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Tail lights out

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by 06Pri, Jan 14, 2009.

  1. 06Pri

    06Pri New Member

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    You know, the ones that turn on when the headlights are on. The license plate light works, as do the brake lights. Since the license plate lite works, I assume it's not the fuse. Both left and right are out. Headlights work, not sure if anything else is out, but I don't think so. It's a 2006 and I guess this is the first thing to go wrong.

    Anybody have an idea what might be the problem, before I take it to the dealer?

    thanks!
     
  2. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Oddly mine burned out last week, too. $4 for two teensy bulbs and it's all fixed. FYI Auto Zone has the wrong bulb in their computer. No need for the dealer: the doors to the bulbs are right there inside the trunk on each side. 1/4 turn and they're out/in.
     
  3. GreenSpeed

    GreenSpeed New Member

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  4. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Numbers on bulb are:
    37R (E6) 204 55T
    W5W (s) 12V.
    I am holding the bulb in my hand as i write this.
     
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You can use the vanity light bulbs, if you want to be safe for now. They are also W5W.
     
  6. kh6kine

    kh6kine New Member

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    This is an interesting one for me. Whilst going home one night after work, I spotted a Gen2 Prius just like mine, but the taillights were out. But BOTH of them? I tried to catch the driver's attention, but he may have thought I was crazy or something, and did not respond to me. Anyone have this problem, and what was the cause/fix, other than just changing the bubs? Having both taillights is strange, isn't it?
     
  7. cairo94507

    cairo94507 Active Member

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    I have an '05 and I had both of my tail lights burn out about 2 weeks apart. Took about 2 minutes to replace them and $2.00.
     
  8. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    I once found I was driving at night with only the DRLs on. I usually leave the lights on auto so I don't have to think about it, but had turned them to off while sitting parked waiting for someone. So, I had dim headlights on but no tail lights. Your info only says North American... these drl and auto features are on Canadian cars but not USAnian ones.
     
  9. prius_nerd

    prius_nerd Junior Member

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    My 2008 Prius right tail light is out (not the brake light).

    I pulled out the tiny bottom bulb, and it says:

    37R E6 204
    W5W S 12V
    79E

    The E6 is in an oval, the S is circled, and the 7 is underlined.

    I know 12V means 12 Volt, and W5W means Wedge 5 Watt. But I don't know what the rest means. I'm ordering this now and hope it's an appropriate replacement: Sylvania Basic Vanity Mirror Light Mini Bulb 2825
     
  10. MichaelKnight

    MichaelKnight Junior Member

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    Bulbs are consumable items...Since you have a second gen (taillight) exception for the Brake light which are considered non serviceable, everything else can be replaced (bulbs)....Don't forget to add dielectric grease and wear gloves ....
     
  11. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Note: I am having really bad luck with LEDs having short life. Do yourself a favor and get the cheap old halogen replacements.
     
    Skibob likes this.
  12. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    It strange that the owners manual does not call out a bulb number, just 5 watt wedge type.
     
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Time to rebulb the whole car. Order the factory bulbs online anything else is crap. Your going to love the headlight bulbs lol.....
     
  14. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Meh, I just order long life bulbs from rock auto when I place an order for something else. They are so cheap there you can get 4 different sets of 2 for the price of a 2 pack anywhere else.
     
  15. prius_nerd

    prius_nerd Junior Member

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    I installed one from this 2-pack, and it was quick, and it's working fine.