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Headlight bulb replacement - Gen II = Gen III?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PA Prius, Aug 31, 2015.

  1. PA Prius

    PA Prius Active Member

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    I've replaced the HID bulb in my '04. I have an extra bulb for my '04. A friend's '11 needs replacement. Is my '04 bulb the same as his '11 and is about the same process to swap out the bulb?

    PA P
     
    #1 PA Prius, Aug 31, 2015
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Gen 3 (USDM) doesn't have an HID equipped Prius. It's either halogen (H11), or LED.
     
    #2 xliderider, Aug 31, 2015
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  3. szgabor

    szgabor Active Member

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    And the passanger side replacement is a bitch unless you have a very small hand (suggested process is to remove the windowasher fluid holder first .. etc) .... I was able to do it without that but it is not easy. The other side (driver) is easy. My car has the H11 halogen bulbs
     
    #3 szgabor, Sep 1, 2015
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  4. PA Prius

    PA Prius Active Member

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    Okay, thanks to both of you. So it sounds like the installation process is similar to Gen II and III. I had replaced the passenger side of our Gen II, with the help of my wife's small hands. I saw instructions for Gen III elsewhere and thought it looked a lot simpler, but it looks now like that is not the case.
     
    #4 PA Prius, Sep 1, 2015
  5. szgabor

    szgabor Active Member

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    Don't get me wrong .. the process is simpler on GENIII (I had GEN-II as well) but the passenger side has very very little clearance ... the trick for me was NOT to attach the cable as the manual says ... but put the bulb in and then reattach the cable .... ... and I practiced first with the old bulb until I got it right ...
     
    #5 szgabor, Sep 1, 2015
  6. PA Prius

    PA Prius Active Member

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    Thanks. I replace the passenger side on my Gen II and my friends is driver's side of Gen III. I forwarded him the instructions and he is going to try it himself. I think it will go okay since it is driver's side.
     
    #6 PA Prius, Sep 1, 2015
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    It is recommended that bulbs be replaced in pairs, not individually, because they get dimmer with age. Replace both bulbs, keep the old working bulb as an emergency spare.

    Yes, replacing the passenger side bulb is a PITA! Make sure to check that the bulb has been seated correctly, it is easy to mount it at an angle, because it's so hard to reach in there. Leaving the bulb mounted incorrectly might cause damage to the headlight assembly from the heat of the bulb (melting plastic) requiring replacement of the entire headlight housing.
     
    #7 xliderider, Sep 1, 2015
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