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2007 HID headlight replacement, help with source?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Plectrum54, Jan 23, 2018.

  1. Plectrum54

    Plectrum54 Junior Member

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    I just purchased a 2007 Touring edition with HID headlights. Everything worked great the first week, then I started getting flickering with the headlights, then last night the passenger side went out on my way home. This morning when I started the car it was on and worked fine all the way to work. I also noticed that when I first turn them on they're very bright, but fade quickly within a second or two. Overall, they seem pretty dim even when working.

    I've been reading a lot of threads about this so I know there's not a consensus of opinion, but I thought I would start by replacing the bulbs with Phillips OEM bulbs. My question is, where's the best (cheapest) source for these? Thanks for your help.
     
  2. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    The bulb is the right place to start, and if that doesn't fix it the ballast that fires the bulbs is located in the bottom of the headlight assembly. I had trouble getting the covers off the back of the headlight assembly and had to pull the headlight assembly anyway just to change the bulb.
    I bought some knock off bulbs on ebay and they worked OK, it's been a long time so don't remember who to recommend.
    After you pull the headlight assembly a couple of times it only takes ten minutes.
     
  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Auto parts stores carry them, too, but I think I paid about $75. (It was several years ago.) Anywhere but the dealer.

    They are a pain to get to, but can be replaced without any disassembly unless you have big hands.
     
  5. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I was disappointed when I found out Advance Auto didn't handle the HID bulbs but that was many years ago.
    I never tried again, I turned to the internet. After headlight removal I still had trouble getting the covers off the back of the headlight assembly. I lubricated that big O ring and that helped.
    HID headlights were my number one problem on my 2008 Prius by far. Other than that it I give it five stars.
     
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  6. Plectrum54

    Plectrum54 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I tried the O'Reilly's down the street from me and they want $139 apiece for the bulbs. Ouch!
     
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Ouch is right! I think we got ours at Advanced Auto Parts. Now that I think of it, it was about $150 there but I took it back when Todd at Tampa Hybrids told me his price. But that was over three years ago.
     
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  8. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    I bought the cheapest pair I could find on e bay, under $20 for the pair, free shipping, they have been in the car for over a year, still working fine.. they are all made in china in the same factories so why pay for the name?
     
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  9. Plectrum54

    Plectrum54 Junior Member

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    Thanks Beach, did you put them in yourself?
     
  10. Prius Dragster

    Prius Dragster Junior Member

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    I took the Sylvania bulb out of mine and brought it to AutoZone for replacement. They found the exact bulb but it had to be ordered in, none in stock. $149.99 per bulb! I shudder to think what Toyota is charging for them. I added to another forum on here regarding headlight issues. It appears I will be doing at least one housing + ballast + bulb(s). I have been told to do both bulbs at the same time, for equal brightness issues.
     
  11. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    when I first got my 08 with the HID headlights both came on and one went out after a few min's.. I thought the ballast was bad as well, so I replaced it, nope dying bulb... if it has a white "pea" sized ball inside its bad even though it lights up..again the cheap china bulbs have been working fine for over a year.. not sure why anyone would pay 150 for one..
     
  12. Plectrum54

    Plectrum54 Junior Member

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  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    WOW!!! That's way harder than it needs to be. Unless you have big hands and arms, just reach in there and do it. I didn't need to take apart anything other than just unplugging it and twisting off the back of the lens cover. I'd shoot a video, but I'm packing for an overseas trip and don't have much time. The covers can be REALLY tight and you have to work by feel. Here's a video that shows pretty much the way I did it on my 2005. It is a royal pain.
     
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  14. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    Some mate just did an HID to LED conversion in the Main Forum.
     
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  15. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Some pricing options:

    Hid Bulb - Toyota (90981-20029) | Camelback Toyota (OEM at $110 per each plus S&H)

    2007 TOYOTA PRIUS 1.5L L4 ELECTRIC/GAS Headlamp Bulb | RockAuto (D4R HID at the bottom, $60+ per each plus S&H)

    2X HID XENON REPLACE LIGHT BULBS D1S D1R D1C D2S D2R D2C D3S D3R D3C D4S D4R D4C | eBay (from $12 per pair, free shipping.. even less if shipped from China)

    and of course https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_3?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A15730151%2Ck%3Ad4r

    OEM may use D4R bulbs in the 4300 Kelvin range, so look for 4300K when shopping, comparing or reading reviews.
     
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  16. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Here is the link to that $30 conversion for both sides: HID to LED conversion | PriusChat
     
  17. Plectrum54

    Plectrum54 Junior Member

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    Thanks for your help everybody. I should get the bulbs next week and will let you know how it goes.
     
  18. Plectrum54

    Plectrum54 Junior Member

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    Well, I got the passenger side changed. It wasn't too difficult, mainly because the large plastic cover over the back that can be so hard to get off, was so loose that it doesn't hold tight. Not good. The driver's side, however, is stuck on tight, and the little fins on it were broken off during a previous attempt to remove it. I couldn't budge it because there's nothing to get a grip on. At this point I'm thinking I may have to remove the whole headlight assemblies and replace both of those covers. At least I got the bad bulb changed. The rest of it can wait until it warms up!
     
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  19. rack88

    rack88 New Member

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    I got my replacement D4R bulb for a pretty good deal at NAPA (it was NAPA-brand, not the OEM Philips) for ~$120. I had to replace the passenger bulb, which was quite the pain due to how close the wiper reservoir is to the lights. Following some instructions online, I did finally get the reservoir removed, but had a ton of trouble with the plastic pin that helps keep it in place (photo attached) and with detaching the fluid hoses (my recommendation: just yank off the spot where the hoses come off the left side of each pump - the part with the plug that you probably unplugged already - and set it aside). The wikihow article on replacement is generally pretty good. Once the washer reservoir is out, you can almost stick your head inside to get the clamps on the bulb "just" right.

     
  20. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Was this 2 bulbs for $120?
     
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