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prius headlight bulb too bright

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kevin D, Oct 1, 2015.

  1. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    So I put in a new Phillips D4R HID headlight and its really bright and I checked my highbeams and the new bulb doesent get any brighter. Is there something I have to adjust or is the bulb pointing too high up?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    With HID, the change from low beam to high beam is caused by a mechanical shutter which adjusts how high the light pattern is cast. The brightness of the light does not change between low and high.
     
  3. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    So is my new bulb junk? Should I just take it back out and re-adjust it? Im tired of people flashing me haha
     
  4. dat2109

    dat2109 Junior Member

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    Sounds like the highbeam is stuck on and there is nothing wrong with your low beam bulb.
     
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I don't think you understand how HID lights work, as your post makes no sense. Refer post #2 by Patrick.
     
  6. dat2109

    dat2109 Junior Member

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    I am pretty sure I do understand, but thanks for your concern. I'm attaching a video that should help clear it up for you or to anyone else. While HID headlamps have been standard equipment on many cars since the 90's they are still new to many. Note that not all cars have 'bi-level' style lamps - that is where one HID bulb, with one filament provides the lighting for both your low beams and high beams.

     
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    There was no sound on that video so wasn't especially able to understand what the guy was explaining. But from what I could see, he seemed to be showing how high beam is achieved by the moving of the shutter. There is only one lamp, and the change from low beam to high beam is caused by a mechanical shutter which adjusts how high the light pattern is cast, as demonstrated in the video.

    As far as I understand, if the lamp is not "bi-xenon", it is low beam only.

    I would be interested if you could point me to information of the dual lamp HID's (i. e. a discrete lamp for each of the high and low beams) to which you allude.