Headlight out

Do you have HID headlights or standard? I've never had this trouble with my 2006 which has HID.

Tom

 

You posted in GenII section but your profile said you have GenIII.

GenIII doesn't have HID (LED instead) option. Your profile said you have a base model so most likely you have Halogen bulbs. Headlight supposed to be sealed so water cannot get in.

Visually check if there is any crack.

 

But the OP's post clearly states 2006. This is a Gen II.

Tom

 

Sounds like it is either an aftermarket headlight already, or it is cracked. You might as well follow the procedure that has you unfastening the top part of the bumper and pull the entire headlight assembly out.

 

If it is the OEM Halogen housing, make sure the rubber boot in the back is tightened (CW screwed) right.

 

Moisture in the headlight will often destroy your headlight. Thankfully the halogen bulbs are cheap. Unfortunately a new headlight assembly is not cheap so hopefully the back cover is loose.

 

If you are going to remove it to investigate, might as well retrofit it with projectors. =D

 

Agreed! I almost pity those with stock headlights. Even the HID equipped Prii have terrible lighting compared to projectors.

 

Check with Steve at Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV to see if he can supply a salvaged headlight assembly.

JeffD

 

Used headlights are very hard to find and usually not worth it. Most total-loss collisions are front-end, which takes out one or both headlights. So most wrecks in the salvage yard will not have them intact. The other problem is that they will be sold with leveling motor, bulb and ballast, making the asking price in the few hundreds, while you only need the housing/lens, which is about $260 online, and a bulb (Amazon, $48).

 

Gen II Prius with HID have factory fog lamps.

Tom

 

Well, the good news is as stated before, Halogen bulbs are cheap. The bad news is until you replace the cracked housing, your gonna keep blowing bulbs. Halogens run HOT and you know what happens when you throw water on hot glass, it shatters!
It might be expensive to replace, but your going to have to do it eventually. You might as well do it now, and save yourself the P.I.A. of replacing Halogen bulbs as well as knuckless !

 

Interesting, there is a TSB fresh out for 07-09 headlight condensation. Warranty is only 3/36. But what about '06, which is the same assembly as 07-09? Anyway, should someone with a moisture/condensation problem stumble across this thread, the TSB is at

http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...75-headlight-condensation-t-sb-0188-11-a.html

 

^^^
Maybe there was a subtle change to the assemblies starting w/07 and/or change in suppliers?