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Headlights losing their beam

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by caprinicity, Apr 24, 2007.

  1. caprinicity

    caprinicity New Member

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    My 2005 Prius is running great, but recently, at night, the beam of light from the headlights has grown shorter. I can drive with the high beams on, and those look like the low beams used to. Once I parked it, got back in, and the lights came on full force. Then the next day they were short again. I'm getting ready to take it in for service, and wondered if anyone had an inkling what it could be, so I can point the dealer to the right solution.
    It's making it really hard to drive at night.

    Thanks,
    Bonnie
     
    #1 caprinicity, Apr 24, 2007
  2. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    do you have the HID lights or regular halogens?
     
    #2 galaxee, Apr 24, 2007
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 24 2007, 01:18 PM) [snapback]429133[/snapback]</div>
    Based on her info they should be halogens. Bonnie, when posting technical questions more specifics will enable better and faster responses.
     
    #3 JimN, Apr 24, 2007
  4. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    you're right, jim, but it sounds quite a bit like the HID leveler problem. if we can rule that out we're looking more at the housing, which contains the refractor.
     
    #4 galaxee, Apr 24, 2007
  5. caprinicity

    caprinicity New Member

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    My stupid boyfriend says the headlights are HID. I found a post about the auto-leveling headlights feature, but can't find it now. The car is at the dealer today, and they don't seem to know anything about it, and we wanted to fax it to them.

    Thanks!
    Bonnie
     
    #5 caprinicity, Apr 30, 2007
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    there are issues with the rear HID headlight level sensor (it's attached to the axle at the driver's side rear) where it becomes corroded and doesn't function properly. If under warranty or extended warranty it should be replaced free (after deductible). If not it's pretty pricy...$325 or so. Or you can remove it and clean the contacts, seal the unit with silicon and it should work ok for you.

    Here's an informative post with attached files from the repair manual that explains things and how they should be tested if you need to fax it to them. But if you need to fax it to them you probably need to find a different service dept.
    http://www.priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t...p;highlight=hid
     
    #6 efusco, Apr 30, 2007
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