Headlight problem

I have XXL hands, and the driver's cover did NOT want to twist off. It is CCW when staring down at it while leaning against the bumper (so yes, while looking from the driver's seat). I used a pry bar to push slowly on the base of a fin until it moved, then moved to the next. Do this carefully, it is easy to break the fins. Once you get it off, get some dielectric grease and lube the O-ring, and it should release by hand next time.

 

I agree, its too stinkin hard the first time!

 

Again if this helps any poor slug great!
Talonts suggested a pry bry with attention to not snapping off the fin.
Point of reference thighs leaning on front bumper.
Drivers side
3 tabs at 12 - 3 - 9 O'clock
remove the fuse box lid
Pry bar ( http://www.curbly.com/uploads/photos/0000/0001/1432/pry_bar_large.jpg ) push the right (3) tab down while pulling up on the left (9) with your longest strong finger, hook the fin with the first joint of that finger. As mentioned constant tension. I had to stop there cause I don't have bulbs. But I couldn't get that thing to budge with just my hands. This solved cracking that nut quick and easy. Thanks Talonts. I had the intention of crafting some sort of wrench to accomplish this tasks but problem one solved. I'm guessing from this point its similar to the directions and typical light bulbs.
All the rubber gloves I have are packed in talc. I'm under the impression the 'no hands' rule revolves around oils. Or is it any forgien body? I have just not touched the glass part before but this looks like a feel task.

 

I have a 2007 Prius. Have problem with passenger side headlight. Bulb would go on, but turn off immediately.Dealer stated bulb was bad & quoted $300 to replace bulb inc. labor. My boyfriend bought me a new bulb($90) and replaced it-15 min. Bulb WAS burned out, but same problem is still happening-bulb turns on, but goes off after 10 seconds.
Car has 58,000 miles with an extended warranty. Any ideas on what the issue still is?

 

Is this an HID bulb or Halogen?... and how did you know the bulb was burn't out?...... HID's you can't tell by just looking... it must be Halogen with a filament?

 

This is absolutely ridiculous! Have an '08 Touring, less than 18 months old with a little over 11k on it. This past week the left headlight went out followed quickly by the right. Unlike some folks, mine was under warranty. But the silly excuse I got from the dealer was that my HID lights were German manufactured and they're being replaced with Japanese made lights.

How stupid do they think people are? They also denied knowing there was any kind of systemic issue. I'm sure they're just hoping that we'll all ignore this.

I'll be joining the class action suit as soon as I can locate it.

 

Welcome Bevo.. as good as the Germans are..... as you know factories pop up everywhere and when they produce a bad lot, its not really about the country as much as the company.

Personally.. I would take my chances with a Japanese bulb..... These OEM bulbs obviously haven't figured it out for 3+ years now and counting.

I replaced mine with cheap Chinese ebay bulbs (69.00 for both) all is well.. that was 35K ago!

So don't get too upset.. the Japanese bulbs could be blessing in disguise.

Take the 3 main threads about this subject and go to your dealer and logon and show them just how many have had issues if you want to spend the energy to enlighten them.

 

Just joined this forum so I could report this. I was pulled over this morning for a HID headlight out (right). While the officer was looking at my registration, I switched the lights off and then on and the headlight came back, leaving both of us scratching our heads. There wasn't any indication on the dashboard, not sure if there is an indicator. My theory is: I've always noticed that the headlights come on with a surge of light that backs off immediately. This might be some kind of starting mechanism, like in a flourescent bulb. Maybe once in a while a headlight doesn't get "started"? Just a theory with no research done...

 

Welcome to the forum...
Your correct... thats normal for HID bulbs.

They get a very high voltage blast from the ballast that gets them started as the material inside is quickly heated into a plasma state.. .then over the next 20 seconds or so, full brightness is obtained while being maintained with a modest much lower voltage.
If you turn off "while still on" since they are already hot, the brightness comes back almost instantaneously... "known as quick start".... which is a feature of the ballast.

However when the bulb starts malfunctioning, it fails to maintain its burn and has to be refired again.. .introducing another high voltage blast into the already hot bulb to give it cpr and bring it back to life again... once this phenomenon starts.. the bulb nevertheless continues to slowly deteriorate until even cpr won't help and you have to bury it and get another.

Since you haven't researched..... I'll tell you that HID bulbs are supposed to last 8 - 10 times longer than Halogen thereby justifying their great expense.
Many of us have discovered the cheap chinese ebay bulbs seem to outperform and last the OEM bulbs that came with the car.. as sad as that it.. it appears to be marching out so far.

