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06 left tail light blows

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by apple, Feb 22, 2011.

  1. apple

    apple Junior Member

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    Purchased used 2006 and the left tail light does not work at times until I rotate the socket as if removing it. This happens frequently and then after about 3 weeks the bulb blows. I've confirmed the there is no socket terminal issue and no intermittent opens in the wiring to the socket. The buld internal glass blackens as if it is running too hot but the voltage measures slightly over 12V when I've measured it. The bulbs are rated at 13V. At this point the only thing I can think of is there must be an occasional high voltage spike that hits the left tail light but not the right tail light. Any one have any thoughts or have run into the same thing?
     
    #1 apple, Feb 22, 2011
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Is the car READY, when you are measuring voltage? If not, pls make the car READY and try measuring the voltage again.

    Both tail lights, the license plate lights, and the front side marker lights are fed via the same 10A TAIL fuse so it would be strange to find higher voltage at one bulb socket vs. the others.

    How many bulbs have you gone through on the left side, and what is the bulb brand?

    If you are using a reputable bulb brand and you only have a problem with the one bulb position, then I suggest that you recheck the wiring to that socket, as there may in fact be an intermittent connection.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Feb 22, 2011
  3. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Is it possible there's water or condensation inside the taillight housing? Is there any corrosion in the socket?
     
    #3 hyo silver, Feb 22, 2011
  4. Ct. Ken V

    Ct. Ken V Active Member

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    I just had to replace my right tail light bulb on my '05 Prius (the first bulb to fail in 5 3/4 years). The owner's manual is no real help in selecting the proper bulb for each bulb position in the car. It only specifies the bulb type/shape & the watts, but no industry trade numbers like other car makers do (except for the headlight bulbs---HID or halogen). Before I looked up the bulb number in the Sylvania application chart at Auto Zone, I was finding many similar style bulbs of so many different wattages & voltages (3W, 3.5W, 4.9W, 5W & both 12V & 13V). I'm using the trade #2825 bulb in my '05 & I'm assuming your '06 should be using the same one. Is that the one you've been using for your replacements?

    As an aside, I used to own both an '87 & an '88 Ford Escort & the high-mount stop lights at the top of the wagon hatch would always burn out quite frequently. The dead bulbs were always VERY black & the bulb glass was always melted & deformed with big protruding blisters on them. I don't know how bulb glass gets so hot that it melts & deforms except in the big old egg-shaped flashbulbs in cameras of the 40's & 50's. And I was using the correct bulb in that high-mount stop light (I think it was a #912 if I remember correctly).

    Ken (in Bolton,Ct)
     
    #4 Ct. Ken V, Feb 23, 2011
  5. apple

    apple Junior Member

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    Thanks all for the thoughts. I'll double check the voltage in the READY mode as suggested. In regards to the quantity of blown bulbs, I've gone through 2 in the last 3 weeks but I must admit I can not remember what bulb # they were, what voltage rating, etc.

    I am now using the #2825 and so far there is no blackening of the glass so maybe I was premature with my thread and just didn't have the correct bulb. I'll keep an eye on it and also check the socket & wiring again. There is no evidence of moisture so I'm ruling that out for now.

    Thanks again and I'll jump back into the thread if I continue having more problems but also have more data to share regarding my diagnosis!
     
    #5 apple, Feb 23, 2011
  6. ibob81

    ibob81 Junior Member

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    Apple, I'm noticing the same thing on my 08 Prius. Left tail light when the lights are on. Brake lights work fine. Rotate the wiring/bulb and voila, it's on! ...until it goes out again. Let me know if you found anything on this...I'll keep scouring the net and update here too. Peace.
     
    #6 ibob81, Jun 21, 2011
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