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Both lowbeams stopped working

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by JaymzB0nd, Feb 7, 2012.

  1. JaymzB0nd

    JaymzB0nd Junior Member

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    I searched the forums and Google in general but couldn't find anything about this on Gen 3s.

    Started my car this morning (2010) and both low beams aren't working. When set to on, only the daytime running lights come on (and yes I made sure the light switch was turned all the way). High beams work fine. Turned car off/on but still no good.

    Before I take the car to the dealer, I was hoping someone here could have a cheaper fix. My car has halogens, not HID. Thanks.
     
    #1 JaymzB0nd, Feb 7, 2012
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    There are no DRL's on a USA 2010 Prius. Also, 2010 had no HID's. The Prius V for 2010 had LED's.

    Check and see if there is a fuse for the headlights, if there is, maybe it's blown? Haven't heard this problem with the Gen III.

    Also, moving this thread to the appropriate forum.
     
    #2 Paradox, Feb 7, 2012
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Look in your Owner's Manual for the fuse description section. There is a fuse in the engine compartment, #19 - P/I 2, that is for the low beam headlamps along with the horn and a few other items. Check to see if the horn will blow. If not, it is most likely this fuse has blown.
     
    #3 jdcollins5, Feb 7, 2012
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  4. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    If not the fuse, it may be a problem with the stalk switch.
     
    #4 RRxing, Feb 7, 2012
  5. JaymzB0nd

    JaymzB0nd Junior Member

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    Thanks guys. I checked the fuse before I went but it looked fine.

    Ended up going to the dealer and being told it may cost as much as $117 just for figuring out what the problem is. Fortunately they messed around with it and found out quickly that unplugging and plugging the bulbs back in made them work.

    Bad news is they don't have any idea why the lights stopped working but good news is they work fine and there was no charge for the fix.
     
    #5 JaymzB0nd, Feb 8, 2012
    Wimberley2 likes this.
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Glad to hear you were able to get the problem fixed.
     
    #6 jdcollins5, Feb 8, 2012
  7. ToesF15

    ToesF15 New Member

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    So I have a 2010 Prius III with 45,600 miles on it and had THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN - BOTH low beams went out at the same time. Having read this post, I tried to disconnect/reconnect the low beams to see if that would work. It worked indeed, only I didn't have to totally disconnect the headlamps to make them work, really just slightly pulled out on the connector (with car running and headlamps on) and presto! they started working. I had to do each one individually to make them work, and the passenger side was a real b--ch to access - I used a pocket knife to get it slightly disconnected - you'll see what I mean if you reach in there.
    I posted my mileage cause I'm wondering if this is a Toyota trick to make folks go in for maintenance shortly after their warranty runs out....

    Two days later the low beam headlamps are still going strong.
    BTW, the fuse for the low beams is connected to the horn and the backup lights so its very easy to verifiy if its a fuse problem (it wasn't).
     
    #7 ToesF15, Oct 18, 2012
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  8. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    maybe the connectors were getting oxidized...
     
    #8 Jon S, Oct 19, 2012
  9. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    Had the same thing happen to me at about 35,000 miles. Took it to dealer and they replaced both bulbs under warranty. I questioned them about both going out at same time, they said they likely went out at different times and I just didn't notice until both were out. Wish I had known that bulbs were under warranty as I replaced both (not at same time) on my 04 between 20,000 and 25,000.
     
    #9 seasalsa, Oct 22, 2012
  10. muelled

    muelled Junior Member

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    #10 muelled, Jul 1, 2014
  11. muelled

    muelled Junior Member

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    I had same problem when my 011 Prius was 2 years old. Both lo beams were out. both bulbs replaced, but I find the low beams give very little light on the road ahead. I think it might be alignment, Im pretty sure they did not go out at the same time, but I failed to notice any difference at night. They both just give very little light in front of the car
     
    #11 muelled, Jul 1, 2014
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