Tail Light replacement

Maytrix · 01-20-2006, 01:45 PM

I have a broken tail light. How it broke, I have no idea and I'm really annoyed by it. I discovered it the other day washing the car - It looks like something hit it at the very top of the tail light. The pieces that broke off are actually sitting inside it.

Anyway, I had 2 questions I was hoping someone could answer.

1) Any idea to the cost of a new taillight? (It's an 05)
2) How difficult is to replace? Or should I just have the dealer do it. I imagine it would be under an hour?

Thanks in advance!

Maytrix · 01-20-2006, 08:04 PM

No one has had to do this at all? Even on an 04?

Come on, surely someone must have backed into something and broken one before..

mdmikemd · 01-20-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maytrix@Jan 20 2006, 08:04 PM
No one has had to do this at all? Even on an 04?

Come on, surely someone must have backed into something and broken one before..

[snapback]194362[/snapback]

Can't help you with how to do it, but check this out:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?s...prclo=&saprchi=

galaxee · 01-20-2006, 08:12 PM

DH has replaced a few taillights. he's on some highway somewhere in GA or SC though... get back to ya tomorrow if that's cool?

Maytrix · 01-21-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mdmikemd@Jan 20 2006, 08:10 PM
Can't help you with how to do it, but check this out:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?s...prclo=&saprchi=

[snapback]194369[/snapback]

Thanks for the link. Too bad for me it's my right tail light

mdmikemd · 01-21-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maytrix@Jan 21 2006, 10:07 AM
Thanks for the link. Too bad for me it's my right tail light

[snapback]194625[/snapback]

There was a right sided tail light for sale. The auction was ending in 30 minutes when I posted.

Maytrix · 01-21-2006, 03:12 PM

Well, I discovered something else today, which explains how this happened. At the bottom of the taillight, there's a small dent and scuff on the tail light itself. So, it appears someone hit me in a parking lot. The bottom part was hit, but pushed the top of it so tight that it cracked.

craigcush · 01-21-2006, 03:44 PM

Our car is very fragile back there. Same thing happened to me from a pick up truck.
Two weeks later I was rear ended hard and the car totaled. Go figure.

Do a google, back when it happened to me retail was 177.00, shopped around and one dealer would sell for 155.00. Dealer cost was 78.00.

REAL pain to replace, dealer did mine, I think is was about 60.00 labor.

Order on line or ask the dealer of they will match your quote since they have the labor.

Regardless of the actual numbers in tests the prius stops very quick in a panic stop from my perspective. I have had three 'stupid tourist' moves cut in front of me last year and could not believe we didn't hit. Very cool.

When I went to the body shop to clean out my totaled driftwood I saw three prius', all rear ended. What are the chances?

I tap my brake a lot now to back off the tailgaters.

Maytrix · 01-21-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by craigcush@Jan 21 2006, 03:44 PM
Our car is very fragile back there. Same thing happened to me from a pick up truck.
Two weeks later I was rear ended hard and the car totaled. Go figure.

Do a google, back when it happened to me retail was 177.00, shopped around and one dealer would sell for 155.00. Dealer cost was 78.00.

REAL pain to replace, dealer did mine, I think is was about 60.00 labor.

Order on line or ask the dealer of they will match your quote since they have the labor.

Regardless of the actual numbers in tests the prius stops very quick in a panic stop from my perspective. I have had three 'stupid tourist' moves cut in front of me last year and could not believe we didn't hit. Very cool.

When I went to the body shop to clean out my totaled driftwood I saw three prius', all rear ended. What are the chances?

I tap my brake a lot now to back off the tailgaters.

[snapback]194809[/snapback]

At least you knew who did it. I'm ticked off that someone did this and just left. At any rate,

I'm going to see if my brother-in-law can order it. He owns an auto shop, so I can get it at his cost. I can probably even have him replace it. I just need to figure out if it's worth fixing the dent.

Thanks for the responses.

galaxee · 01-21-2006, 06:47 PM

there are 3 studs that hold the light in place. basically you take the nuts off the studs on the old light, stick the new light on, and put the nuts on the new one. there's one connector to put together.

sounds like it's not too hard. good luck on getting it taken care of, always nice to have a car person in the family, i can testify to that!

01-20-2006, 01:45 PM	#1
Maytrix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Marlborough, Mass Posts: 733 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have a broken tail light. How it broke, I have no idea and I'm really annoyed by it. I discovered it the other day washing the car - It looks like something hit it at the very top of the tail light. The pieces that broke off are actually sitting inside it. Anyway, I had 2 questions I was hoping someone could answer. 1) Any idea to the cost of a new taillight? (It's an 05) 2) How difficult is to replace? Or should I just have the dealer do it. I imagine it would be under an hour? Thanks in advance! __________________ __________________________________________________ 2005 Salsa Red Pkg #6. Acquired Sept 1st 2005. 31404 miles as of 9-13-06

01-21-2006, 03:44 PM	#8
craigcush Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sedona, Az Posts: 157 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Our car is very fragile back there. Same thing happened to me from a pick up truck. Two weeks later I was rear ended hard and the car totaled. Go figure. Do a google, back when it happened to me retail was 177.00, shopped around and one dealer would sell for 155.00. Dealer cost was 78.00. REAL pain to replace, dealer did mine, I think is was about 60.00 labor. Order on line or ask the dealer of they will match your quote since they have the labor. Regardless of the actual numbers in tests the prius stops very quick in a panic stop from my perspective. I have had three 'stupid tourist' moves cut in front of me last year and could not believe we didn't hit. Very cool. When I went to the body shop to clean out my totaled driftwood I saw three prius', all rear ended. What are the chances? I tap my brake a lot now to back off the tailgaters. __________________ Craig Sedona, AZ 05 Salsa Red #6 Door moulding, Mud guards, iPod W/iTrip Past vehicles, '05 Driftwood Prius #6-R.I.P., 1949 Cessna 195, Wills Wing hang gliders, Too many other cars, sailboats and motorcycles to list.

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01-20-2006, 08:04 PM	#2
Maytrix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Marlborough, Mass Posts: 733 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No one has had to do this at all? Even on an 04? Come on, surely someone must have backed into something and broken one before..

01-20-2006, 08:12 PM	#4
galaxee uphill battling Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 8,808 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 19	DH has replaced a few taillights. he's on some highway somewhere in GA or SC though... get back to ya tomorrow if that's cool?

01-21-2006, 03:12 PM	#7
Maytrix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Marlborough, Mass Posts: 733 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, I discovered something else today, which explains how this happened. At the bottom of the taillight, there's a small dent and scuff on the tail light itself. So, it appears someone hit me in a parking lot. The bottom part was hit, but pushed the top of it so tight that it cracked.

01-21-2006, 06:47 PM	#10
galaxee uphill battling Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 8,808 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 19	there are 3 studs that hold the light in place. basically you take the nuts off the studs on the old light, stick the new light on, and put the nuts on the new one. there's one connector to put together. sounds like it's not too hard. good luck on getting it taken care of, always nice to have a car person in the family, i can testify to that!