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Headlight blow too quick

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by exmetrodriver, Jan 3, 2019.

  1. exmetrodriver

    exmetrodriver Member

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    Puget sound, Wa.
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    So my 2005 seem to go through Halogen headlight bulbs at a pretty good pace. Maybe 90 days a bulb. Do some of the bulbs seem to last longer then others? I buy the cheap H4 9003-HB2 off eBay for 5 bucks a pair. I guess the good news is I can replace them in under 10 minutes now.
     
  2. golfmk681

    golfmk681 Active Member

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    Dude lol I just started a thread about this. Mine lasted 9 months. So weird.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Maybe try some higher quality bulbs, not from EBay? See if paying more gets better quality
     
  4. egn83b

    egn83b Junior Member

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    2011 Prius
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    Two
    The voltage in a standard prius runs at 14 volts at the dc to dc conveter to charge the battery. Your bulbs are rated at 12v. Your over driving your cheap halogens with 2 additional volts they will burn out faster. Go buy a voltage regulator from the dealer or off ebay. I run Sylvania bulbs and they run fine. They are rated for my application. In the 8yrs my prius has been on the road only had one light burn out. Also never handle bulbs with your bare skin it will cause hot spots and burn your element out faster because heat cant escape.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Shouldn't Toyota have a built in regulator to address the extra 2 volts from the dc dc converter?
     
  6. egn83b

    egn83b Junior Member

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    Nope they run 14v to keep the battery in float charge mode. If they didnt you would be replacing the battery more often. There was a recall on the third generation but you had to see the dealer 3 or more times and spent 100 dollars each time.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. golfmk681

    golfmk681 Active Member

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    Ya agreed. And... where does the regulator go.
     
  8. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    What about using long life bulbs? Isn’t the long life part that they are designed to run at a higher voltage, thereby lasting longer at the lower voltage they run at?