Headlight problem

[TheAnnoyingOne]

Originally Posted by Prius Pasadena

I am having the same issues with my headlight. I have had it replaced 2 times, and they say they can find the problem. I have heard of others with the same issue. The computer is faulty. Something needs to be done with this.

Simple - Go to Wondries Toyota service, ask for Alex and tell him your problem - better still have with you a picture of the front of the car showing the HID that is off. The claim is that the erratic behavior creates a hazardous condition.

[Whiteyprius]

Same problem on my 2008 Touring HID's. It used to be just my left, but now the right is intermittent as well. They both went out on me during night driving once - I'm glad my daughter wasn't in the drivers seat! But I knew what to do. I'll insist on the dealership doing something at my 30K checkup. Any suggestions as to how to direct the techs if they don't have a clue? Thanks P.S. I have made a report to the NHTSA.

[TheAnnoyingOne]

Originally Posted by Whiteyprius

Same problem on my 2008 Touring HID's. It used to be just my left, but now the right is intermittent as well. They both went out on me during night driving once - I'm glad my daughter wasn't in the drivers seat! But I knew what to do. I'll insist on the dealership doing something at my 30K checkup. Any suggestions as to how to direct the techs if they don't have a clue? Thanks P.S. I have made a report to the NHTSA.

Just use your cell phone camera and take a picture of the car when
the HID turn off - ask them to check with Toyota - I assume that by now there is enough documented cases about this. Point out that this issues constitutes a "road safety hazard"
By the way do they come back on if you flick the light switch off and back on?

[alansanmateo]

I know this is too much to ask, but it would be very cool to have a summary of how to handle this issue if it arose, say, today.

I'll be trying to resolve it in the near future. Mine is intermittent and I need to check to see if I can make it stay on by cycling the on-off switch. I say "no" but my daughter (who drives it daily) says "yes"

I'll know later today if that works. I know that flicking the high beams off and on does not make the right/passenger-side headlight go on (when it's "off" when it's supposed to be "on")

I had this problem about 6 months ago, realized after getting a warning from a cop. Of course, I took it in to the dealer and both lights were on (and I could not recall if the problem was on the left or right light). At least now I know which light it is.

[philwojo]

This thread is very current, but it is long. I won't go in to a summary, but will say that even though you think it is just your one light, the passenger side, it could and probably will be both.

The simple solution is to replace both lamps. Now whether you do it yourself or are under warranty and get your dealer to do it that will all depend, but that seems to be the solution.

I have had mine for over 6 months now, or around that time frame, and have not had a problem since both my lamps were replaced.

Mine started with just one lamp going out, but not long after it would alternate and some times both lamps would go out at the same time.

Phil

[qbee42]

Always replace HID capsules in a pair. The color and intensity changes with time, so it only makes sense to change them as a pair.

Tom

[alansanmateo]

good points

thanks

[reesch]

Have an '05 and have been having headlight issues for 3 years. Get a warning that the headlights are out of line. We continuosly drive with our brights on so we don't "outdrive" the range of lights! Dealer scans computer and says there's no record of a problem and offers no fix.

Currently car is in shop for same problem and finally found a technician who agreed, contrary to the Service Manager, that there was a problem with the "rear riser", which somehow affects the alignment of the headlights. Service Manager "hopes" Toyota will cover cost since we are at 60,000 miles.

My position this has been an ongoing battle for three years and it was under 40,000 when the problem first arose.

Anyone else have similar issue?

[alansanmateo]

so I went home and troubleshooted (shot?) the headlight issue

and, of course, both headlights worked

grrrrrrr

Do we have suggestions for how to make it happen?

I don't drive the Prius on a daily basis, so forgive my ignorance:

Is it more likely to happen if you leave the lights in the "on" position when you shut off the car?

She is a new driver, so it's hard for her to perfectly replicate the sequence of events that makes this happen. And since she mostly drives in daylight, it's not obvious to her/the driver when a light is out.

Recently, when I did happen to catch the light out, I could not make the light come on by flashing the high beams. I did not think to check, however, if I could make it come on by turning the lights off and then on.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by alansanmateo

Do we have suggestions for how to make it happen?


She is a new driver, so it's hard for her to perfectly replicate the sequence of events that makes this happen.

when I did happen to catch the light out, I could not make the light come on by flashing the high beams. I did not think to check, however, if I could make it come on by turning the lights off and then on.

I know this is a long thread now, but reading it will really help you understand the issue better.
There have been allot of theories and suggestions, but Toyota is confirming very little openly.. its all on a one on one basis.

To make a very long story short.. replacing the bulbs tend to fix the problem. Who knows if it will crop up again in another 40K miles.
Its inconclusive as to whether its merely the bulbs, or user error, or the ballast supplying the power to the bulbs.
At any rate, enough people are having problems that its unacceptable.


The bulb tends to go out after its been on a while, then has to get a refire to get it going again. A "refire" is simply turning it off then back on again forcing another high voltage blast from the ballast into the bulb, and that "always" happens when you first turn it on anyway.

It does not seem to be tied to a switch, or how you leave anything on per se.
If you flicked the highbeams by pulling the lever, you really turned on the lights initiating that high voltage blast.

Normal turning on of the high beams is merely moves a metal reflector inside the housing. Its all the same bulb.. high beam verses low.

Let someone turn the high beams on while your standing outside of your car watching the headlights up close and you'll see what I mean.

BTW... if your lights are already on.. flicking your highbeams doesn't hurt as its merely moving that reflective metal part that changes the angle of the light.
But if your lights are off and you hit the highbeam so as to flash someone.. thats not really good for HID bulbs as it fires them up, but before they can fully come to a hot plasma state, you kill them again and they go cool.
This shortens the life of the bulb.