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Driver's HID Bulb Braided Connector Lost?!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by macdelorean, Nov 23, 2011.

  1. macdelorean

    macdelorean New Member

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    2008 Prius
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    Hello PriusChat!

    After reading several of the threads here and watching numerous YouTube videos, I was able to successfully replace my passenger side HID bulb and almost successfully replace my driver's side HID bulb.

    I say almost because the new driver's side bulb has been aligned and clamped down with the dual wire clips, but I literally cannot find the braided HID bulb connector to reattach to the bulb.

    Due to the limited feeling and viewing area caused by the fuse box, I cannot feel or see anything resembling this connector. I have moved the round black plastic cover back and forth to look for it and even stuck a compact mirror in and around but have had no luck finding it.

    Has this happened to anyone else who has opted to replace the bulbs themselves with the bumper on?

    Is the braided connector braided all the way to its source or is it eventually shielded with rubber/electrical tape?

    By the way, where is the source of the braided connector?

    I would attempt to remove the bumper and look for it, but my apartment complex tends to frown on major car repair/disassembly on their property and I already received several evil stares just for having the hood propped up.

    Thank you in advance for your help!
     
    #1 macdelorean, Nov 23, 2011
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The connector is threaded through the housing. It slips between the chrome plastic reflector and the main housing body. It terminates at the HID ballast located at the bottom of the entire assembly. I hope it did not slip too far because it's a pain to retrieve.

    Try sticking your hand inside the assembly and feel around between the chrome reflector and main body of the assembly. The part your headlight bulb clips into is the reflector.
     
    #2 F8L, Nov 23, 2011
  3. macdelorean

    macdelorean New Member

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    2008 Prius
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    Thanks so much for the reply!

    I'm afraid it might have slipped all the way through to the bottom. The only braided cables I can feel are the 2 small black rubber braided cables that loop around in the bottom of the chrome reflector.
     
    #3 macdelorean, Nov 23, 2011
  4. fgoodyear

    fgoodyear New Member

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    Mine did the same thing, you have to take out the headlight housing and turn it upside down and shake it out. You WON"T get it out while it is mounted in the car, it goes way down inside the housing. However, you don't have to take the whole bumper off. Take the screws and clips loose on that side and pull the bumper cover loose until you can get to the 3 mounting bolts. Take them loose and it will come out easily. It isn't as difficult as the dealer makes it out to be. The whole bumper never has to come off. Good luck, it only took me about an hour to figure it out.
     
    #4 fgoodyear, Dec 7, 2011
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