As most HID's do in fact outlive Halogen to a large degree.. I sometimes wonder if the 8 - 10 time figure was a marketing ploy or a flat out error as they never fully tested with the test of time before marketed.
My best hunch is they are a huge bad lot, or poor manufacturing QA practices on the part of the manufacturer.
The other possibility is the ballast that comes with the GEN II prius doesn't quite have the kick to keep the bulbs happy over time.... that mismarriage would only be true for those OEM bulbs as I stated, the very same ballast with the ebay bulbs seem to be doing fine.

Nevertheless... 30 - 40K worth of driving for the amount that HID's cost has commonly been regarded as rediculous and should be under warranty as this is not "normal wear".

Hope that helps.

 

Interesting. I wonder if the NHTSA investigators read this forum?

The original HID investigation PE09-019 closure report contained this sentence:

"ADDITIONALLY, A HEADLIGHT LAMP OUT WARNING INDICATOR WOULD BE PRESENT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN EITHER LAMP WAS OUT."

If you look at the PE09-019 closure statement now you'll see that the sentence has been removed.

 

If they do, THANKS FOR THE SELLOUT!

 

Again from the peanut gallery. Do not let up on the Customer service folks at Toyota. I have gotten 3 questionairs from Toyota. I'm trying to be firm and professional but in the same breath let them know Ford ,Subaru, Honda all make accepteble transportation. The Prius is my second Toyota. But may very well be my last. Not cause the product sucks but because customer service is not on the same wave length as there customer. $550 2 light bulbs > if you bitch > $202 > if you tell them to piss up a rope $148. It just forces my hand to a guy selling light bulbs for what they should cost. Have to pay those exec salaries and slick marketing I guess.

 

Well I too have the same problem as everyone else with the headlights. My 2005 Prius with 121,000 miles passenger's side goes on and off. Yes, I do the "little trick" of turning the on and off to make the light come back on. I finally contacted Toyota's complaint dept. They opened a case file for me and a representative called back and said to take it to a dealer to have it repaired. I am suppose to pay for it myself and then fax the paid invoice to them. I was told that in 3-5 wks I will be reimbursed. After hanging up, I called back and left a message that I wanted what I was instructed to do in writing, either by e-mail or US mail. Representative called back and left a message that they couldn't e-mail me the instructions, because I would then have their e-mail address (??). I then faxed to their provided fax number a note saying if they didn't want to e-mail me then just send the instructions they verbally provided to me thru the US mail. Rep called back and left message saying just do what I earlier instructed you to do (fax the paid invoice and then be reimbursed).

I don't feel good about all this. What proof do I have that Toyota rep will be honest and pay for this without written proof!

What do you all suggest? Also, what bulb (if I go on e-bay) does the 2005 Prius use? Car was built in Nov. 2004, but is the 2005 model.

Thanks for any help!

 

Here are a couple of Toyota email addresses that might be useful. They are both actively involved with the Prius HID headlight failure issue:

Mr. Christopher J. Tinto
Email: [email protected]
Vice President
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Technical and Regulatory Affairs
301 Thirteenth Street, NW
Suite 910 South
Washington, DC 20005

Chris Santucci
Email: [email protected]
Office: (202) 463-6856
Fax: (202) 463-8513
Assistant Manager
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Technical and Regulatory Affairs
301 Thirteenth Street, NW
Suite 910 South
Washington, DC 20005

 

Thank you! I will e-mail both of them and see what happens.

I appreciate your help!

 

I truly lucked out on this issue. My '08 just had its driver's side light go out, and we took it into the dealer. I armed myself with a page printed from these forums about how to negotiate this. Well, my wife took it in instead of me, and in chatting with the service adviser who took her to work, he noted that they had seen "quite a few of these", and agreed that the failures were premature. When she went to pick it up, lo and behold, it was a freebie!

 

Again I must thank this forum for being so helpful.

I had my failed passenger side HID replaced under warranty, but now that I'm past warranty the driver's side HID has failed (right on cue!). Talking to dealerships directly yielded little results; they claimed that maybe they would consider not charging this or that... So I went right to the top and called the Customer Service folks in CA, told them I filed with ODI, that I know this a recurring problem for other Prius owners, etc., etc.. . Fantastic results! Spoke to a rep named Kristie who opened a case file for me, spoke to my local dealership on my behalf, and has confirmed that Toyota will pay for not 1 but TWO HID headlight bulb replacements! I just need to fax in my invoice and proof of payment and await my check reimbursement.

Now that's entertainment.

 

My wife's 07 Prius has both headlights doing this. Toyota said $175 per bulb and $450 for them to replace both bulbs. I will file a complaint with NHTSA just for the sake of it. Since they closed this case don't know where it will go. I seen on line the bulb for $122. Still a little bit expensive for a bulb.

 

Forgot to mention she has 40,000 miles on it. Naturally out of the original warranty but she does have an extended warranty we have to check on.

 

Just placed complaint #10284835 with NHTSA. Will call the 800# for customer care too.