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

I was trying to replace interior light bulbs but...?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by anthofang, Apr 28, 2009.

  1. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    I was replacing my interior lights and while doing so for the front map lights, I lost hold of two of the lightbulbs and they shot into the cavity. Now I can't get it out, what should i do?!?!
     
    #1 anthofang, Apr 28, 2009
  2. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    can anyone help me....
     
    #2 anthofang, Apr 29, 2009
  3. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    POP QUIZ TIME....

    I was trying to replace interior light bulbs but...what do I do?

    A- Turn the Prius upside down and shake vigerously !
    B- Remove lamp holder assy and fish bulbs out. It pulls down
    rather easily !
    C- Buy 2 new bulbs and be more carefull next attempt !

    I think you should use option B, and you should find the bulbs...
    Good Luck
     
    #3 KK6PD, Apr 29, 2009
  4. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    i think i should be more specific. I was trying to take out the lightbulbs but i twisted the bulb socket along with the bulb, and the sockets with the lightbulbs still attached shot up and into the darkness when i lost hold. Now i cannot get these two out. Sorry for confusion..
     
    #4 anthofang, Apr 29, 2009
  5. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    is there a way to remove the entire dash where the map lights are so i can get to the lost bulbs in socket?
     
    #5 anthofang, Apr 29, 2009
  6. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Are you talking the Map Lights that are in the center roof unit by the mirror????

    Or are these under the dash itself???

    If its the upper unit, it will pull down and you should be able to put the sockets back into their mounting holes!!

    If they are under the dash, there are only 7 pieces that come off to completly expose the dash interior!

    Does that help......
     
    #6 KK6PD, Apr 29, 2009
  7. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,531
    508
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Go down to a head shop, tell them you want to buy a roach clip, I mean hemoststat. A hemostat is basically just a really long pair of tweezers. Reach in gently and feel around for the fitting, pull it slowly back out. Be sure to leave them on the dash by the registration sticker, it will help you meet friendly & interesting law enforcement professionals. :mod: :eek:
     
    #7 kenmce, Apr 29, 2009
  8. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Yes, the map lights that are in the center roof unit by the mirror. So i can pull the dash down without any damage to the lights or wiring? How do igo about pulling down? where do i start?
     
    #8 anthofang, Apr 29, 2009
  9. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,531
    508
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    If you have a problem in the ceiling, why are you taking apart the dash? :confused:
     
    #9 kenmce, Apr 29, 2009
  10. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    well what else is that plastic (not the clear plastic, its the grey) surrounding the lights called? OMG i need some instructions... lol... so frustrated with the bulbs attached to the sockets being stuck in there.
     
    #10 anthofang, Apr 29, 2009
  11. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Map Light Escutcheon..Anyway, just grab a corner, slip something thin and stiff under it and pull down. There are those plastic clip riivits holding it up. Wok your way around ti you can get your fingers on either side. I gave mine a firm but restrainted pull downward and it poped out. You can grab the lights and put them back in.
    To replace it back in the proper position just line up the clips into the holes and give it a good tap with you hand and it wil seat back into lace!
     
    #11 KK6PD, Apr 29, 2009
  12. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    thank you soooo much! I will go try it now!
     
    #12 anthofang, Apr 29, 2009
  13. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    well good news is i put the bulbs back in place. bad news is i broke the white clip. so now i have to stick the plastic back with something... no biggy its not full blown hanging out. Thanks
     
    #13 anthofang, Apr 29, 2009
  14. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2009
    860
    53
    0
    Location:
    Ocala,Fl
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    OK i am confused????
     
    #14 Sandy, May 2, 2009
  15. anthofang

    anthofang New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    56
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    lol, the map light assembly/console on my prius broke because i had put it back the wrong way, too forcefully, so the clip broke. I was asking what it was called so i can find the part to replace it.

    well everything is resolved now. its back to normal because the lo jack technician came to check up to see if lo jack was properly installed and while he was at it, he was kind enough to replace the clip for me, saving me money and time.
     
    #15 anthofang, May 3, 2009
  16. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    1,413
    398
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    WARNING DO NOT TWIST BULBS. PULL ONLY!!! Same problem here! I lost two of the bulb sockets that popped off the printed circuit board and away into the ceiling. And you can't see them them once they pop off. To get at them, I first removed the two screws above the sunglassess holder and then carefully pulled (very hard) the escutcheon with my fingers (after I slipped a putty knife underneath). Found the two, totally loose, bulb sockets and easily twisted them back into place. Those bulb sockets should be permanently glued in place. What a giant pain in the nice person to replace a simple bulb.
     
    #16 kenoarto, Apr 16, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)