Headlights, help please

(1) Welcome to PriusChat! The very best place to learn all you're likely to need to know about your Prius!
(2) You might find the "search" function useful. There are many "how to" videos on youtube, including how to change the headlight bulbs!
(3) see #2
(4) Good luck!!! - Wil

 

Bulb access is a major headache with both the Gen II and Gen III Prius. I would love to get 2 1/2 years on my headlight bulbs.

 

To gain access to the passenger side bulb, remove the 10mm hex bolt from the intake hose bracket, release the clip holding the small coolant overflow hose. Bend the air intake hose up and away.

Remove the bulb by turning the bulb about a 1/4 turn clockwise to release, reverse to install the new bulb. 10 minutes tops.

 

Who told you that the car had to be lifted ... why don't you check the manual came with the car !!! That doesn't say it so the mechanic wants to charge you more

The passenger side sucks !!! but pretty doable unless you have really big hands... then you MAY need to remove the windshield fluid thing but I again not likely.

Driver side is much easier ...

my suggestion is NOT to do what the manual says (reverse the order like attache wiring first and put the bulb in) put the bulb in make sure it fits correctly and attache the wiring after ... much easier that way....

I would recommend to parctice with the old bulb a few time to putting it back .

There youtube videos as well.

Good luck absolutely no need to pay 50-60 dollar...

This is for the headlights not the high-beam or the other bulbs ... I never change those (never died) ....

 

I just tried to replace the bulb on my passenger side and nearly cried.

I've wrenched on my vehicles for the past 25 years and have never encountered such a laughable design in my life.

I have XL sized hands and it's nearly impossible for me to get my hand in there to change the bulb on the passenger side. I removed the intake hose/bracket and the upper coolant hose. The problem is the bracket the coolant reservoir is attached to is directly in the way of my hand getting into a position where I can remove/replace/reseat the bulb.

I just have to laugh at how pathetic this is... I honestly have to take the whole bumper off and assembly out just to change the freakin bulb.

And the driver's side looks no better.

 

Most pathetic design ever. Such a joke Toyota. Lemme guess... you want people to bring in their cars for service for a friggen headlight bulb replacement?

I removed the coolant reservoir, air intake, etc and still can't get my hand in there to replace the friggen bulb. The bracket that holds the coolant reservoir in place is in the way. My hand is bigger than 3/4" (as are most humans') so I see no other solution than cutting that bracket off and weld in a new one out of the way.

Dumbest design ever.

 

Do you not know any small-handed young person who is ready to learn a little about auto maintenance, to help you out?

I wear a men's medium glove size ... for me, it was possible (but really aggravating) to change the passenger low beam before I read the manual and learned to move the air intake. Doing it the right way, moving the air intake, is still aggravating but a lot easier. Driver side is no sweat, without disassembling anything at all. Again, that's for someone of my hand size....

-Chap

 

Yeah, I wear an XL size glove. I'd have an easier time trying to stuff my hand into a bottle.

My 10 yr old daughter offered to help, and I'll let her have a stab at it. But I'm just afraid of either breaking the ring that the bulb seats in or not having the bulb seat properly.

I think a big problem is the previous owner destroyed that ring. So while I'm trying to struggle to feel the bulb seat properly, it may not be possible given the condition the ring is in.

It also makes sense why the one functioning light (passenger side) is aimed straight down at the ground. Not to mention the fact he cracked the driver's side housing trying to replace the bulb.

 

I must respectfully disagree on two points. The 2010 Mazda 5 is more of a pathetic design than the Prius. The Mazda 5 requires front bumper removal and then removal of the entire headlight assembly which leads to the second disagreement. That is the other solution rather than cutting the bracket off and welding in a new one.

Then while you have the entire headlight assembly out, might as well replace the parking light and the side marker light with LEDs so you don't have to replace them for a long, long time.

 

lol, I'll take your word for it on the Mazda 5. I have no experience with it.

But I will be in a similar boat every time I need to change the low/high beam bulbs on this 2010 Prius.

Duly noted about the parking and side marker lights. They too are not functioning at the moment.

I assume both are an LED equivalent of a 168/194/2825 bulb?

Thank you.

 

Yes, just make sure that replacements are not physically larger in any way than original bulbs, there is no spare room in the housings for anything extra. I've got 5-led bulbs in for parking spots (4 around the circumference, one on top) that came as part of a total LED upgrade kit, and the more expensive Sylvania ZEVO led replacements in the side marker spots.

 

On the passenger side, just remove the 2 10mm-head bolts that hold the coolant overflow tank. Move that tank out of the way. Replaced bulb in about 10 minutes. Start to finish. I wear XL gloves, too.

Disconnect the wires before trying to twist be bulb out.

 

xxl gloves but I did it by removing the bolts referenced above. Getting it out is relatively easy. Put it back in without the cable and then snap the cable on. The cable is too tight when you are trying to get it in pre-attached. PS..some dealers with separate lube shops will install it for a decent price. Also some of the cheap online bulbs are worthless and burn out quick. Finally always use gloves when handling the bulbs as oils will burn them out..

 

Just replaced both headlight assemblies and all 8 bulbs (LED side marker and parking light and Ultra Star halogens for the low and high beams).

Given how easy and quick it is to remove the bumper and assemblies, this is the route I'm going to go when it comes time to changing the bulbs. I do not want to risk breaking the retainer ring or damaging the assemblies when trying to get my hand into that space (the size of a wine bottle opening) behind the headlights.

And I only broke one brittle push pin clip in the process. I should get an award or something.

 

And never forget to keep your greasy fingers off of the bulb's glass - or wear latex/nitrile gloves.

 

Always.

I'm a newbie to Prius but have been wrenching on my vehicles for over a couple of decades now

 

Don't forget to check/adjust the aim on the lowbeams. My alignment changed just from a removal and replacement of the oem headlight assemblies. Looks like you replaced both headlight assemblies with new ones, so I can just about guarantee the aim needs to be adjusted.

 

I can all but guarantee it too . Haven't driven it at night yet but did have the lights on at dusk and can tell they're way off.

As far as I could see it's only that one adjustment star, is that correct? If so does it only adjust horizontal or vertical? Or does it somehow adjust both?

I was going to follow this video walkthrough unless you can point me in a better direction: