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First the battery, now the lights? What's next?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by vttym, Feb 15, 2013.

  1. vttym

    vttym Junior Member

    Joined:
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    2005 Prius
    Seems like 150k miles is a magic number for the 2005 prius. My stock 12V battery died last week, and now the driver's side stock HID light isn't working.

    I've read the forums on how to change this (if anyone has specific recommendations on replacement bulbs, I'd make you a late valentine of mine), and will attempt to do so on my own, but it got me to thinking:

    From a maintenance perspective, I followed the maintenance guide in the Prius until 120k, which is when the book stopped. Since then, I've done basic oil change/tire rotation every 7500 miles or so. Now that I've hit 150k miles, and have been running into these issues, I guess it's time to see if there's anything else I should do from a preventative maintenance perspective (fluids, etc) to keep my car running great for the next 150k miles. What do you all recommend at this point?

    And now my brakes are making a grinding noise when I'm at very low speeds and applying the brakes (backing out of my driveway for example).

    Looks like it's about to be an expensive month...
     
    #1 vttym, Feb 15, 2013
  2. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    If you haven't touched the transmission fluid (ATF) yet then that would be the top of my list for a bit of preventative maintenance. Honestly if you've done 150k miles and the only failures are a 12V battery and one HID then you're going really well. :)
     
    #2 uart, Feb 15, 2013
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  3. kcinhbca

    kcinhbca Junior Member

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    Model:
    II
    Other than your mileage (I'm at 65k) you are right on track with the order things occured with mine and my parents (both 07's). First the 12v battery, then the headlights. I found the Phillips OEM HID bulbs on amazon for $40something a piece).

    Have you experienced the 'melted hatch release switch' yet? I've replaced 3 so far, it is supposed to be specific to 07's though.

    Sounds like you have done a pretty good job at maintenance, I agree with the other post... Transmission oil change probably would be a good idea also.

    Hope this helps
    KC
     
    #3 kcinhbca, Feb 15, 2013
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  4. vttym

    vttym Junior Member

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    gReat, thanks for the tips. Haven't had a problem with the hatch switch yet.

    Strangely, my headlight works tonight as I am sitting here in the car, but the parking light on the drivers side isn't (blinker works though). The headlight was definitely NOT working last night, so is this an intermittent issue?

    I will look into the transmission fluid.
     
    #4 vttym, Feb 15, 2013
  5. kcinhbca

    kcinhbca Junior Member

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    Yeah, mine did the same thing, I could turn off the lights and turn them right back on and it would stay on. It was a strange anomaly for sure.
     
    #5 kcinhbca, Feb 15, 2013
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  6. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Three
    The parking light is a easy DIY fix. It takes a 5 Watt Wedge Base Bulb. I use the Sylvania brand bulbs, they work good for me. I have put them in both the driver's side parking lamp on the front as well as the passenger side tail light in the back. Part # for Sylvania Bulb is 2825 LL

    Buy Sylvania Long Life Incandescent Mini Bulb 2825 LL at Advance Auto Parts

    Turn the base of the bulb 1/4 turn CCW when facing the front of the car from the rear, then pull out the base. The bulb will simply unplug from the base by pulling straight out. Reverse the procedure to replace the bulb in the car. You may find the base to be snug. Just be patient with it, and work slowly.

    Ron
     
    #6 dorunron, Feb 15, 2013
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  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    If you have HIDs and the lights require cycling them, they are failing and need to be replaced.

    OP is lucky he has an 05 as they the D2R bulbs in the 04-05s seems to last a LOT longer than the D4R bulbs used on the 06-09. See 04-05 (NOT 06-09) Prius owners w/HIDs - how long did they last? | PriusChat.

    See Headlights...WHY so expensive...any alternatives?!?!?! | Page 2 | PriusChat and Not all HID Bulbs are created equal | Page 2 | PriusChat for possible sources of genuine Philips D4R (for 06-09 HID Priuses) and D2R (for 04-05 HID Priuses). I wouldn't waste time w/crap on Ebay.
     
    #7 cwerdna, Feb 15, 2013
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  8. vttym

    vttym Junior Member

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    2005 Prius
    Thanks for the info - I will do some research based on what you linked. I am glad I insisted on getting an '05 when shopping for the car a few years ago (mainly because I needed the ability to override the navigation lockout). Seems things last a little longer with this model.
     
    #8 vttym, Feb 16, 2013
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