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Known issue: low beam fast burnout, free repair expired 2019

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Marya, Jul 7, 2023.

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  1. Marya

    Marya Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The repair guide online for dealerships outlines what I assume I'll now have to pay for, since the Toyota fix expired in 2019, on my 2010 (which I got in 2020). My right headlamp lowbeam has burned out about once every 6 weeks for the past 6 months. I had my own mechanic replace the wire harness but that did not help. I've been pulled over three times for it, fortunately no tickets yet!

    I guess I'll take it to a dealership to get an estimate but judging by the repair guide it will be pretty pricey. What solutions worked for others?

    I haven't made enough posts to allow me to include a link to the repair guide, sorry.
     
    #1 Marya, Jul 7, 2023
    Tombukt2 likes this.
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    The bulbs are supposedly failing in your car due to a known problem with higher than desired voltage to the bulb(s).

    I installed HID bulbs and ballasts in our 2011 about 10 years ago. I changed the bulbs out a few years ago due to color shift (normal as HID bulbs age), but the ballasts are the same ones. The HID system, if you get a quality system with AC ballasts, will be very reliable because the ballasts are designed to operate over a wide range of voltages.

    Look for an AC system, not the cheap DC systems because the bulbs will last longer. Also, try to find a 35w system. 55w systems are out now, but they are too bright and will cause glare and extra heat in your headlights.

    Others have gone to LED bulbs, but in your case, the voltage problem you may have might cause problems with the electronic regulating circuitry in the LEDs.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 xliderider, Jul 7, 2023
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    III
    Replace your standard halogen low beam bulbs with H11 LED bulbs. The LEDs will last a long time and will be brighter than the stock halogen bulbs.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 Brian1954, Jul 7, 2023
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Here's a post with more information on that.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Jul 7, 2023
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Aux Beam S1 H11 you'll never install another bulb in this car or it will be long gone from you by the time someone does believe it don't even fool with the wiring harnesses just go to a bulb that can take from something like 9 to 24 volts without any problem You can't be putting out anything like that You're a 12 volt system so these will end your discussion about headlights for the rest of your time with the vehicle if you would like Amazon sells them the brand name and the modeler above Good luck.
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Jul 7, 2023
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