Brake light melting

efred500 · 11-17-2004, 11:39 AM

Just took my Prius to the dealership for a problem that I have not seen listed on the forum.
The brake housing on both brake lights has melted due to what looks to be a heat related problem. It is the multi segment brake unit of the tall light that has melted. The driver side is worst than the passenger side, but both sides show the problem. I believe that the brake light assy. is an LED device, so the problem is elsewhere.
Is is possible that the heat from the amber signal light in conjunction with the red running light could create this problem? Both are regular incandescent lights.
The dealer has not seen this problem before and cannot offer an explanation as to the cause. They have ordered both tail light assys. to be replaced.
Has anybody experienced the same problem?

Thanks,

Eugene

tochatihu · 11-17-2004, 01:18 PM

See post # 21229 et seq. at yahoo Prius-2G group.

jchu · 11-17-2004, 01:35 PM

For those of us who are monogomous and don't flirt with Yahoo could someone crosspost the above mention post #21229

**TonyPSchaefer** · 11-17-2004, 01:36 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu\";p=\"51125)</div>

Quote:

See post # 21229 et seq. at yahoo Prius-2G group.[/b]

For those of us not familiar with the Y! groups but interested in the rear-ends of our cars melting, can you provide a link or clippings or something?

tochatihu · 11-17-2004, 01:47 PM

It's just as well, as I offerred not the best msg #. Here is the sequence that seems relavent. Nothing new in topic has been posted since 25 Oct.

Message 21204

From: "leoj_ruhtra" <joel_REITZ@b...>
Date: Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:41 pm
Subject: Brake Light Deformation

Has anyone else noticed deformed brake lights?
I have seen at least 2 '04 Prius with this problem.
Toyota said they have not heard of this from anyone.

I suspect that nobody has noticed, yet.

Look at the black plastic frame behind the clear
lens for the brake lights. This frame is the
top set on each side in the back and contains 8 LEDs.
I would be interested to know how many people also have
this problem. Mine is deformed enough to obscure
several LEDs, a potential safety issue.
As I am in Portland Oregon, I would think this would be
a bigger problem in warmer climates. Mine deformed
on a 95 degree day.

See the photos posted on this group under:
photos/miscellaneus/brake light deformation

Joel

++++++++++++

Message 21208

From: "texasaltima" <texasaltima@y...>
Date: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:05 pm
Subject: Re: Brake Light Deformation

This is definetly covered by your Toyota Warranty. I would love to
hear what your dealership has to say about it. I think we should
contact toyota and ask them about this problem, maybe even send them
some of your pictures. I am worried because I live in Texas and if
your deform in a 95 degree day, I wonder how mine could be affected.
I wonder what type of plastic they use for the black sections. I
wouldn't be surprise if the chrome reflectors actually are the ones
responsible for melting the plastic. I bet the light from the sun was
reflected into the plastic, raising its temperature to the melting
point.

+++++++++++++

Message 21277

From: "leoj_ruhtra" <joel_REITZ@b...>
Date: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:00 am
Subject: Re: Brake Light Deformation

I am thinking that Toyota changed the plastic content.
My VIN is under 100000, delivered in October '04.
With the feedback, I will ask for a replacment.
I didn't want to do that if they had not fixed the
problem.

BTW, my car simply sat in my driveway facing north
and uphill for one day (I usually park it in the
opposite orientation). I have seen one other Prius
at the local grocery store with similar deformation,
so I know it is not an isolated case.

Joel

HTMLSpinnr · 11-17-2004, 01:55 PM

Wow - I'm going to have to take a peek at my tail-lenses today. Out here in PHX, I can imagine things get VERY hot which could easily cause this problem if I've got an affected assembly.

HTMLSpinnr · 11-25-2004, 02:01 AM

Sure enough, my right rear is starting to deform in the middle row of segments. A few really hot days here in AZ and it will probably worsen. I'll mention this to my dealer next time I'm in.

TucsonPrius · 11-25-2004, 03:29 PM

I just checked my today, and yep, they are melting and deforming. I'll wait for a while before seeing about getting them replaced under warranty; Toyota may change the type of plastic, and no sense getting them replaced twice.

Thanks,
Shawn

peart75 · 11-26-2004, 06:32 PM

can someoen post a picture so i know what to look for? i looked at mine and didn't see anything out of the norm.

thanks,
-drew

CHART · 11-26-2004, 07:13 PM

Hmmm. Mine look fine. I had the youngest CHARTLet press the brakes for me to make sure I was looking in the right place (Probably not really smart as I have red light dancing in my eyes now...) Other than two vertical LEDs out (black) in each section, which seems normal as it is in the same place in each section, mine seem fine.

