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Replaced Turn Signals, Fog Lights, High Beams, Parking Lights & Rear License Plate Bulbs

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by stream, Jun 13, 2009.

  1. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    I'm getting a lot of mods done to the car today. I'm going to take before and after pictures and post here. I forgot to mention, but am hoping they can install a couple of HID conversions for the fog/high beam lights. I'm sure they can, they are a car modification place.

    -Brad
     
  2. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    Replaced the headlights and fog lights with HID lights. They tend to flicker for a good bit when warming up. I still think it is better than the stock bulbs!

    [​IMG] DSC_0013.jpg

    DSC_0014.jpg
     
  3. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    May I ask what brand is that? It seems to me they, the high bean and fog, are blueish than then your stock LED head light, right?
     
  4. SDM44

    SDM44 Señor Member

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    HIDs should not flicker. Mine don't flicker, and I'm using some cheapo $30 Ebay HID kit (same ballast that I've ran for the past 1.5 years now, just got different size bulbs now). Check your connections and make sure all plugs are tightly sealed to the ballast. If you have a ground wire that you're using, change the location for a better one. It sounds like the voltage regulator built into the ballasts or the external relays attached to the ballasts.
     
  5. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    Agree and that's why I ask who made the kit. Btw, I thought my $60 kit is cheap and you are 1/2 of that. Can't beat that!
     
  6. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    The brands are xentec. I am really unhappy with them. One fog lights flickers noticeably, both of the high beams flicker. I checked the connections. The highbeams randomly go out, (one of the other) and you have to re-engage them to get them to come back on. When they are on, it's like flipping on the daylight. It is absolutely crazy-cool. However, these were cheapo units. I think I am going to order new ones, I'll see if there's any way to resolve the issue where I got these. (amazon, or ebay.)

    Also hlkc, yeah these are bluer. I thought that would be cool, and they look neat, but I'm not so sure I like it. If I order new ones, I'm going to order them one shade yellower and less blue than these. I think these were 5-6000 kelvin, and I'm going to go warmer on the next. The thing that sucks is I was lazy and paid to have them installed. The price wasn't that bad though. I did check all the connections and even helped them out a little. They tested everything with multimeters.

    It is a plug-and-play kit. There was no extra ground wire, there was no relay or any direct connection to the battery. I've had success with these in the past.

    ALSO! anyone considering doing this with your fog lights, GO FOR IT! The increase in brightness, lumens, street signs being illuminated is night and day. I have not had one car blink their brights at me for my fogs. They seem to be well focused, but help a lot.

    -Brad
     
  7. itndave

    itndave Junior Member

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    HID flickering is a sure sign of power starvation, usually noticeable when the lights are turned on. enormous amounts of power is required to ignite the bulb, after ignition they require less constant voltage. This is why relay kits are recommended options. This pulls current directly from the battery. To verify if you have an issue, in the comfort of your garage or driveway, disconnect a complete side of lighting, ie passenger or driver side headlight and fog light, turn the car on (lights will flicker if ignition is not on, charging the 12v battery) and test, first with just headlight, then fog light, maybe add another fog light.....
     
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  8. renzo1200

    renzo1200 Junior Member

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    Can anyone confirm if 194/168 wedge style bulbs would fit the parking lights?

    Thanks in advance

    -G
     
  9. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    G,

    Yes, it is. Parking, side and rear lisc frame are using the same 194/168 wedge bulb. However the rear lisc frame one needs to be smaller and shorter in order to fit in the rear lisc frame bulb housing.
     
  10. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

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    yes, the front clear above the headlight assembly, and the amber ones below the headlight assembly. I have changed mine to 5 bulb LED lamps, except for the right (passenger side) amber light, that needs more disassembly to be able to get to it to change it.

    other lamps that are 194 style: the 2 license plate lights, the 2 interior lights near the mirror, and the 2 lights for the driver/passenger vanity mirror.
     
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Alright so half of my white WLEDs from superbrightleds are not working.

    the ones in the rear licence plate have all 5 smds illuminated. The ones in the front parking lights only have 2 or 3 smds left (2 on the pass side and 3 on the driver's side). Could the small area be shortening the life of the LEDs or did I just happen to get two bad ones?

    any other suggestions to get LED bulbs?
     
  12. SDM44

    SDM44 Señor Member

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    I have the same 5-SMD LEDs for my rear license plate. One of them has all 5 LEDs lit up. The other one has 4 lit up. the 1 LED was actually flickering for a little while until it finally died. I've seen these go out from time to time, so I just picked up 4 spares since it was they were only $.99 each on Ebay (they're all made in China, probably from the same factory, regardless of who sells them)
     
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well these are worse than the e-bay ones I bought for the 2005 Prius in a way that the e-bay ones lasted 3 years and this one lasted 3-4 months! Granted, this is whiter than the e-bay one but the life is short!
     
  14. Hazyman

    Hazyman New Member

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    nice post! will these bulbs consume more power than the original ones?
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    So no other suggestions? Should I just stick with superbrightleds (And assume I got some bad ones?)
     
  16. liskipper

    liskipper Member

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    The same thing happened to me. I think that they are just lousy, cheap, typical low quality Chinese bulbs. At least so far they haven't taken out the wiring.
     
  17. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    Mine was not installed long I can't comment yet but they are super white and bright and love it so far. Hope it will last long. If anyone know a place that sell such item and last long, please post info. Thanks!
     
  18. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    You should contact them as they are fairly responsive for returns of malfunctioning bulbs. I exchanged a couple of bulbs myself with no questions asked, although the question is whether you want to receive bulbs from the same manufacturers. The ones I replaced started flickering before one of the SMD panels stopped working (although there are still 4 working panels).
     
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Sounds good guys, thanks!!

    liskipper, my cheap chinese bulbs from ebay lasted 3 years on the 2005.
     
  20. daveshrader

    daveshrader The BLUEgrass Express

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    I have 2005 touring Prius. Do you think the bulb? you are talking about will just plug into my existing Fog/Driving lights without modification? Which bulb exactly if they will please.
    Thanks