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Headlight Ballast?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by stevenspoint, May 3, 2012.

  1. stevenspoint

    stevenspoint New Member

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    Hi All-

    I've been searching this forum trying to find a headlight troubleshooting guide. Most of what I find relates to replacing the bulbs.

    I have a 2007 and the passenger side headlight goes out almost daily. It will be on when I start the car, but almost always goes out before I get to me destination. My wife has been pulled over twice for it.

    I replaced both bulbs with Phillips, as suggested by many posts, with no luck. How can I begin to troubleshoot the ballast and ECU? Is there anything else I should look at? I hate to throw parts at it that cost hundreds of dollars.

    Is there a good source of these parts either OEM or aftermarket?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 stevenspoint, May 3, 2012
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Only the passenger side? Have you tried swapping the bulbs to see if the problem stays on the passenger side?

    Installing new bulbs leads one to assume that it can't be a bulb problem, but yours would not be the first bad new bulb.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, May 3, 2012
  3. stevenspoint

    stevenspoint New Member

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    I first swapped the OEM bulbs left to right and the passenger side bulb still would turn off. Then I replaced both bulbs and still the passenger side bulb goes out.
     
    #3 stevenspoint, May 3, 2012
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    In that case it does sound like a ballast problem. Your only option will be to replace the ballast.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, May 3, 2012
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You can always install an aftermarket HID for less than $60.
     
    #5 F8L, May 3, 2012
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Where'd you buy them from? Is it possible they're fakes?
     
    #6 cwerdna, May 15, 2012
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