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Replacing Hid Bulbs Experience

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Josh Imholte, Feb 4, 2018.

  1. Josh Imholte

    Josh Imholte Junior Member

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    Hey all,

    Just wanted to post my experience here. I'm not big DIY person but took on the task of replacing the bulbs myself with the help of this forum and videos. Both of my headlight caps were an absolute pain to get off. There are a lot of different tips on helping to get them open. Some advice was off a bit so I wanted to make a post.

    Facing my car and twisting my caps off, both the driver side and passenger headlight caps turned to the right, contrary to what some posts say they turn left. Just wanted to clarify that, maybe it differs between years. Mine is an 06.

    I replaced the bulbs with 2 of the Philips D4R bulbs. Upon putting everything back together, I think I need to go back in and reseat the passenger bulb since the high beam is not working on passenger side. I think there is another thread about this that it must not be seated correctly or something.

    All in all, should be easier now if I ever need to do this again on the car. There def was not a lot of space, and I got lucky and did not have to take the bumper off or anything due to dropping stuff. I did bruise the crap out of my hand trying to get the cap off. If you are not getting the cap to come off by hand, take breaks and vent out your frustrations with profanities lol! I eventually got a tool to apply constant pressure to one of the fins, although the entire time I was expecting the cap to turn left and it doesn't, so Im surprised nothing broke. The pressure still helped to loosen the seal so when I did turn right it finally loosened up.

    Hope this helps the next unfortunate soul that has to tackle replacing headlights on Prius with stuck headlight caps!
     
    #1 Josh Imholte, Feb 4, 2018
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    When working on cars, unless otherwise stated, lefts and rights are in relation to sitting in the driver's seat looking forwards. Even, as you were, standing in front of the engine bay this is so, therefore in that orientation (standing in front of the engine bay) lefts become rights and rights become lefts. It may seem confusing, but this understanding is to cut down on confusion and ambiguity when describing a procedure, There is a problem if one does not know this, though, as you found out. I mention this more for people following on and reading this post at a later date.

    With this understanding, as you sit in the driver's seat and look at the caps you can see now that you turn the caps to the left or anti-clockwise.

    In any case, thanks for the focus on this point, congratulations on a job well done and kudos that you did not force it so much that anything broke. ;) (y)
     
    #2 dolj, Feb 4, 2018
  3. Josh Imholte

    Josh Imholte Junior Member

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    2006 Prius
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    Thanks Dolj, well went to reseat the passenger side bulb and sure enough what I feared most happened. Retainer clip came undone from housing and fell. Almost got to it and then it dropped further, now I don't see it at all. Thinks its tucked in the corner in front of the radiator not quite in the front of the bumper cause I have a clear sight there, and its not there.

    Thoughts now? I don't see those clips are easily replaceable. I'd prefer not to have to take the bumper off but looks like Imay have to. I've looked up some videos but any best videos for getting the bumper off from Gen 2 or something where I can at least pop it off enough to take a look around? Alternatively, any aftermarket clips anyone knows of?

    Thanks,

    Josh
     
    #3 Josh Imholte, Feb 5, 2018
  4. Josh Imholte

    Josh Imholte Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
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    Original clip is probably out of the question now, had to go get meds for sinus infection I’m fighting right now so may still be there or may be lost.

    I see some options online for clips, any suggestions for buying new clips?! I’m not seeing this is something I can just pick up from autozone.
     
    #4 Josh Imholte, Feb 5, 2018
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