Headlights losing their beam

caprinicity · 04-24-2007, 08:58 AM

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

galaxee · 04-24-2007, 02:18 PM

do you have the HID lights or regular halogens?

JimN · 04-24-2007, 10:56 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 24 2007, 01:18 PM) [snapback]429133[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

do you have the HID lights or regular halogens?
[/b]

Based on her info they should be halogens. Bonnie, when posting technical questions more specifics will enable better and faster responses.

galaxee · 04-24-2007, 11:14 PM

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.

caprinicity · 04-30-2007, 01:51 PM

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

**efusco** · 04-30-2007, 02:02 PM

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

04-30-2007, 02:02 PM	#6
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,232 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	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 __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

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04-24-2007, 08:58 AM	#1
caprinicity Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 11 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	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

04-24-2007, 02:18 PM	#2
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	do you have the HID lights or regular halogens?

04-24-2007, 11:14 PM	#4
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	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.

04-30-2007, 01:51 PM	#5
caprinicity Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 11 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	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