Headlight problem

[Joyce]

So I just heard from Georgina, who will be taking care of my case.

To back up a bit, my driver's side headlight went out one evening, but who knows how many other times it was out. We immediately went to our Toyota dealer to pick up a bulb (not realizing the type of "bulb"), but the parts dept was closed. The next morning the light was on again, so I checked this message board, and found this thread. I have a 2006 #7 with 36,000 miles.

Georgina told me that I would have to pay the diagnostic fee, and if there is a problem, Toyata will see if they can "help" me out, but refused to say how she would "help". At first she mentioned the warranty, so I asked if she spoke with the other 2 people I dealt with during her vacation as it is JUST out of warranty. She was unaware of that. It seems wrong that I would have to pay for a defective part!

So I made it clear that she was telling me to wait until the light goes out, a dangerous situation, and bring it to a dealer. She said that it would not be dangerous as I would have the other light!!!!! HOW STUPID!!!!

She was unaware of other problems with the lights, or other reps taking care of the lights.

Since that day, my light has been working, so we'll see what will happen. It's too bad I ended up with Georgina as my case manager.

[windstrings]

Well for the record, my ebay lights are still hangin in there on both of my cars.... thats 4 bulbs total... we use both cars everyday and at least one direction to work or back involves lights on both.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally Posted by jfojoe

my son and I went on a quest of "the quietest" tire for the Prius. In the process of that we discovered LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) standards and Michelin Primacy tires. The dealer (....) finally agreed to order the tires for me but they priced them over $200 above the price I paid for them at a non Toyota.

It does amaze me just how much 'extra profit' Toyota dealers want even for non Toyota parts. The local carries several models of Hakkapeliitta winter tires but you can get them from ANY local tire store for a lot less. It seems they just snag people who bring the car in for 'one stop shopping' while they get normal service done and don't realize how much money they are wasting.

[Truthfire]

Well, I've been having the same problem with both of my headlights on my '07 Prius. I have been scouring this website all morning picking up ideas on what could be the problem, and I've also talked to about half a dozen dealerships.

I was worried (like everyone else) about the huge expense. However, I just got off the phone with an experienced Prius mechanic at one of the leading dealers here in the Maryland area. He stated (as windstrings as stated multiple times) that it is simply the bulbs.

I asked him about the control units as well. he said that early on with the problem, they were replacing both the bulbs and control units, but found there continued to be a problem. Through time they found it was simply a huge batch of "bad bulbs", and now that is all they replace with no problems afterwards. They started replacing the bulbs only, and that confirmed that the control units were fine after all. Just a QC issue on the bulb. They overheat, which causes the flickering and intermittent cut-out.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps someone. I know it gives me a little piece of mind. For the record, I did open a service ticket with Toyota Customer Care about the issue. I intend to try and have them replace them for free!

[bruceha_2000]

Originally Posted by windstrings

Well for the record, my ebay lights are still hangin in there

Second week on mine and I can report the same. No 'wink out' last night on the way back from MA. AND no 'passenger side light out' when I arrived at the ice rink last Wed, Thur & Fri mornings just past dawn. Early enough to have them on, but too light to notice if they ARE on from inside the car. That is where my wife first noticed it a month ago. We take both Prii since she monitors the first 2 hours and I go to work after the first hour.

[abq sfr]

175 posts regarding intermittant HIDs????? Boy am I glad I got halogens

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by abq sfr

175 posts regarding intermittant HIDs????? Boy am I glad I got halogens

yup, I wish I'd been given the choice

unfortunately, in 2004 you took whatever package came to the dealership, because of the giant waiting lists, etc.

I would happily pay to switch to halogen

the whole HID thing is a scam and Toyota's behavior is unconscionable. I used to tell everyone to buy a prius. Now I am telling them to wait until they get their design together better.

[jfojoe]

It'd be interesting to see the candlepower of the HID's compared to the Halogens.

Driving a lot in the country at night, excellent lighting is a requirement for me, the HID's really do a great job. So for me its not the HID's, its the cost of replacement parts...jfo

[windstrings]

I have halogens in my Jeep grand cheerekee and I feel like I Have a candle burning in each lamp after being used to my HID's.... there is no comparison.
My HID's light up all 4 or 5 lanes of the freeway.... in fact they are so bright, when you do have one go out.. you don't even know it until the police officer lets you know! :>

[philwojo]

Well I finally got my car in to the dealer, and they replaced both bulbs and on the work order just noted that both were "burnt" as they put it.

The case worker from Toyota followed up with me the next day and said he would leave the case open for a week to make sure it was good.

I have driven it for 2 days now since then and no problems so far. Before they replaced them it was a daily occurrence, I could count on it. So, at least so far, things are looking up.

And being I was under my 36K yet, I got it all done for free, thank gosh on that. I will also say the new bulbs look much brighter than my old one's did.

Phil