Headlight problem

[bruceha_2000]

Originally Posted by windstrings

Here is his link to where I bought them

All I can tell you is.. mine still work perfectly and this guy has 99.1% positive feedback.

There is an amazing array of lights available. I would have to wonder if the blue, purple, green (others?) are even street legal.

In any case, my 2004 uses a 4300K 35W D2R, sold new at that site for $60 per PAIR plus $10 shipping (How does he do that when Toyota wants $350 per BULB?? I know dealers toss in huge markups but 10X ?! ). Even if it turns out I just have a loose connection, I'm tempted to get a pair of these for when the bulbs DO go. Who knows what they will cost in a few years when they should more reasonably be expected to fail.

Is it accurate to say that something described as 4300K 35W D2R is a valid replacement for anything else with the same description?

[galaxee]

for the record, a tsb is a bulletin that toyota uses to give techs specific information on a problem that appears to be more common based on whatever threshold they use for "common". it is used to aid in diagnosis and repair of that specific issue.

since so few in the beginning had the foggiest idea how to test parts of the system, this came out as a guide in diagnosis of the HID headlight system. it's better than the previous default answer of "i dunno how to diagnose this, let's replace everything and see if that works." that's all i can really come up with.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally Posted by windstrings

.... this TSB sounds like its for halogen bulbs with two filaments?.....

So whats the point of the TSB?.... merely to say there is a service problem and we need to fix it?

I thought service bulletins were to notify the customer of a problem thats different than the expected norm and may be dangerous or otherwise go unnoticed dealing with defects and workmanship bugs?

It does specifically say:
"HID Headlight System - Diagnostic Tips"
and
"The following bulletin is a supplement to the Repair Manual and provides diagnostics tips for troubleshooting “Low Beam Does Not Turn On (One Side)”"

I don't think a TSB is meant as an alert to consumers but is 'How To' info for the service tech.

Of course *I* do not know where the HID ECU is so at best, I can check the connection at the bulb base and maybe follow the wiring back if the ECU isn't too far away to check the connection there as specified in Step 2 of the TSB.

[windstrings]

Its not a loose connection or you could simply bang it with your hand or as you drove down the road it would turn off when you hit a bump etc.

And yes they can do 10X markup if the market will bear it... . this country has the mentality if the market will bear it, then its ok... hence the oil and energy prices.
We would pay 10.00 a gallon for water if we had to.. but fortunately it still falls out of the sky!
Its true one is made overseas and the other by phillips, but where do you think phillips makes their stuff... I"m sure its outsourced under their specs and oversight, but nonetheless quality control is still a major issue.

There are "allot" of HID bulbs in the world now and so the incentive to compete for that market can bring very lucrative rewards... hence the blessing and beauty of the internet and competing on a global level rather than being under the thumb of a few local boys.

[retta2525]

I have a 2006 Prius with intermittent headlight problems which is out of warranty. With no support from dealerships without paying $1000 to replace both headlights for a "known issue", I was given a # to call directlly to Toyota as long as I promised not to tell where I got the number. The number is 1-800-331-4331. After logging a complaint with Toyota, Toyota has agreed to re-imburse my repair costs. Try it!!! I have an appt next week to have my headlights replaced. Good Luck!!!!!

[bruceha_2000]

I pulled both of my bulbs today. It wasn't horrible. I got my hands a bit messy but lost no skin I didn't have to move the washer fluid tank but did have to take the cover off the fuse box. The only things I had to remove to get to the bulb housings were the black plastic 'tray' that runs across the front of the engine compartment, the air duct (1 clip) near the washer fluid tank and the fuse box cover.

Here are 3 pictures of the 2 bulbs. In the first, the bulb that is not 'winking out' is on top. I don't know if it has any bearing, but the 'bad' one seems pretty opaque in the 'roundish' section just above the gray band where the good one is fairly clear. As I rotate them both, the good one does look a bit more opaque at some angles than in this picture but the bad one looks like the picture from all angles. I assume this is some failure within the bulb.

The other two show each bulb separately.


I decided NOT to swap the bulbs to the opposite side. If I lose one, I'd rather it not be the driver's side. I'll be ordering from Windstrings's EBay supplier in a few minutes.

I added pictures of the disassembly to my photo album (but I don't know how to link it here )

[windstrings]

Mine looked that way too!.... HID bulbs will have some of that normally..... but its supposed to vaporize when fired up..... I also thought they were a bit too cloudy for normal.

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by retta2525

I have a 2006 Prius with intermittent headlight problems which is out of warranty. With no support from dealerships without paying $1000 to replace both headlights for a "known issue", I was given a # to call directlly to Toyota as long as I promised not to tell where I got the number. The number is 1-800-331-4331. After logging a complaint with Toyota, Toyota has agreed to re-imburse my repair costs. Try it!!! I have an appt next week to have my headlights replaced. Good Luck!!!!!

I've had the same experience. Toyota seems to understand that this is too much to pay for headlights and I believe they will do something about it in the future. For now, I'm very happy that they are taking care of me, and I am glad I can still be a fan of Toyota. It's a great car - of course there are some kinks to work out, but they really do seem to care about being reasonable with people!

[windstrings]

Good to hear Steve.... How many miles are on your car, and who did you talk to? and what is the phone number?

All I ever got was run around and statements saying it was not a warranty issue.... I do have the platinum extended warranty with over 55K on my car.

Even when they do fail from normal use, that's still a ludicrous price to pay to simply change a bulb.

[jfojoe]

windstrings, my factory OEM part did not work out. What color bulbs did you buy or rather...if I want to have the same color as came on the car what color should I buy? thanks