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Intermittent issues with right headlight not turning on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by pri4u, Dec 27, 2022.

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  1. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    Hello,

    I have a Toyota Prius 2008 Touring.
    I started to notice that my right headlight is not always turning on. First time when I noticed it couple of weeks ago, I tried to drive to Auto Zone to get a replacement light bulb, but then when I got there, and tried to show it to the seller, he said that the light is on now, so it might be a mechanical issue that will require me to go to the mechanic for it since it doesn't happen all the time when I start the car or turn on the headlights.

    Any idea how to determine the exact cause for the issue without spending too much for the diagnostics? Or what's the best way to go about it?

    From my understanding so far (please correct me if I'm wrong):

    -There are two kind of light bulbs that could be replaced there - so either first one or second one needs to be replaced - without actually knowing which one is causing the issue
    -The original Toyota OEM light bulb is expensive - getting an aftermarket on ebay made in china could cost $20 but could have quality issues when it comes to provide proper lightning
    -Some shops sell only the light bulb without the high light beam? The way the mechanism works is usually it has both the regular light (low beam) and high beam (fog) light in the same socket which would have cover mechanism not to show the high beam when not needed
    -It's possible it's a wiring bad contact or a socket issue that needs to be replaced
    -It's not easy to access that area as a private person since I don't have the tools to open that area

    Would appreciate any word of advise.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    If the socket is not loose or corroded, I'd put in a "brand name" replacement bulb.
    Bulbs are often intermittent before they fail completely.

    And if that fixes the problem, I'd consider changing the other one too......premptively.
     
    #2 sam spade 2, Dec 27, 2022
  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    All Gen 2 touring models came with the HID style bulbs. Your symptoms are very normal for the bulb when it's at the end of its life.

    Pretty sure your 08 uses the D4R model at 4300k as OEM. I've had several with these lights and have had great results with bulbs purchased here:

    Onyx Performance Lights | Performance Automotive Lighting (onyxlights.com)

    You can use "shop by type" and use D4R. Select 2 bulbs (you always want to replace HIDs as a set) and 4300k. They're currently $70 per set. So far, I've never had to buy another set for any car I've bought them for. The oldest is 5 years.
     
    #3 TMR-JWAP, Dec 27, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2022
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  4. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    What are the famous brand names you would recommend and how much would it cost? Do they install it for you at Auto Zone and typically carry these brands or would it be more cost effective to buy it online? Any links would be appreciated.
     
    #4 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Autozone and most stores do not carry the HIDs for less than around $120 each. Typically some crap like sylvania, marked up to 10x its value.

    They also will not install. It can be a bear on a Gen 2. There are plenty of shops in Cali that are likely very familiar with the Prius. Look for a good hybrid shop. They'll know what they're doing and have probably done many.
     
    #5 TMR-JWAP, Dec 27, 2022
  6. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    Where do you see on the Onyx website that a pair costs $70?
    I added quantity of 2 of them to my cart, this is what it looks like ($80):

    D4S/D4R Replacement HID Bulb Single - 4300K (D4R BULB - FACTORY HID XENON SERIES) cost: $39.99 quantity: 2 total: $79.98

    What am I missing to get both for $70?

    Also, I found this on Amazon ("DMEX (Pair) D4R 35W 4300K Xenon Headlight HID Bulbs Replacement 42406 66450 42406WX Car Headlamps" B07ZHWPW5M) a pair for $33:



    Which appears to be much cheaper than the Onyx website, and also has "Xenon" in it's name, but is it good quality as the first option (it has 909 rating with a score of 4.5 out of 5) - is it considered an after market just like the first option on Onyx website?

    By the way, is this good installation guide I found on youtube:



    Which mentions in the description:

    "Amazon Links Buy bulb here: https://amzn.to/2Q0BwWq Pair: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01... Recommended: http://geni.us/JustVlads 100% Genuine PHILIPS bulb in standard industrial packaging at significantly low price D4R - Factory OEM 4300K with Precise light distribution / Normally goes for over $150 or more at dealer | DOT approved and Street Legal / Standard specification for Factory HID equipped vehicle OE (Original Equipment) spec of 35W DOT GERMANY Genuine PHILIPS Direct Replacement Bulb - Pack of 1 Light Color: Standard OEM 4300K Color temp (Standard White) | If you need cooler color temp, look for 5000K or higher | Note: All HID lights discolor to get whiter/bluer over usage & dims down. When comparing this NEW bulb against your OLD bulb, the NEW bulb may look warmer in color, which is normal. Replacing in PAIR is suggested."

