Headlight problem

[s.e.tx_parrothead]

Well add me to the list of headlight headaches! My 2006 started having problems several months ago. We (me, the DH, and the dealership) thought it might have been subsequent to a wreck I had last year, but now it seems that it is not an isolated event with us. The passenger side light is the one going out, but I have had them both go out.

THe dealership replaced the computer, but that didn't fix it and stated that we need to replace the headlight at 315 bucks. My question is can you replace the bulb without replacing the ballast? And do you have to remove the front bumper??? We are trying to save a few pennies by installing the bulbs ourselves (well the DH will install it). Any help with locating the right bulbs and the ins and outs of replacing the bulb will be greatly appreciated.

K

[SparrowHawk60]

Ok, I don't claim to be an expert on car electrical systems, but I do have some very skilled first hand knowledge about the subject.
Connection problems will cause failure of a light or lights, Remove the contact plug to the light, apply Dielectric Grease to all of the contacts and reattach the headlight connection.
For any of those work are familiar with Nissan's, the Maxima is prone to headlight failure. Here's the kicker, it's usually caused by a corroded bulb in one of the taillights! No kidding, happen to me. I replaced the stalk switch and a number of relays and still did not solve the problem. Only after taking the rear taillight assemblies apart did I find a corroded bulb, replacing this bulb solve the problem!
So, any water or water vapor in any of the lights?
Could be a circuit board problem, if they over heat they can cause a loss of contact.
Wouldn't be a fuse, because they normally control both lights, thus you'd lose them both.
Switch problem, could very well be since some have turned the switch on and off and the problem has gone away. But a switch will normally lose all contact points after awhile to the point of not working at all.
Headlight it's self? Normally they just blow, HID's can burn out some slowly, thus causing a dimming or yellowing. This can also be caused by a voltage drop.
No easy answer here without looking and checking a car with this problem while it is happening!
Oh, a computer check for headlight problems is more than likely not going to show anything! This has to be a hands on check with a meter at each connection point to narrow down where the problem is. (IMO)

[jayman]

Originally Posted by jamesbalch

If you have the DRL circuits it gets a bit more complicated but without them it's a straight shot to a junction where it splits into two paths

The Canadian market Prius have DRL's but do *not* have HID's. I am unaware of a DRL equipped Prius that also has HID lights, unless the owner has modified one

[jamesbalch]

I do not think that the Prius models with Non-HID lamps are having problems....only the HID lamps are intermittently going out and then can be put back on with switch off and then back on.

At least I do not remember seeing any posts about the regular lamps having problems.

[jamesbalch]

By the way, I don't see any way of replacing those lamps without taking the lamps assemblies out. To GET THEM OUT, you must do as the manual says and remove the front bumper cover.

That is the most ASSININE thing I have EVER heard of IN MY LIFE. The only possible reason I can come up with for Toyota engineers to make owners have to do that is because they were afraid of the liability of having some do-it-yourself owner electrocuting themselves due to the high voltage used in the headlight system.

I am going to try to get some of the tools needed to be able to remove some of these "clips" that hold things together in the front end of this Prius. Removing the bumper cover doen't look supremely difficult to do....it is just that there are a lot of those little clips that hold things together. I would hate to start breaking them while attempting to get things apart.

[SparrowHawk60]

Are there different (headlight) light control switches for the Prius that are sold in different countries?
For example a JDM verse American market?

Some countries require DRL's while in the states it's not a requirement. Other countries require a rear fog light that is directly connected to a front fog light circuit. These lights are controlled by the headlight switch.

For example the Volkswagen and I'll use my Eurovan as the subject.
Here in the states the headlight switch is very simple,
In the "normal" position it provides DRL, -headlights only on low beam-. In the full on position it lights all the lights, plate, parking front and rear and headlights. One version of the switch has a fog light control, if the switch is pulled out it controls the front fog lights but only when the lights are fully on.
The European switch, allows for the DRL's, parking lights without headlights, and all lights fully on. There are three versions of this type of switch. One allows for no fog lights, another allows for front fog lights, the third allows of front and rear fog lights.
There is also a switch that controls the electric adjustment of the headlights for "City Lights". This switch comes in the three versions mentioned above.
In short there are at least eight different switch's for this model of the Eurovan.
(For the record, I have replaced my stateside switch with a European one. It allows me to turn off my DRL's yet have parking lights, it also controls the front fog lights and a rear fog light that I have installed in the stock position.
I just wondering if there are different switch's for the Prius as I am not a big fan of DRL's and would want to save the HID's any un-needed use.

[jayman]

The Canadian market Prius headlight switch has Off and Auto in addition to the usual settings

[hefaust]

Please consult your dealership

[tcwc3]

I have a 2006 prius as well. My passenger headlight goes on and off. I had a mechanic look at it the other day and he said originally he thought it was a bulb problem, but when he got it on the lift the light flickered on and off. He thought he had fixed the problem. But this morning I started with a light on and ended with it off. I am under warranty with 20,000 miles but it sounds like a chronic problem with this model and year of car. Is there anything we as consumers can do to make Toyota do the right thing and recall it. I have not taken it to the dealer yet but I am sure going to fight this one if they try and charge me 360 dollars per bulb.

[lsmike]

I have a 2007 Prius that has been having the infamous headlight problem almost from the first day I bought it new. It is my commuter and and now has 45k miles. While I knew Toyota was having problems I just didn't get around to taking it in. Last week I decided to call Toyota directly. They were very aware of the problem and offered to fix it at the local dealer. The drill was I take it in, have them repair it, pay for a rental car, and then be reimbursted for the bill after faxing it to them. Toy even followed up with the dealer to ensure the parts were in stock!

This went off without a hitch, and they even called me ackknowledging receipt of my fax. The bill was $833, rental included, and they said I'd have the check in two to three weeks. The dealer said they replaced the headlights and suggested Toyota has a large batch of bad ones that will not stay lit at whatever voltage the ballast/regulator puts out. The problem went away and the new bulbs seem much brighter. I use them as daylight running lights too so am not sure if they degrade over time naturally anyway.

BTW, the reimburstment process only applies if one has a car past the warranty miles. The person with 21K should just have the care repaired at no charge. Also, don't hesitate to ask for a rental. In my case Toy said they'd only pay for it if the car was there overnight. I dropped the car off at 6pm to make this happen, and then picked it up the next night after work, although they called and said it was done at 9am that morning. Even got a Avalon rental.......mike