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How to replace passenger side standard low beam bulb

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by web1b, Mar 9, 2013.

  1. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    Apparently the passenger side bulb is more difficult to replace than the drivers side bulb.
    The dealer wants $120 for parts and labor.$28 for the bulb and tge rest for labor .
    Is it difficult to replace? I'm thinking of canceling the appointment.
     
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    No, not at all. All you have to do is remove one bolt and move over a hose (I think its a coolant hose) to gain access. I believe it is in the manual and isn't tough at all. If it doesn't show the bolt/hose which needs to be pushed aside, just pop your hood and take a look at it, it really isn't a hard job at all and certainly not one worth paying the dealer to do if you are at all mechanically inclined.
     
  3. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Unbolt the coolant reservoir & then move it out of the way.....now u have access.
     
  4. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    So, the dealer wants about $90 for the labor to do that and the bulb price is probably a bit high, but I have seen bulbs online that cost about the same $25-$30 after shipping charges are added and you would have the hassle of waiting for shipping if bought online.
    I wonder if $90 is their minimum charge to do "anything" even if it takes 1 minute or if they are claiming it takes longer to replace than it really does?
     
  5. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    One more thing. For me the bulbs lasted about 3 years each. The first bulb went out a few months before the warranty expired and now the second one went out a few months after the warranty expired.
    The service manager claimed it will be around $800 to replace an LED bulb (I think you need a top trim Prius for those). I would hope those would last the life of the vehicle because I would not want to spend $1600 every three years on bulbs if they have the same life span as the standard low beams.
     
  6. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Trust me, they are claiming it takes longer than it does. I have removed the volt, changed a bulb in the housing and repositioned the hose and bolted it back down in minutes.
     
  7. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yes, the led headlights are rated at thousands of hours so most will not need to ever worry about replacing them. The other bulbs are halogen for headlights and understandably need to be replaced eventually. You can get brighter halogen bulbs like silver star ultras but they will last less than oem. Id just find the oem bulbs cheaper if possible than the dealer and change the myself.
     
  8. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    Yes, but I'm sure they have some minimum labor charge for anything they don't do for free.
    What is an average minimum labor charge from a Toyota service department? Can they charge for 10 minutes or would they have a 30 minute base charge for a 3 minute job?
     
  9. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I have no idea as these things I do myself and trade before needing to use the dealer for labor but I do believe there is a minimum and they cannot charge by 10 minute intervals which is why the fee they want to change your bulb is outrageous.
     
  10. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    Yes, I think the charge is way too high for a bulb change and this would be an item that would better for the owner to just do themselves, but I can see why they would have some minimum charge higher than just the hourly labor rate divided by the actual time it takes the tech to unplug the old bulb and plug in a new bulb.
    Because of the dealership's high overhead, on a really small job, it probably costs more money just to "process" the appointment in their system, cost of porters, shuttle van, cashier, service manger's time dealing with customer etc. than the cost of the actual few minutes time spent by the tech changing the bulb when the tech gets to it.
     
  11. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    To replace a 2010 bulb?

    I dont remove anything but the bulb. It takes about 1 minute. It is tight but I have never moved a hose or coolant housing. Just reach in and go for it. Yes its awkward, but not a problem.

    Tell the dealer to shove it!
     
  12. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    I checked another dealer and they will do it for $65. The first dealer now says he will match their price.
     
  13. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I'd still do it myself for $65. Have you popped the hood and investigated how to do it yourself?
     
  14. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    I would just do it myself & save the money. It's not that hard to do.
     
  15. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Agreed. It's a tight fit but I didn't have to remove the coolant hose bolt. I did remove the bolt once and found it to be way longer than it needs to be. It takes as much time to remove the bolt as it does to replace the bulb without removing the bolt.
     
  16. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    I just had them do it since I needed to take the car in for another issue anyway.
    If I think I'll keep the car long enough for the bulbs to burn out a second time, I'll buy a spare bulb or two and keep them on hand to change at home in the future.
    At the moment, I think there is at least a 50% chance I will buy a new car in less than 2 years so, this may not come up again for this car.
     
  17. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    I have replaced my left bulb twice and my right bulb three times.
     
  18. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Do u keep ur headlights on all the time......day & night when driving?
     
  19. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Yes.

    My previous truck had automatic headlights. I got used to them and I leave mine on now because I cant remember to turn them on.
     
  20. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    This is why u are replacing ur bulbs so often. Their being used more.