Headlight problem

[jfojoe]

Thanks Michou!
Sunshine Yellow...my 2006 was picked up Jan02 of 06 and I'm intermittent. Does the service bulletin say how to determine if the "bad" bulb was pre-06 part number?
Thanks in advance and thx to all for the posts.
jfojoe

[windstrings]

Both of mine were early Jan of 06 too

[jfojoe]

I ordered the bulb today and I can see that Michou's got the handle on an easier install than the shop manual says. If I am successful here fixing it, I'm thinking to get the dealer to give me a shop credit for the part and for his team not being able to fix it for under $600.
A question for you windstrings. I found several "OEM" sites online to get the bulbs for $251 and $232. Then I found a Sylvania "OEM replacement" for $98 each but with free shipping (I bought that with its 21 day replacement warranty). I did find several folks trying to sell me a xenon bulb for less but you seem to have found the bulbs for significantly cheaper. Are the ones you're buying xenon, sylvania...or what? thanks...jfo

[windstrings]

Here is what I bought.

They are Xenon... thats the type of gas inside.. not the brand name.

And do you really want to pay more and give Sylvania another chance?... seems they have proved their quality to me already... thats what the originals were.

You want the "D4R" type.

[jfojoe]

Thanks for your note. I See that I could get those for $69 a pair as you say. I did already buy the OEM replacment sylvania so I reckon I'm in the middleground of this thread; saving hundreds but staying OEM. This is the very first part for my car which has 120,000 miles on it so I'm not going to complain with $98. I would be complaining if I'd paid the $600 at the dealer.

I've got a hunch that the service bulletin is talking about me since I got my car Jan2, 06. If you know the way to determine the difference between the pre-06 and 06-and-later bulbs, that'd be helpful because I'd then have an explaination why the bulbs "blinked" early.

thanks again for your help....jfo

[windstrings]

Not sure about the Bulb per se, but theres a thread somewhere here I remember in the discussion about the tax incentive..... good luck!...

There was concerns about whose cars were made before a certain time so as to qualify for something... sorry, I can't remember.. maybe someone else will.... but it had to do with what vin # your car had.

The bin # of bulbs themselves may be another issue completely.....If I had already bought the sylvania, I would stick with them too... although I sure hope they did something different because tons of people are having the same problem???

Anyway.. I think the bulbs I bought were made in China maybe... but Isn't everything???... they just throw on the last couple of items here and call it "made in usa" LOL!

[Steve G]

I have a 2004 under extended warranty

the bulb problem was diagnosed by the dealer to be a failure of BOTH headlight computers

he also said that these parts are on backorder

so clearly there is a problem with the headlight computers

eventually I would imagine that Toyota would have to remedy this, if it is a systemic failure that these units are having

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by bp10782

Same problem with BOTH headlights. Started as just one in December and got worse over time until one or the other or both would only last 2-10 min after tunring off and on again in June.

I called a few dealers and they all knew about the issue and were going to charge around $1000 to replace the bulbs. I called Toyota and explained the stituation. I was told to take the car to a dealer and have the dealer contact the rep at Toyota. Much to my surprise and delight, Toyota stepped up and paid to have both bulbs and both ECUs (computers) replaced which the dealer told me would have cost over $1200. My rep at Toyota was Nicole and she was very helpful.

I must say I went from being angry at the thought of having to pay $1000 every three years (the length of time Toyota said the bulbs should last) to being very happy with Toyota's response. I just wish Toyota would take the next step and recall all of the 06's with HIDs and make the repairs. It is not right that we have to research the internet, make calls and ask for something that they should fix now. I hope by the time I buy my next Prius I can get leather without having to get HIDs.

yeah toyota have been pretty good with me about acknowledging there is a problem with the headlights and saying they would pay for new ones. But now I, too have to tell them about the ECUs. Hopefully they will be as good with this one. It's a warranty item but it's still going to wind up costing me about $400 of which I really should be paying $0

[windstrings]

Maybe someone can shed some enlightenment here, but I was never aware of a computer just for the headlights?..... whats it needed for... the ballast controls everything?.. is that what they were talking about?

The auto leveling system is a separate "simple" system too that is not a computer.

I had "two" cars with those symptoms and I have only replaced the bulbs with ebay bargain bulbs and they both are still working perfect.

Unless someone can shed some light on this.... I suspect the dealers are milking the insurance or warranty service for all they can "as usual".

[prez1]

I have the same problem with the HID headlight on my 2006 Prius. The passenger side headlight problem started at 25,000 miles and was replaced at no charge at 30,000. They declined to replace the other one at that time. Now the driver side headlight is doing the same thing. I'm out of the warranty, but I do have the extended 100,000 mile warranty from Troy. I took it in to my dealer, and they immediately gave me the 800 number at Toyota to call and get a case started. I called today and got that going, so I'll update this post when I hear back. I have always had great service from the dealership, so I'm hoping that Toyota will take care of this.