Video: replacing HID in less than 3 minutes

Is this the same for the regular (not HID) headlight (for gen 2)?

Did you get the customer's consent to show her license plate number in the video?

 

This is a place that having small hands is a real help. I've done it twice now, but it takes me longer (10-15 minutes) and involves a bit of cursing .

 

Good video, and she did it without cursing. I find cursing an essential part of any mechanical project.

Tom

 

Yes, more or less. See usbseawolf2000's videos with Tideland Prius' written instructions in:

http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...38842-how-change-headlamp-headlight-bulb.html

 

I see people cover the plate in photos all the time and I don't know why. Isn't the owner showing their plate every day while driving around? Why is it any worse putting it here?

 

Paranoia, perhaps :madgrin:?

 

Or, she did it quietly

 

Note the use of clean gloves (rubber in this case). It's critical to never get any kind of oil on an HID bulb, including skin oils, because they will attack the bulb at operating temperature and cause early failure.

 

I am amazed at (and in awe of) anyone who can change the Prius HID headlight bulb w/o removing the bumper & headlight assembly. I changed both of the HID bulbs in our 2006 Prius just yesterday by removing everything. Given that, within the headlight assembly itself, you have to 1) remove the large black plastic cover, 2) remove the electrical connector and 3) unhook the two wire holders that detain the bulb itself, I cannot imagine doing all that blind and in cramped quarters, no matter how small your hands! And then, getting that black plastic cover back on with it's 5 internal tabs that have to slide into corresponding indents in the housing without being able to see! Oh my!

Then again, I have fairly large hands and zero patience, so I am much better off going the bumper-removal route. I have the tools & time and, truth be told, it really was not that hard of a job (I am not super mechanically-inclined - kind of clumsy, in fact!). It took about 2 1/2 hours & the 2 bulbs cost me $70 on eBay. If & when the time comes again to replace the lights, I will once again remove the bumper!

Tom

 

Why don't you post a couple of pictures of your face here so all of us can see clearly who you are? Don't you walk around every day with your face exposed?

 

Well, some people do have their face as their pic by their name. No one tells them they shouldn't, like someone mentioned above about plates. I was just wondering, since I still don't know.

 

I would like to thank Luscious Garage for their work on my Prius. Toyota quoted me $655 for both headlights to be replaced, most of it labor because they said the front end had to come off. After finding LG, they quoted me hundreds less, and did it the way she demonstrates in the video.

If you are in the CA Bay Area, I recommend this garage, they are green, friendly, fair, and knowledgeable. I'll be going back.

 

After watching this video I decided that I could do this myself without removing the bumper. I did! Drivers side is easier than passenger contrary to what others have said. As she did, I removed the fuse cover and did as she did...... it took me longer than 2 min...being the amateur. The passenger side was quite a bit more time consuming. 1. removing the cowl work. 2. removing the air tube. 3. repositioning the windshield reservoir. Then you are there and it is easier than the drivers side..... BUT it takes 3 times as long because you have to dismantle that side. With that said, It took me about 50 minutes. Also, I got my set of lights for 49.99 plus shipping for a total of 56 and change from highperformancebulbs.com. I called them, they are very nice people to deal with. Ordered on Friday afternoon late and received them on Monday. Great service with as good a warranty as the dealer gives for $100 A BULB.

 

Hey, at half the price the warranty is twice as good

 

Just added another "Thanks" to the growing list for Carolyn's post. As already mentioned in the KB thread, I did my own halogens after watching her video doing the HIDs. After seeing her do it and looking at the car (and my Bentley manual) it seemed easy enough. All I removed was the plastic trim over the radiator, fuse box lid, and plastic vent tower next to the passenger side headlamp. Didn't need to mess with the washer reservoir at all. I don't have small hands and it was a bit tight and blind but not too bad to do by feel.
Quote from the dealer was $30 for a bulb and $100 for labor to do one headlamp. $260 for both. I grabbed a pair of Sylvania XTRAVISION 9003/HB2 H4 from the autoparts store for $23 and spent about an hour in the garage doing the swap. When I pulled out the old bulbs I learned that the previous owner had put in PIAA Xtreme White bulbs. They are rated brighter than what I put in, but so far I haven't noticed much difference.

- D

 

HID Headlight adjustment after changing bulbs

I have one question, I replaced both lights in 45 minutes without removing the bumper....... BUT...... Before I replaced the bulbs, when I turned them on they always did a quick shift up then down to adjust the auto level. They don't do this with the new bulbs, they just come on. Is there something I have to do to reinitialize the automatic level control? They lights seem to be in the correct spot, so..... what is the difference? Please help me on this.

Frank

 

I would just make sure you connect the ignitor to the HID bulb. Otherwise you could fry the ignitor and end up costing a lot more. But, props to whoever can do this. You have to have really small hands to get back there and a lot of cursing.

 

Re: HID Headlight adjustment after changing bulbs

The "shift up and down" is not actually the auto-level. What you are describing is a brighter flash as the bulbs strike. With some bulbs the flash is more obvious. I assume your new ones have less of a flash.

If you want to test the auto-leveling feature, turn on your headlights with them pointing at a wall. Make sure you are in Park with the parking brake set (for safety), get out and walk around back, and stand on the rear bumper. Your weight will make the headlamp pattern rise on the wall. After about two seconds the pattern should adjust down. Step off and the process will reverse.

Tom

 

Sounds good, sometimes they have a brighter flash and sometimes not.... so I guess it is normal. Thats cool with me then