Headlights not working

The touring model is usually fitted with the HID bulbs, and there are many threads on PriuChat about the various problems associated with that type of bulb. They require a ballast, and the problems can be caused by a bad ballast or a bad bulb. The recommendation is to steer clear of the cheapo Chinese-made bulbs (eBay and InterNet) and go for the main branded versions (Phillips, Sylvania) - there are lots of videos on youtube on how to do the replacement. I noticed that both bulbs on my 2009 Gen II (touring) were replaced after a couple of years, and only once since I bought it used back in Jan 2014 has the driver-side lamp failed to come on - I fixed it by turning it off, and then it worked when I turned it back on. It's been perfect ever since (I hope I haven't just hexed the bloody thing!!! ) (BTW I always replace headlamp bulbs in pairs! (FWIW)) - Wil

 

Thread resurrection. I have a 2007 that has a similar headlight problem. After 5 years of driving since when I bought it used 98k miles and now its 150k. All of a sudden the left headlight sometimes shuts off. But when I turn the switch off and on, it will light up again but only for a while. All I want to do is get it done the right way that will last for a long time. I don't want to put anything special headlight or brighter. I just want the way how the original stock performs that will last for a long time or near trouble free.
This Prius is a bit awkward model. Its not a touring but it has all the package. attached is the full specs of the car.
c/o @Patrick Wong
Thanks, CCG

 

Well, the write up is for a "standard" (non touring) Prius with halogen headlights. What does the car actually have? Halogens or HIDs? (Is the light very white or is it yellowish?)

The problem you describe sounds like what happens on HIDs when the bulb gets "worn" and begins to fail.

For (incandescent) halogens, 99% of the time, the filament burns out and that's it. It fails and and won't do anything until the bulb is replaced. Circuit problems do happen, and can be intermittent, but are fairly uncommon.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I'm not quite sure if this is HiD for I never had one in my other cars. One thing I notice when I normally turn on the lights before this situation occurs, it takes a good seconds before it fully lights up not like my classic cars with halogen. The color is like bright white. Here is a photo in case if you guys can identify. I have no idea if its other than halogen for I never worked on one before.
Thanks, CCG

 

If you have fog lights in your prius, your headlights are HID.

 

Those are HID headlights. Halogen light assemblies have rubber caps that seal around the H/L bulbs - yours have big plastic twist-lock caps (just like my HIDs).

You need a 4DS replacement type bulb. Philips or Osram is about as budget as I would go (might not last as long as OE). Koito is good (but $$$). I just went with a pair from the dealer ($$$).

You can replace bulbs in situ, but I would be very tempted to just remove the entire headlight assembly from the car. Those big plastic caps on back can be very difficult to grab and twist to unlock (without snapping the "fins" off). You want to unplug the white connector from the cap first.

Even once you get them loose, the wire connector attached to the inside of the cap makes it a PIA to get the cap out of the way.

Twist-removing the bulb HV connector is easy, but dealing with the "bail clip" that holds the bulb is another PIA. I used a videoscope to watch my movements so that I got the bulb lined up correctly into the reflector (don't "clock" the bulb wrong or get fingerprints on it), then got both ears of the clip latched, then connector. I cleaned dirt from the cap o-ring and greased it with silicone grease.

It would have been much easier "out of the car".

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Okay and thanks for the response. I think I will just go with the original from the dealer. I'll order it in Toyota Nashua since I buy all my parts from them. On the HiD, is there another thing that also needs replacement in a 150 miles. Does this thing has like a ballast transformer or something that may need it too? I don't really know much about this car but I had it for 5 years now and its always been very good. Right when I bought the car, I did a complete 100k miles like flush the transmission oil, coolant, engine oil and filter, all the filters mechanical water pump, 2 electric coolant pump, thermostat, valve cover gasket, plugs, all the light bulbs except he headlights, brand mew tires. Its been an excellent running car for work. This car hardly eats oil.
I'll probably have to replace whatever I need to replace since its already 152k.
Yes This has also a factory foglights.

 

Yes, each headlight has a ballast transformer that mounts to the bottom. They do go bad (eventually), so your call if you want to do them now (I just did them on my 2006 at 208k as one went out).

That was another PIA experience as the mounting screws (here in the lower salt belt) were severely rusted. Also the bulb connector is fairly large and won't fit inside between the housing and reflector without unscrewing the height adjusting servo.

These lights have pretty good output, but can be annoying (and $$$) to fix.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

If its more than $300 for the bulbs and resistor at the dealer, I'll just get the 2 original bulbs and see if it works. If I still need the ballast either I get only 1 or replace them with a us made aftermarket or excellent OEM replacement.
By the way I need to ask one more thing since you have the same car, I notice on my car if I was on idle for over '15 minutes' with the AC on. The energy bar for the battery goes all the way down to '1 purple bar' then it starts recharging by itself and goes up to '4 blue bars'. Is this quite normal to go that low? I'm worried maybe the hybrid battery is getting lower in life. Any thoughts.
Thanks. CCG

 

The dealer wants 120 each bulb...
What about this one. will it works and is it reliable?
PHILIPS D4R 4300K XenEco OEM Replacement HID XENON bulbs 42406 35W DOT Germany Pack of 2 $106.59

 

Yes, if you "just sit" while the car is in ready mode, then the hybrid control ecu will allow the pack to go down to 1 bar before recharging some.

I guess that the engineers didn't want to "waste gas" by charging up more than absolutely necessary while the car wasn't going anywhere.

Philips is a "name" in lighting. Their small bulbs can be as cheap and crappy as anyone's. No experience with their HIDs.
Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

If you want to know how good the battery is, charge it to 6 bars for the night. In the morning, turn on the car and immediately start driving it normally without allowing the engine to charge the battery. Within a minute, the MFD will update the charge level and if the level drops to 4 bars or below, then your battery is weak.

 

Note: a failing HL-P relay on a halogen system can some times look a lot like a failing HID. Just worked out it was the relay after measuring the voltage on the headlight bulb connector and only getting 8v. Would get dim flickering light out of the bulbs (which are LED replacements). Checked the fuses and eventually discovered tapping on the HL-P relay would sometimes revive it temporarily.