    But actually these links are broken now, but he mentions the original factory OEM which is Philips bulb? Not sure what the price was in his link for these (supposedly less than $150), I'm finding one original on Amazon B00480J4J6 like that goes for $76, so it would be $152 for both:



    Is there a benefit having an original oem over the after market options for this kind of old car? I'm mostly interested in good quality lightning for safety reasons - being able to have both regular light beam and high light beam.

    Thanks again!
     
    #6 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2022
  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Your price is different because you are selecting a single packaged bulb and ordering two of them, instead of ordering a set of bulbs in one package.

    D4R Bulb - Factory HID Xenon Series | Onyx Performance Lights (onyxlights.com)

    Change package type to set
    Order a quantity of 1 and they will ship you a "set" of bulbs.

    There's a thousand different bulbs available and 75% are Chinese fakes. order what you're comfortable with.
     
    #7 TMR-JWAP, Dec 27, 2022
  8. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    The first option you suggested for $70 are US made? Is it also considered after market?
    The amazon ones I found, DMEX, are considered after market?
    And the last one Philips are the original OEM factory part?

    Just trying to understand which is which... It sounds like I could just get the $33 amazon one with good reviews and use the youtube video I found to install them...
     
    #8 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
  9. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Sounds like you have it figured out.
    I was merely explaining my experience with Gen 2s and HID bulbs. I've used new OEM Philips, I've used OSRAM, I've used ONYX. D2Rs and D4Rs. Maybe I've just been lucky. Other experiences may vary. Buy what you're comfortable with at the price point you need.
     
    #9 TMR-JWAP, Dec 27, 2022
  10. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    Ok, but is there difference in terms of lightning quality between these 4 categories - OEM, OSRAM, ONYX or Amazon ($33)?
    Is Osram and ONYX are not made in china? Or what makes them superior to the cheaper ones on Amazon, durability or what?
    Just trying to understand... Thank you!
     
    #10 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
  11. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    #11 TMR-JWAP, Dec 27, 2022
  12. highmilesgarage

    highmilesgarage Active Member

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    Prius touring has HID, they normally don't last long. Just replace them with LEDs, cheaper and reliable. I switched mine to LEDs and and is satisfied with it.
     
    #12 highmilesgarage, Dec 27, 2022
  13. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    Link to the ones you switched it to?
     
    #13 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
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  14. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    I'm thinking to go with the OEM version...
    So I found a single one on Amazon "Philips 42406C1 D4R Standard Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, 1 Pack" go for $76 so a pair would cost $152. It says on the page that "Visit the Philips Store" - Does that mean that it's the official Philips store/Seller?

    I'm asking because I was shopping around for the OEM and found the best price on a website that's called HID Concept (they're based in Chicago not an actual physical store, they also sell on Walmart website as a third party store) which sells a pair for $106.99 plus a special promo of 15% off so basically ~$90 for both:

    hidconcept.com/products/d4r-philips-oem-4300k-42406-hid-xenon-bulb?_pos=1&_psq=42406&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=29066879500367

    Is this too good to be true? I could follow the guide you provided on how to identify if it's fake or not original... which when I called the HID Concept customer service, they told me the same way, and I also found this:



    Where supposedly they're the ones fighting against fake items and how to spot fake items.
    I asked the guy how do you have better price than amazon, he told me that he buys thousands from Philips because he's a wholesale and that I could call Phillips US customer service to confirm that they're an authorized wholesale.

    Your thoughts guys?

    @TMR-JWAP I see you also mentioned their website here:

    HID Bulb Replacements | PriusChat

    And also you mentioned something about counterfeit items here in the same thread:

    HID Bulb Replacements | PriusChat

    Thanks!
     
