1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

HID - initial burst on turning on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by sas0611, Apr 27, 2008.

  1. sas0611

    sas0611 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2008
    230
    15
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    On my 08' with HID headlights, should I be concerned if when they are turned on they seem to surge for a brief instant and then quickly return to normal intensity ? It's almost like they are starting up in high beam mode and then quickly stabilize. Is this some kind of 'lighting up' phenomenon like sodium street lights.

    Thanks in advance - was wondering if anyone else has noticed this.
     
    #1 sas0611, Apr 27, 2008
  2. ceric

    ceric New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2004
    1,114
    53
    0
    Location:
    Fremont, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    It is normal.
    It starts up bright for a second, dims down, and slowly builds up brightness in a 1-2 minutes. All HIDs do that.
     
    #2 ceric, Apr 27, 2008
  3. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,761
    5,247
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Remember that HID bulbs don't actually have a filament. Instead, the light comes from an arch of electricity. That initial burst will be different from sustained operation afterward. Think of the startup as a mini lightening strike.

    .
     
    #3 john1701a, Apr 27, 2008
  4. kcpistol

    kcpistol Byte Stylist

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2008
    51
    1
    0
    Location:
    Independence, MO
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Just thought I would chime in - mine do it too, if that helps any.

    Love the color of those HID lamps :)
     
    #4 kcpistol, Apr 27, 2008
  5. tmanson

    tmanson Geetar-playin' Traveler

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2007
    71
    0
    0
    Location:
    Frederick, MD
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Yeah, mine too. I assumed it was normal.:)
     
    #5 tmanson, Apr 27, 2008
  6. canesfan

    canesfan Culture shocked...

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2008
    544
    7
    0
    Location:
    Jacksonville, NC
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Same thing happens on my Chrysler 300C.
     
    #6 canesfan, Apr 27, 2008
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,075
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    That's it exactly.

    Tom
     
    #7 qbee42, Apr 27, 2008
  8. statultra

    statultra uber-Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2005
    796
    30
    1
    Location:
    Edison,NJ
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    it could also be the auto leveling mechanism, the auto leveling system goes through an initial check, i think.
     
    #8 statultra, Apr 27, 2008
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,075
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    That doesn't make them flash, just move a bit.

    Tom
     
    #9 qbee42, Apr 27, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)