after having driven less that 100 miles. I couldn't stand having to move my hands away from the steering wheel to see the tach & speedo. I missed my auto A/C and my steering wheel controls - and do you know what? My vision was much less obstructed to the sides & rear and front after I got my Prius back! My daughter commented that the Prius has more rear legroom than the Highlander (she was in the middle row in the HL.) - and the thing kept shifting gears ... sheesh. Give me a Prius any day

 

This past Monday when I saw that both of my HID's were out, I headed to the dealership. Thankfully my work schedule is flexible enough to be able to do stuff like that. I covered my power button with my little sticky pad that I lay my BlackBerry on, so that I wouldn't forget and turn off the car when I arrived at the dealership. I had already armed my glove box with pictures of the front of my car with the left out, and another with the right out - but this particular morning with both of them out was the prime time. I pulled into the service area, left her running and immediately told the service manager to notice that both of my headlights were not burning. Then I asked him to look at the switch and see that it was on. He called a mechanic to my car, and the mechanic immediately said that he was very familiar with the problem. My advice - go armed - no room for doubting your word. When I picked up my car, my service rep with whom I had left the car wasn't there, so they'd have to mail me the paperwork. I will make sure that I get that documentation. Good luck to the rest of you who share this issue!

 

Patrick, my mpg numbers were approximate, because I took possession of the Highlander with about 3/8 tank, and was expected to try to bring it back at that level - But as I was driving, I watched that gas gauge drop way faster than I'm used too, obviously