In the UK, they have a manually height-adjustable low beam switch that has 5 positions (with 0 being the default level with no passengers or cargo onboard and increasingly aims the lights down as the numbers increase [because the front of the car would be pointing up as the rear of the car squats]). In the US, we have an auto-levelling system but only with the LED headlights on the Five models
Funny, my 2012 Tundra has that feature. I guess it makes more sense in a pickup. When the back end is loaded down with stuff or a trailer, you would need to re-aim the headlight down some to compensate.
Here in the UK and Europe, this headlight adjuster has been pretty much standard I'd say on 75% of cars on the market. My old 1996 Volvo 850R even had it. It's a safety thing as once people start sitting in the back seats the headlights start shining in oncoming traffic so you can if you so wish, adjust them down
It's essential for towing because you'll always have that one stupid <insert profanity of choice> who leaves them pointing up at the 747 in the sky blinding anyone at ground level! Here's a levelling switch, not from a Prius but its the same thing
This thread is making me want to purchase a better kit than my DDM kit. Although, the DDM kit has given me zero problems and was well worth my money. I'm not about to start a DDM vs. other kit argument I just wanted to say I'm tempted. Nice work and pictures to OP and other contributors!
Looks like Xenonsupply and the ebay link supplies a different kit. I received my kit today directly from Xenon supply and the box is different than the OPs. The double stick tape I received is also marked 3M. Just wanted to be sure you didn't buy a kit that was represented as Xenonsupply but actually wasn't My kit is also missing actual connectors to go into the factory harness. The Xenon supply kit I received has 2 wires with leads without a plastic connector. I hope they don't expect me to insert those leads into my factory harness and considered that ''Plug and Play'' Lets see how good their customer service is. Because even on their video, they have connectors.
In other forums, they are reported to have excellent customer service. They are also located in the LA area, on Figueroa St. I even read on another forum that one of the owners of the shop drove to a customers house and got everything working for them. I got my kit from them and it came with the actual connectors that go into the factory harness. The 2 wire leads is wrong. My guess is that they sent you the wrong bulbs or wires.
I ordered directly from xenonsupply.com. I shared the link above. I don't care what the double sided tape says Everything worker perfectly for me! I couldn't be happier.
I sent them a message, they got back to me the next day. They said it was ''absolutely ok'' to plug the bare spades into the factory harness. They said they switched to bare spades because customers were having polarity issues, but in the video of theirs, they note that if they don't light up, reverse the connector. I have a 4300k kit if that makes a difference. While I would prefer a connector for water resistance and OEM look, I'll just wrap it in self sealing tape after I plug it in.
Oopps..looks like I got confused. Someone else recommended that eBay seller. Not a big fan of the new forum change! Seems like it wastes so much space! Your install makes me wonder if I even ''need'' the additional wiring harness.
If you order the xenonsupply.com kit in the link I shared above, there is absolutely no need for the $20 harness. It's purely plug and play.
jblackwell is correct. There is no need for the relay harness. I initially tried it as direct plug and play and it worked perfectly. However, I was uncomfortable with the kit drawing power directly from the factory harness. So I invested a little extra money and time and got the relay harnesses from eBay and wired them in. I feel better now every time the headlights turn on. This level of precaution may not be necessary but was worth it in my book.
To start you should know my wrenching experience. I typically do my own fluid swaps, brakes, suspension, audio, and exhaust related repairs/mods. I recently redid the entire front suspension of my truck (install/remove coilovers shocks to have rebuilt, tie rods, ball joints), etc. I've had nothing but problems installing my Xenon supply H11 4300k kit today. Ballast went in easy enough, and the bulb fired right up. No ground shadow, and twice as bright as the halogen (judging during daylight beam on wall) and I was stoked Spent a ton of time getting the bulbs in. Took 2.5hrs of fumbling and I finally had to put back the old ones since I have plans tonight. Ballast went in in under 10mins per side. Looks like the XS kit I received has the bulb tabs 1/16 to 1/8'' lower than the OEM bulb (its hard to tell in the pic). That could be causing the fitment issues. For me to mount the driver side HID bulb I had to take off the red o ring/grommet. For the passenger side, even with the rubber off the bulb wouldn't sit in there flush. I tried re-inserting the OEM halogen Philips bulb and it went in with 1 try (and I did it 5 times just to be sure it wasn't me) I'd prefer to install w/ gasket to prevent dust and condensation inside the projectors. The 2nd issue I have with the XS kit is the lack of a weatherproof connector. I checked with their CS and they said inserting the spades into the factory harness is absolutely ok. Sure, electrical tape or self sealing tape would work, but I'd prefer a connector (as seen on their install video for the Prius). It does work, though. Third issue I had was a loose rubber shroud. When you're trying to rotate the bulb to secure the tabs, the rubber piece printed with the bulb size and color temp just spins around the plastic socket. Twist too much and Im guessing you might break a connection. OEM is solid and allows you to rotate the bulb easily. Not sure if they went with a different/cheaper supplier, but I was expecting better quality than this when I could of just gone with a cheaper ebay special or Morimoto. I didn't because of the ground wire shadow. I've had after market HID since they use to cost $800 for Philips bulb and ballasts (circa 2000-2001) and installed 6 sets since. I have submitted this to their CS, so I'll keep you guys posted.
If I remember correctly, you should cut the rubber gourmet and discard the wires with the flat pins. The wire that's connected to the bulb has a plug and play socket that should connect to the ballast instead of connecting the flat pins to the socket that goes to the ballast. I can be wrong. I know I did not do the same thing you did as far as connections are concerned. BTW, mine had plastic tabs instead of a metal one like the one shown in post #1 or 2. Check the OP's photo's and compare your's. If you did not took out the bolt that holds the air intake, it will be very hard to put the bulb in on the passsenger side.
Strange. The bulbs I got from Xenon Supply looks different. The ground return wire insulation is white on mine, not brown as shown in your picture. Also the tabs on mine is plastic, not metal. The bulbs went in on the first try and was a perfect fit. Also, the connection to the factory harness was an appropriate connector, not just some bare metal spade plugs. I checked on Xenon Supply website again just now and they have 2 kits for the Prius. One kit sells for $89.99 and it's their "standard" kit which has their standard ballast and standard bulbs. The other is their "featured package" selling for $129.99 and has the upgraded slim digital AC ballast and upgraded bulbs. Here is the link: HID Kits | Xenon Kits | HID Lights I wonder which kit you got. I got their featured package and had none of the issues you are having.
When did you order and receive your kit? I'm wondering if they changed suppliers for cost savings. No reversible connector like how they have in their video, poor fit on bulb. I assume you were able to install your bulbs with the red o ring still attached right?
