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Replace HID headlight assemblies?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ADDvanced, Jun 21, 2016.

  1. ADDvanced

    ADDvanced Junior Member

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    my Prius has headlight housings in terrible shape. I've tried sanding them, polishing them with a 3" pneumatic buffer, they still look terrible something is inside them. I see replacements on eBay, but they are all for halogen/non HID housings.

    Ideas?
     
    #1 ADDvanced, Jun 21, 2016
  2. ADDvanced

    ADDvanced Junior Member

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    Bump
     
    #2 ADDvanced, Jun 30, 2016
  3. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    You could look around some local auto salvage yards. Most will network with other salvage yards outside your area to find what you need.
     
    #3 DonDNH, Jun 30, 2016
  4. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    List price from Toyota for HID lights is $377 each. Olathe Toyota discounts to $283.

    If your car is too old or your wallet too thin it's possible to retrofit halogen headlights. If you are willing to give up high beams it is a two wire splice. Getting high beams to work requires some creativity.

    A friend with a very thin wallet did this and sold his cloudy HID lights for more than new after market halogen cost.

    Brad
     
    #4 strawbrad, Jul 2, 2016
  5. ADDvanced

    ADDvanced Junior Member

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    So nobody has replaced HID headlights with ebay assemblies so far?
     
    #5 ADDvanced, Aug 30, 2016
  6. ADDvanced

    ADDvanced Junior Member

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    Is there anyway I can purchase the NON-HID assemblies and use my HIDs in them? Or will it require major surgery? What is the difference between the two housings?
     
    #6 ADDvanced, Aug 30, 2016
    BlackBetty likes this.
  7. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    I'd think the biggest difference would be in the reflectors which I suspect are "tuned" to the type of bulb intended for use. The base of the bulb is also different so the placement of the bulb would be different.
     
    #7 DonDNH, Aug 31, 2016
  8. bikes4u

    bikes4u Member

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    check ebay
     
    #8 bikes4u, Aug 31, 2016
  9. ADDvanced

    ADDvanced Junior Member

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    Does anyone know if you can convert to halogen?
     
    #9 ADDvanced, Sep 14, 2016
  10. DailyDrivenPrius

    DailyDrivenPrius New Member

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    Sorry to ask but why don't you upgrade to HID's?
     
    #10 DailyDrivenPrius, Sep 14, 2016
  11. ADDvanced

    ADDvanced Junior Member

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    I have HIDs currently. One doesn't work. BOTH headlamp housings are in terrible shape. I have tried wet sanding and polishing them but they still look awful. One has moisture on the inside, the other has some weird melted parts on the inside. When I replaced the bulb in one; the inside of the ballast area was filled with rusty water.

    So: Pony up $600 to replace both housings AND pay for new ballasts

    OR

    $120 for both brand new halogen assemblies.
     
    #11 ADDvanced, Sep 14, 2016
  12. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    Using the HIDs in the halogen housing will give you bad light projection (glare to other drivers) and is illegal.

    I think you have a third option which is to get used HID housings. E.g.: 2006 2007 2008 2009 Toyota Prius Headlight Driver Left Lamp HID Xenon 06 09 | eBay

    Note that if you want the halogen light assemblies to work properly I believe you'll need two relays, two fuse blocks, wires, and two new bulbs (Add $25-40 depending on the bulb quality for all of this). This will allow both the low and high beams to work once wired properly.
     
    #12 Kevin_Denver, Sep 14, 2016
  13. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Yes you can. If you are willing to give up high beams then it is a two wire splice. Getting both high and low beams to work will require adding relays. You will need the halogen housings, rubber boots around the bulbs, and the halogen bulbs.

    Brad
     
    #13 strawbrad, Sep 14, 2016
  14. Dudley G Thomas

    Dudley G Thomas New Member

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    I have a 2005 with original HID, but hit a deer last week, and the passenger side is toast. I am thinking that It would be cheaper in the long game to switch to Halogen.

    The price tag listed above does not scare me away, but the great unknown of wiring relays has me a bit worried...is there a bit of instruction on this buried somewhere on this site?
     
    #14 Dudley G Thomas, Nov 11, 2019
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