    #14 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2022
  15. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    He's talking about LEDs above not HIDs so to do that easily in your car which is a touring model you'll need to change the housings to the halogen housings which come in the non-touring model then in those housings screw in the H4 LED bulbs pick your poison I use aux beam I'm not going to get into a big hoo ha with you about lights of see you typed paragraphs about this and want to go back and forth The best thing you can do here is halogen housings and LED bulbs. But you do what you want You already have the D4R or whatever housings on your car so the easiest thing to do is to go out and get a bulb but it's usually recommended to replace in pairs because the new bulb you're going to buy is going to greatly outshine the old bulb on the other side but again you do what you feel is best for you that's not for me to say. I see you putting all these part numbers up here and telling folks you're not getting the same prices maybe because you're not paying attention to how you're adding the stuff to your cart? Possibly $10 doesn't break any bank I'm not going to do a whole lot of scrabbling and messing around for 10 bucks We put you within $10 of the price I mean that's pretty good for just a quick shot in the whatever but I would say grab you some halogen housings put in LEDs and you will not be dealing with lights again until you're an old man and you won't make it that long with the car probably this is my guess.
     
    #15 Tombukt2, Dec 27, 2022
  16. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    I just added it to the cart and added the promo code this is what it looks like:

    Philips D4R OEM Standard HID Xenon Bulbs 4300K 42406 | Pack of 2 1 $106.99
    Scroll for more items
    Discount
    Discount code
    Cost summary
    Description Price
    Subtotal     $106.99
    Discount NY15 - $16.05$16.05 off total order price
    Shipping Shipping costs Calculated at next step
    Total USD $90.94

    I mean this is really good price for the OEM, the ONYX ones were for $70... But I'm worried they might be fake... it's a $60 difference if you were buy the single oem ones from amazon with qty of 2...
     
    #16 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
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  17. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah could be That's what the internet's done for us created a bunch of fakes everybody with the 3D printer and any capability to do anything and make up about anything they want and try to pawn it off as whatever they want to I guess so it's really caused a lot of problems I don't really care about original light bulbs buddy to be honest with you that's that's the furthest thing in my mind in the world to be messing with so you want to do it in pairs regardless so that's going to really cost you so fakes are real whatever the deal you need to be replacing two or your car's going to look kind of tard. That weird owl look but that might be okay. Why do we need the original I mean I would be looking for newer technology Cobb elements whatever something like that some people here have spent I don't know 80 bucks on some replacement bulbs that will apparently fit the touring housing meaning your D4R can be replaced with a fan or fanless LED Read right here somewhere it'll come up in this list somebody just did this last week so there's that option too The pair of the LEDs I believe cost less than the one bulb you're buying just to give you an idea it's just light bulbs I wouldn't get too deep into thought about it.
     
    #17 Tombukt2, Dec 27, 2022
  18. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    HID CONCEPT - 11 Photos & 11 Reviews - 8113 Austin Ave, Morton Grove, IL - Yelp

    someone left a review there:

    "
    Jerry S.
    Los Angeles, CA
    0
    21
    12/5/2018
    I purchased a set of Philips bulbs but the packaging didn't come with the Certificate of Authenticity label or code. I contacted Philips USA with pictures of the packaging and bulb and they confirmed the product wasn't authentic, yet HID Concept is selling them as real and even though they're an authorized retailer, doesn't mean they can't get fake bulbs and sell them as real. Now they wont take the bulbs back. Shop elsewhere!
    "

    Probably fake, there is no way they're beating Amazon's Phillips store prices just because they're a wholesale and buying thousands of bulbs, then the guy claimed that this might not be the real "Phillips" store selling on Amazon but it's just the brand page, not the store... :ROFLMAO:
     
    #18 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2022
  19. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    This is more likely:

    Cheap pos HIDs normally don't last long. Good ones do, unless 5 years and still going strong is considered "don't last long" for the philips I have in my 2007 touring and 5 years for the ONYX in a 2005.
     
    #19 TMR-JWAP, Dec 27, 2022
  20. pri4u

    pri4u Member

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    Your thoughts about the HID Concept "deal" I found? fake?
    The agent on the phone told me that I can use the methods to verify it's real and it can't be faked, but it's possible that the moment I realize that after they send it to me, that they might say that they don't accept returns or I have to pay for the return shipping... It looks like in the youtube video I found they used to provide a way to get it for less than $150 on amazon, but that was back in 2018, so it's possible that the current price of $152 is reasonable in the end of 2022 given the inflation and all...
     
    #20 pri4u, Dec 27, 2022
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