headlamps are very dim--what are my options?

Are the headlights dim when the car is off and they're running on the 12V battery?

Or when the car is READY and they're running on the DC/DC converter?

 

New assemblies are available for a lot less than $300/set at RockAuto.com
They have several different manufacturers available from $60 to $160 each side.

There are also businesses that specialize in automotive glass and refinishing headlights. I think even Costco offered a headlight restoration service. It was very highly rated, but I'm not sure if they still offer it. Probably worth calling around.

 

How about fifteen minutes per side to replace the headlight assembly with three tools likely to be in your garage? No getting under the car and the bumper stays on except for two easy bolts.

Bonus: You do it once and you can easily change the bulbs yourself without attempting to be a contortionist while doing it blind. I know a lady that paid a shop $110 to replace one bulb she supplied.

Pdf Instructions
See attached

Rock Auto $83 per side headlight assembly
More Information for DEPO 31211B1LUS3
More Information for DEPO 31211B1RUS3

Female mechanic doing this in 5 minutes while figuring it out. There are three bolts holding the headlight assy in but two are covered by the bumper cover.

At 3:09 she removes the wrong bolt on the lower right of the headlight. At 4:00 she removes the correct one as the headlight slides down. The pdf shows this bolt on page 5 and the othr two on page 6.

 

You've gotten 16 years out of those cheap plastic lens. Road salt and gravel pits those plastic lens causing light scatter which translate to unfocused headlamp. You can keep polishing it, but if you can't polish out those divots it's going to de-focus you light output.

I'd say replace them and install good quality LED lamps in the 5K-6K frequency range. That should keep you happy for a few years; until the new plastic headlamps get pitted up again.

Hope this helps

 

After buffing, polish with Meguiars Ultimate Compound, then spray with Eastwood Duraspray UV Gloss Clear.

Meguiar's G17216 Ultimate Compound - 15.2 oz. - Walmart.com
Eastwood 2K DuraSpray Clear Coat Paint

 

You can order stock headlight assemblies off Amazon or Ebay for less than $300 for a set. I replaced mine, my wife's, my son and my daughter's headlights on their respective cars last year. The yellowing keeps you from seeing things during night time driving. Buff kits cost way less, but if you want it done right, you really have to buff the inside as well, meaning you have to heat them up and separate the clear cover from the housing. I would just buy the headlights and install them yourself. It really is easy to do. Took me less that 20 minutes, including the time to adjust the level of the lamps afterwards.

 

The best solution is new headlight assemblies. Updated above pdf based on recent trial of procedure.

 

Coming in late to this -- I don't get around here much anymore since I replaced my Prius with a Subaru.

But, in the event.....

This thread I posted way-back has a link to a YouTube vid that shows how to remove the assemblies very easily -- well,,,

Replace them with Tyc brand and you are out for probably less than $200, If you cannot do the simple remove/replace, do you have any friends/neighbors/men or women down the street who might do it for $100, You still would probably be out for less than $200.
Kris

HERE'S THE LINK -- my post is about the 12th post in the thread -- scroll down until you see me:
2006 Prius Headlight Replacement | PriusChat

 

I would buy 2 new Halogen Housings from Amazon. https://a.co/d/9afzGBh
150 and new Sylvania Halogen bulbs. $45. I did this for my wife's car and they look great. I did try some LED BUlbs as well. They are super bright but the beam pattern is choppy and scattered AT BEST. Went back to Halogens. Much Better.I will keep the LED for a different Car.