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04 Prius Headlight going out on new HID?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Rio Kamimura, Feb 10, 2016.

  1. Rio Kamimura

    Rio Kamimura Junior Member

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    Hey everyone, Just installed a new HID not too long ago and every so often the headlight will go out on the hid i just replaced. I stop the car and adjust the socket and the light starts working again. Lately when i do this it'll work for about 5min and shut off again and i have to adjust the socket. I tried using electrical tape to get the socket in place but no luck. Anyone have any experience with this?
     
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Lots of experience, but what are you talking about?

    Did you install a new HID kit, a new HID buib, a new HID ballast, what? "HID" is "High Intensity Discharge", it is a type of something, not "a something". Akin to saying: "Just installed a new red not too long ago and every so often the headlight will go out of the red I just replaced".

    When the bulb flickers, it is usually a bad bulb. It can be a bad ballast and it can be a bad wiring harness. Step one, swap the problem child and see if the symptoms follow it. If the left bulb keeps dying, then swap the left and right bulbs. If the left bulb (which is now the old right bulb that didn't have the issue) starts dying all the time, then it would be a good guess that the bulb is not the problem. If the problem follows and now the right side starts going out all the time, then it is a bad bulb, replace it. If the problem stays on the left side then it could be the ballasts. So swap the ballasts. Again see if the problem follows. If it is doesn't follow then it is most likely wiring.
     
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  3. Rio Kamimura

    Rio Kamimura Junior Member

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    Thank you. I switched out the HID bulb, it seems like the problem might be the ballast or the wiring because the bulb works completely fine, itll just stop working when i drive around and itll work again if i pop open the hood and adjust the headlight socket
     
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Sounds like you have dirty or corroded electrical contacts/terminals in your bulb socket(s). Adjusting the wiring causes contact, then later the contact is lost due to vibration while driving.

    Replace or clean the contacts/terminals.
     
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  5. Rio Kamimura

    Rio Kamimura Junior Member

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    Thanks! is there any guide or tutorials on how to do this? sorry, a newbie here