Headlight problem

[firepa63]

It seems like there have been enough problems with HIDs on the 2006 that people should be reporting the problem to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/. Maybe this will force Toyota to do a recall, or at least fix the problem when out of warranty.

[jbh7254]

I followed your recommendation and submitted the issue to NHTSA and received a request for additional information. I provided pictures showing one headlight out and then the other, and as soon as I dig out the service record showing that the dealer elected to replace both headlights per direction from Toyota it will be scanned and sent as well. Nothing may come of this, but if everyone who has the issue raises it to NHTSA maybe Toyota will step up. This really is a safety issue. I would have one headlight or the other or both go out randomly. If I noticed - not hard after dark - I turned the lights off and back on and both would light for a while. The dealer was responsive, but had to take their direction from Toyota.

[lsmike]

I'm in the same boat with a 2007. Same symptoms except that some times its the left, sometimes the right. Also, as others say, turning it off and then back on corrects it. Probably a board or relay problem but don't have a wiring diagram to locate them.

Oddly, it's done it since new but haven't had it back to the dealer as that's a pain. I'm in So. Cal so I don't think it's heat related. Also, banging on the bad light has no effect, so I don't think it's in the headlight assembly.

Anyone with an idea where the HID board and/or relay, etc. is would point me in the right direction. Hoping for an easy fix so I don't have to tie the car up at the dealer for days.

Just called my service writer at the dealer and will report when she returns the call.

Thanks, mike

[narf]

I've read that these are typical symptoms of an HID capsule (bulb) nearing the end of it's life. The bulb will go out after it heats up, and if you shut it down and wait it will relight and run for a while. What concerns me is that HIDs are supposed to last the life of the car.

Seems to me that when Toyota (and others) went to the newer low mercury capsules these problems began to appear.

[lsmike]

Hi Narf,

I would agree except it's done it since the car was new and on both sides individually, but never both at the same time. Thanks for the quick reply and I'll report what my dealer says. I just noticed I have 39K miles so am out of the basic warranty.

Mike

[trevorlane]

I thought I was alone on this, I have a 2006 Prius with about 52,000 miles. I am also having the same issue with my HIDs, and this began around the 44,000 mile mark. I brought it into the dealership who told me they can't seem to figure out what the issue is, much less have the computer tell them there is an issue. They told me they wouldn't cover the issue under warranty. From what I read on the PriusOnline forum board, this isn't a small issue. I'm not sure myself what to do next, and I don't have an extended warranty.

[OverTork]

It could just be a bad connection. If I'm not mistaken HID lamps require a high voltage pulse to get lit. They get this pulse when you initially turn them on. That may be why turning them off and on again gets it restarted.

[lsmike]

Hi Trev,

You and a lot of us aren't alone. After I posted this afternoon, my favorite service writer at the local Toyota dealer called me back. She's had two in the last two weeks. As I have let the warranty expire they have to diagnose it and then call Toyota for a finding of whether it is still covered. It's one of those things that's more of an annoyance than a serious issue, unless of course, the headlights just die.

mike

[calmel]

On my '04 Prius with HID, the left headlamp also cuts out sporatically. If I turn the headlamp switch off & then on, it comes back on - for a while. My dealer wants to change the ballast (which includes a computer) and the bulb for $1000! Ouch!! Phone quotes from other area dealers ranged from $800 to $1100.

My question is: if the ballast/computer is bad, why do I need a new bulb? If the bulb is bad, why do I need a new ballast/computer? Couldn't get a straight answer from the dealer.

Does anybody know of a way to determine if this problem is simply something lose somewhere?

Does anyone know if any Toyota dealers have absorbed this cost on any out-of-warranty cars? At 4 yrs/55K miles, I'm beyond the basic coverage of 3 yrs/36K miles. I should think a critical safety item like a headlamp system should last more than 4 yrs.

Thanks for any insight anybody can provide.

[trevorlane]

Well I called the Toyota Customer Experience Center and spoke with a representative. I explained to him the situation with my headlights, and he opened a case regarding the issue so I'm going to take it to a local dealer, since the other dealer told me 1.) there's no issue and 2.) the dealer is located in central mass, which is an hour and a half away from me. I asked him to have the dealer check the bulbs, ballasts, connections, and ECU. I'm hoping that they find something more this time around.