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Replacing 12v battery and headlights next week. Need advice.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LadyG, Jan 15, 2015.

  1. LadyG

    LadyG New Member

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    The 12v battery in my 2008 Prius just died. After getting a jump to get home I started looking at prices online (my closest dealer wanted over $380 for replacement and labor. Um, ouch)

    This is what I ordered from Autoplicity:
    Optima Battery 8171-767 Battery D51 Yellow Top
    The part numbers match the Amazon Optima Yellow-top Prius Battery so I'm hoping this is right (and at less than $150)

    Will I need to put this battery on a charger before installing?


    My head lights have been flickering when I first start the car for a few months now. Just before Christmas I hit a bump on my way home and the lights went out completely! I've been only driving during the day since. My husband called the dealer we purchased from and they wanted $1,200 to replace the bulbs and some computer part. (GULP!) After looking around here I think changing the lightbulbs will fix the issue and it looks even easier to do than the battery. Which ones are correct? D2R or D4R?
    MAXLUX HID Xenon Bulbs D2R 5000K (1 Pair, Pure Star White)
    OR:
    MAXLUX HID Xenon Bulbs D4R 5000K (1 Pair, White)
    (I'm ordering one of these from Amazon as soon as possible)


    Thank you!
     
    #1 LadyG, Jan 15, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! great move on the optima, if it's under 12.7 volts, i would charge it first. sorry, i know zero about headlamps. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 15, 2015
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  3. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    Good luck with the Optima, I had to return mine 2x because they were subpar. I finally just went to the dealer and paid a premium for a known good battery (YUASA).
    To answer your question, I would bring a multi-meter to the posts of the new battery to determine if it will need a charge before installing it into your Prius. It should be resting around 12.8v.

    As far as the headlights go, if you have the HID's, it is so easy to replace the bulb AND they are cheaper than anywhere else on amazon - I paid $45 or something a while back. That was 2 years ago, and the bulb still works great. See youtube for some really nicely detailed instructional bulb replacement videos.

    I believe this is the exact bulb you will want:

    Amazon.com: Philips D4R Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, Pack of 1: Automotive
     
    #3 PriusGuy32, Jan 15, 2015
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  4. LadyG

    LadyG New Member

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    Thank you! I've been lurking around for a few months just learning about basic maintenance I can DIY. When the battery quit I figured it was time to stop lurking and ask some questions. ;)
    I do lots of short trips around town and work is <5 miles away so I'm hoping the Optima will work well for me.

    D4R it is. And thanks for the bulbs link. That's a good price!
     
    #4 LadyG, Jan 15, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    with that kind of driving, i would put a charger on it if it's under 13.0 volts.:) the car will never have a chance to charge it.
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 15, 2015
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  6. LadyG

    LadyG New Member

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    I'm thinking of getting a battery tender this summer too, because we drive even LESS often. Should I?
     
    #6 LadyG, Jan 15, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it would be a good idea. your best bet would be a permanent pigtail, so you don't have to dig into the battery every time. or you can go under the hood, if that's easier.
     
    #7 bisco, Jan 15, 2015
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  8. LadyG

    LadyG New Member

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    Is there a detailed how-to thread or tutorial on that? Play and go (or rather plug and STAY) would be awesome.
     
    #8 LadyG, Jan 15, 2015
  9. LadyG

    LadyG New Member

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    Whoops. That should be: "Plug and go (or rather plug and STAY)"
     
    #9 LadyG, Jan 15, 2015
  10. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    I'm guessing part of that $1200 is a leveler for the HIDs. That is problematic with HIDs. Search here for other threads about the leveler. I'd start with the bulbs like you are doing, but it might not be all that ultimately needs to be done to fix your lights.
     
    #10 Yakoma, Jan 16, 2015
  11. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I just attached the pigtail to the battery terminals routing the cable up through the ring on the right side. The other cable runs the length of the car down the right side with the transformer sitting on the floor of the passenger front seat. I run an extension cord through the open front window when it's charging time.
     
    #11 JimN, Jan 16, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is at least one thread here, but i can't point to it, sorry. it may have been posted by member 'andyprius1'
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 16, 2015
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