Headlight problem

[windstrings]

Exactly... if they "fixed" it last time, it should still be fixed.. especially both of them!

[millerjl26]

This is a quite long thread so i did not search through every response so am not sure if what I am going to report has been mentioned before - sorry if it has.

I got stopped by the police one rainy night and he gave me a warning for one headlight that was out and said I needed to get it fixed within a week. I took the car to Toyota the next day and they reported that both were working and they could not recreate the issue. The next day it was drizzling and another party we were following reported that the light was out. I started monitoring this and turns out that every time it rains or drizzles the same light goes out, and when the day dries out, the light comes back on. I am not sure if every problem that has been reported is related to the wet conditions, but it definitely is for my 2007 Prius.

In closing, we have yet to discuss this with our Toyota dealer so I do not have his input, but hopefully my wife will find some time to take it in over the next few weeks.

[windstrings]

When you see it go out, take a picture with your telephone camera to show them.

To my knowledge, I don't recall an association with moisture being a problem.

My first impression is to say it was coincidence?... but who knows, you could have an unrelated problem not found on this thread.

But if your problem is really the same as all the other post, a new bulb will fix the problem.

Its possible you aren't noticing it unless its raining as rain or fog will give you a good visual feedback that its not working.... otherwise, its hard to tell sometimes when its clear out as even one light gives ample light to drive by and so the other being out can be easily missed.

Every time you take a slow speed turn or come up on someones rear at a redlight, try to take note if one is out or not by looking at the trees, telephone poles or reflection against the nearby car in front of you.

[flarend]

Ok, I have the classic problem too. But I also have observed something else that needs to be followed up with. (Most of my problems are with only one light, both have only gone out a confirmed one time.)

While driving, the problem light will not stay lit for more than 5-10 minutes, usually not more than 1 minute. However, while sitting still in my drive, the light will stay lit for over an hour although it will flicker every few minutes.

Has anyone else had that observation?

Also, has anyone had this repair covered under the normal warranty with the car at 75K miles, 37 months? The problem was first noticed at about 60K, 30 months.

[windstrings]

Not sure there is significance with it staying lit longer in the driveway, the material inside the bulb is subject to G forces and is somewhat fragile, especially if its not hot enough to stay in a plasma state.

After you refire the bulb by turning it off and immediately back on, does it stay lit much longer then? If so, seems its the same issue everyone else is having.

These bulbs either get "corruption" on the inside or the electric charge is limited due to internal resistance from oxidation or poor quality materials inside.

Its easy to blame the ballast, and although there may indeed be a mismatch, its hard to blame the ballast when replacing the bulb seems to almost always fix the problem.

I just took a chance and rather than play games with the dealers, I bought the bulbs off of ebay and it worked. Seems many others have had the same report.

Worst that could happen is it didn't work and you were out 69.00 both two bulbs you could keep as backups after the dealer figured it out.

but so far, I'm not seeing the dealers figuring anything out.... its only when they replace the bulb does the issue go away.

They often do crazy overkill and replace other things too and ramp up the bill, but until they replace the bulb, the problem never gets fixed.

Is the OEM bulb better or inferior than the Chinese bulbs from ebay?... thats a very good question!... I almost think the Chinese ones are a safer cheaper bet and have a better track record!

[c00lbeans]

I have the headlight problem too, and even though I've replaced with with bulbs I purchased on ebay, it's happening again. Also, the headlight that keeps going out has moisture inside the casing; I don't know how water got in there, but it looks like the water was condensed within the headlight casing? In any case, it may have something to do with water...

Originally Posted by millerjl26

This is a quite long thread so i did not search through every response so am not sure if what I am going to report has been mentioned before - sorry if it has.

I got stopped by the police one rainy night and he gave me a warning for one headlight that was out and said I needed to get it fixed within a week. I took the car to Toyota the next day and they reported that both were working and they could not recreate the issue. The next day it was drizzling and another party we were following reported that the light was out. I started monitoring this and turns out that every time it rains or drizzles the same light goes out, and when the day dries out, the light comes back on. I am not sure if every problem that has been reported is related to the wet conditions, but it definitely is for my 2007 Prius.

In closing, we have yet to discuss this with our Toyota dealer so I do not have his input, but hopefully my wife will find some time to take it in over the next few weeks.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by c00lbeans

I have the headlight problem too, and even though I've replaced with with bulbs I purchased on ebay, it's happening again. Also, the headlight that keeps going out has moisture inside the casing; I don't know how water got in there, but it looks like the water was condensed within the headlight casing? In any case, it may have something to do with water...

This may all sound silly, but it must be said...
you "must" have a crack somewhere.
the hole in the back that has to be accessed to replace the bulb has a "very" tight rubber seal to prevent air exchange.

All you need is a tiny crack or someway for air to get in for condensation to have its effects.
If you changed the bulb and didn't "retighten" the seal all the way, this could be your problem. There is about a 1/2 worth of turn to tighten and untighten... there should be a solid "stop" when you get it tight.

That cannot happen when sealed properly "at least to my knowledge".

Inspect closely and see if you have a tiny pinhole from a rock or similar too.

There is not a vacuum inside, otherwise we all would have that problem once we changed a bulb, and that's not the case.

The bulbs themselves can handle moisture in the area as long as it doesn't touch.. however, whatever is bringing in the moisture, also brings in impurities. If anything gets on the glass, it becomes very very hot when light doesn't transmit perfectly through it and prematurely takes out the bulb too similar to how fingerprints on the bulb would.

[Cynda]

$1297.00 and a 12 month warranty on replacement parts. No guarantee that I wont need lights/ or lights and ballast/ again next year, and every year after.

Has anyone tried calling a news station for help????????

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by Cynda

$1297.00 and a 12 month warranty on replacement parts. No guarantee that I wont need lights/ or lights and ballast/ again next year, and every year after.

Has anyone tried calling a news station for help????????

It needs to be national news and if that doesn't work, go local and see who else picks it up.

[judywalls]

So, do I win a free set of HID bulbs for being the 500th post?? I had to get my passenger side bulb changed today and paid for it, as it was not "covered by the extended warranty." (2006 Prius/Platinum Warranty) I'll give the Toyota Customer Service Center a call tomorrow to see about getting reimbursed. This was the fifth trip in to my dealer for headlight issues, but the first time I've been charged.

I found quite a price difference compared to others who have posted. I only paid $150 for the bulb and $100 for the labor. Maybe they bought it on eBay.