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2007 Touring Weird HID headlight probelm

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by themachine, Oct 5, 2012.

  1. themachine

    themachine New Member

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    I just bought a 2007 Touring and I am having a weird issue. When I turn on the head lights they will work fine, but after 1:39 secs, "Yes, I have timed it on my stopwatch about 5 times" the left head light will shut off but the right side will continue to work fine. If i turn off the headlights then back on again the left one will again work for for 1:39 then shut off. I have never had a car with HIDs but I assume this is not normal. Just wanted to know if this is some sort of known issues that others have seen and what could be causing it.
     
    #1 themachine, Oct 5, 2012
  2. alekska

    alekska Active Member

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    This is typical sign of HID bulb getting to the end of its life. Less likely, but possible, its an electronic ballast problem.
    If you want to check, swap left and right bulbs (not an easy access though) and see if its a bulb or a ballast.
    Or, just get a good quality replacement bulb and put it in. Should be between $50 and $100 for a bulb. It's not an easy access but I did DIY, there are posts here describing how to replace a bulb.
     
    #2 alekska, Oct 5, 2012
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yep. It's almost certain the bulb is failing.

    If you want to know more about the gory details of HID bulbs, see Not all HID Bulbs are created equal | PriusChat.

    Way before the above post, I bought some Philips D4R bulbs from Amazon (Philips D4R Xenon HID Headlight Bulb,Pack of 1 : Amazon.com : Automotive), sold and fulfilled directly by Amazon, not a 3rd party seller, as one of mine started going intermittent. After the above post, I was concerned they may not be genuine.

    However, Philips at Philips Zip Code Locator does list Amazon as a place to buy their bulbs.

    I would just make sure that whatever your order on Amazon comes from Amazon and not a 3rd party. Philips D4R is the right bulb for the OP if he has HIDs.
     
    #3 cwerdna, Oct 6, 2012
  4. yankkesrule

    yankkesrule Junior Member

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    Not weird. Just likely a bad bulb. As previously stated-swap bulbs side to side and see if problem follows bulbs.
     
    #4 yankkesrule, Feb 24, 2013
  5. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Model:
    Four Touring
    Had the same issue with my original oem HIDs. Right side bulb. Swapping it out helped...but at some point the Bulb failed again. I think something is wrong with the OEM Right side Ballasts. After I swapped out the OEM setup with new 55w Ballasts and bulbs with my Headlight retrofit - no more issues.
     
    #5 Justdidit, Feb 25, 2013
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