How To: Change Headlamp / Headlight bulb

[ScottY]

Dennis, it was Sunrise Toyota located at 3984 Sunrise Hwy, Oakdale, NY 11769. I went to them because it was on the way to work.

[klskofn]

Will this work as well on the 2002 Prius? I have replacement bulbs just haven't figured out how to change the bulb. Thank you.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by klskofn

Will this work as well on the 2002 Prius? I have replacement bulbs just haven't figured out how to change the bulb. Thank you.

Well you have to see how the 02 Prius headlights are setup. I got the instructions off the owner's manual and then wrote up a more detailed version on the first page.


So take a quick look at the owner's manual and that should help you get started!

[hobbit]

If it's any reassurance [or discouragement, dunno], those boots
are pretty damn difficult to get to and wrangle, especially for
folks with larger hands. At some point I'll have to replace
some of these lamps and if I have time, I'll look for ways to make
it easier and do a pictorial. I think last time I tool a look
I removed a couple of the accessible bolts on the headlight unit
and the half-inch raise thus gained actually helped quite a bit.
The third bolt is buried under the plastic nose, unfortunately,
but I think there's some semi-fast way to get to it which I
don't actually know yet.
.
If these things had some kind of soft-start circuitry, even with
an inefficient resistor dropped in the way just long enough to
gently warm the filaments before slammin' 'em with full zoobs,
they'd probably last a lot longer. Why do ya think that they
often fail in COLD weather?? Thermal shock to the filament.
There's a reason that theatrical lighting dimmers usually offer
a preheat option. Speaking of expensive bulbs...
.
_H*

[klskofn]

tideland, I looked in the manual and there is nothing that I've found that involves helping change the headlights. I'm rather irritated with the whole thing. Thanks for your help. I know that the Chilton manual does not come out until February. hopefully i can find something before they go out.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by klskofn

tideland, I looked in the manual and there is nothing that I've found that involves helping change the headlights. I'm rather irritated with the whole thing. Thanks for your help. I know that the Chilton manual does not come out until February. hopefully i can find something before they go out.

really? well that's annoying. I thought most Toyota manuals have the DIY section at the back. They cover the parking lights, headlights, taillights/brakelights and reverse lights and indicators.


You could PM Frank Hudon. He has a Classic Prius and can help you out!

Another alternative is PriusOnline or Yahoo! Prius Owners group. They have a good number of 1st gen Prius owners.

[wired]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

really? well that's annoying. I thought most Toyota manuals have the DIY section at the back. They cover the parking lights, headlights, taillights/brakelights and reverse lights and indicators.


You could PM Frank Hudon. He has a Classic Prius and can help you out!

Another alternative is PriusOnline or Yahoo! Prius Owners group. They have a good number of 1st gen Prius owners.

I have an 05, but happened to have an 04 manual laying around the house. I checked and on page 303 there is a section with illustrations on how to change the headlight bulb, although it shows right side only.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by wired

I have an 05, but happened to have an 04 manual laying around the house. I checked and on page 303 there is a section with illustrations on how to change the headlight bulb, although it shows right side only.

It's the same manual. I have an 05 and I have an 04 PDF manual too.

His is a 2002, it's a different model all together.

[usbseawolf2000]

Wow, what a surprise. My driver side bulb is dead. I made sure I did not touch the bulb when I installed it. I have about 5k miles with it in about 2 months.

I'll give Philips a call tomorrow.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

Wow, what a surprise. My driver side bulb is dead. I made sure I did not touch the bulb when I installed it. I have about 5k miles with it in about 2 months.

I'll give Philips a call tomorrow.

Interesting. Mine are ok. I've been doing a lot of night driving (mostly early morning and evening esp. since the sun sets before 4! So any afternoon errands will be in the dark. So far so good.


They'll probably just ask that you send it in for a replacement. It's been two months already?! wow.