11-17-2004, 11:39 AM	#1
efred500 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Brake light melting Just took my Prius to the dealership for a problem that I have not seen listed on the forum. The brake housing on both brake lights has melted due to what looks to be a heat related problem. It is the multi segment brake unit of the tall light that has melted. The driver side is worst than the passenger side, but both sides show the problem. I believe that the brake light assy. is an LED device, so the problem is elsewhere. Is is possible that the heat from the amber signal light in conjunction with the red running light could create this problem? Both are regular incandescent lights. The dealer has not seen this problem before and cannot offer an explanation as to the cause. They have ordered both tail light assys. to be replaced. Has anybody experienced the same problem? Thanks, Eugene

11-17-2004, 01:47 PM	#5
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,408 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Brake light melting It's just as well, as I offerred not the best msg #. Here is the sequence that seems relavent. Nothing new in topic has been posted since 25 Oct. Message 21204 From: "leoj_ruhtra" <joel_REITZ@b...> Date: Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:41 pm Subject: Brake Light Deformation Has anyone else noticed deformed brake lights? I have seen at least 2 '04 Prius with this problem. Toyota said they have not heard of this from anyone. I suspect that nobody has noticed, yet. Look at the black plastic frame behind the clear lens for the brake lights. This frame is the top set on each side in the back and contains 8 LEDs. I would be interested to know how many people also have this problem. Mine is deformed enough to obscure several LEDs, a potential safety issue. As I am in Portland Oregon, I would think this would be a bigger problem in warmer climates. Mine deformed on a 95 degree day. See the photos posted on this group under: photos/miscellaneus/brake light deformation Joel ++++++++++++ Message 21208 From: "texasaltima" <texasaltima@y...> Date: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:05 pm Subject: Re: Brake Light Deformation This is definetly covered by your Toyota Warranty. I would love to hear what your dealership has to say about it. I think we should contact toyota and ask them about this problem, maybe even send them some of your pictures. I am worried because I live in Texas and if your deform in a 95 degree day, I wonder how mine could be affected. I wonder what type of plastic they use for the black sections. I wouldn't be surprise if the chrome reflectors actually are the ones responsible for melting the plastic. I bet the light from the sun was reflected into the plastic, raising its temperature to the melting point. +++++++++++++ Message 21277 From: "leoj_ruhtra" <joel_REITZ@b...> Date: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:00 am Subject: Re: Brake Light Deformation I am thinking that Toyota changed the plastic content. My VIN is under 100000, delivered in October '04. With the feedback, I will ask for a replacment. I didn't want to do that if they had not fixed the problem. BTW, my car simply sat in my driveway facing north and uphill for one day (I usually park it in the opposite orientation). I have seen one other Prius at the local grocery store with similar deformation, so I know it is not an isolated case. Joel __________________ DAS Tochatihu, the Hopi hummingbird kachina

11-26-2004, 06:32 PM	#9
peart75 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: san diego Posts: 104 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Brake light melting can someoen post a picture so i know what to look for? i looked at mine and didn't see anything out of the norm. thanks, -drew

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11-17-2004, 01:18 PM	#2
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,408 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Brake light melting See post # 21229 et seq. at yahoo Prius-2G group.

11-17-2004, 01:35 PM	#3
jchu Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 1,063 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	For those of us who are monogomous and don't flirt with Yahoo could someone crosspost the above mention post #21229

11-17-2004, 01:55 PM	#6
HTMLSpinnr Gen III Forums Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 4,072 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 215 Thanked 437 Times in 196 Posts Friends: 18	Wow - I'm going to have to take a peek at my tail-lenses today. Out here in PHX, I can imagine things get VERY hot which could easily cause this problem if I've got an affected assembly.

11-25-2004, 02:01 AM	#7
HTMLSpinnr Gen III Forums Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 4,072 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 215 Thanked 437 Times in 196 Posts Friends: 18	Sure enough, my right rear is starting to deform in the middle row of segments. A few really hot days here in AZ and it will probably worsen. I'll mention this to my dealer next time I'm in.

11-25-2004, 03:29 PM	#8
TucsonPrius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 160 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I just checked my today, and yep, they are melting and deforming. I'll wait for a while before seeing about getting them replaced under warranty; Toyota may change the type of plastic, and no sense getting them replaced twice. Thanks, Shawn

11-26-2004, 07:13 PM	#10
CHART Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Mount Airy Maryland, USA Posts: 184 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hmmm. Mine look fine. I had the youngest CHARTLet press the brakes for me to make sure I was looking in the right place (Probably not really smart as I have red light dancing in my eyes now...) Other than two vertical LEDs out (black) in each section, which seems normal as it is in the same place in each section, mine seem fine.