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Issue with Left Headlight...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Mejaxi1592, May 18, 2014.

  1. Mejaxi1592

    Mejaxi1592 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2014
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    Location:
    Woodstock, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I have a 2009 prius with 85k miles on it, bought it two weeks ago, right off the bat I noticed that the left headlight, while driving, will frequently go out. It comes back on when I turn the headlights off and on again, and goes out again later. Sometimes it stays on, other times it goes right out. I took the headlamp off, disconnected all wires, and cleaned it of any corrosion that was found and reconnected it, and the light still went out. Any ideas as to what would be causing this/ what a fix is non mechanic oriented?

    Worth mentioning that I've noticed condensation build up on the inside of the headlamp occasionally, and one time both lights flickered and then went out, but that hasn't happened since.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 Mejaxi1592, May 18, 2014
  2. Chad Marley

    Chad Marley New Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    We have the exact same problem on our 06 with 90k miles. The left headlight will intermittently go out, and will reset itself when you cycle the power. As an added bonus, occasionally ALL of the lights will go out, and again, cycling the power resets them. This is especially fun on the dark back-roads where I live! I wonder Mejax, do you notice that it happens more frequently the slower you drive? I feel it's some kind of thermal issue; the faster I drive, the cooler something stays... I just don't know what. I've read numerous posts in this thread concerning this issue, so I know that it is fairly common, BUT... there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer on how to resolve the problem. Has anyone had this fixed by the dealer without having to offer up their first born in payment?
     
    #2 Chad Marley, May 27, 2014
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
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    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    If you have HID headlights, it's generally either the bulb 1st or possibly the ballast or wiring. I'd make a bet on the bulb first.

    For HID replacements, I'd personally get genuine Philips D4R bulbs (e.g. NOT from eBay and not from random 3rd party resellers on Amazon). See Not all HID Bulbs are created equal | PriusChat.

    IIRC, one of mine started failing outside the 5 year/50K mile warranty that was part of the settlement I mentioned at 06-09 Prius HID class action settlement award letters | PriusChat. The other still seems to work, but my 06 Prius is under 80K miles and hardly driven now (Leaf is my primary car now).

    It ended up being a big project for me to change one :( : can't remove washer fluid tank, trying to replace passenger side HID | PriusChat.

    Where are you guys located?
     
    #3 cwerdna, May 28, 2014
  4. Chad Marley

    Chad Marley New Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Well, I was thinking it's probably the bulb, but then they ALL go out, and I mean every one, parking lights, headlights, foglights. I'm not opposed to swapping out the bulb, and I'm sure I'm handy enough to do it myself, I just don't want to blow 150 bucks on a bulb if that's not the issue...
     
    #4 Chad Marley, May 29, 2014
  5. wcanavan

    wcanavan Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2011
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    Location:
    7217 Danford Lane, Springfield, VA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Same issue. I have a 2007 with 70k miles and the right headlight just started to go out intermittently after about 10 minutes driving. Illuminates again after cycling on/off switch. Tried to change the bulb but the casing to access the socket wouldn't come loose so I'm bringing to dealer on Monday. Did someone say $150 cost for the light bulb?
     
    #5 wcanavan, May 29, 2014
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