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2008 Headlights - Condensation & assembly replacement directions

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Steelerfan2018, May 27, 2019.

  1. Steelerfan2018

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    Hi all,
    I have a 2008 with hazy headlights and condensation. In the short term I am going to buff out the headlights (went to Advanced and got Mothers headlight kit) but the condensation has me thinking that I need to bite the bullet and do the whole assembly.

    Q #1 - how do I know what kind of headlight I currently have? I assume that I need to replace with the same type? Or don't I? Can I swap the whole assembly out for an upgrade? Right now the headlights are a bit dim and would like to get better lights.

    Q #2 - Would something like this work? FOR 06-09 TOYOTA PRIUS PAIR CHROME HOUSING CLEAR CORNER HEADLIGHT/HRADLAMP SET | eBay

    Final Q - Any directions out there on how to replace these?

    All help greatly appreciated,
    Rob
     
  2. oil_burner

    oil_burner Active Member

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    have someone turn on the headlights while you look at them. Do they come on instantly (halogen) or do they take about 5 seconds to fire and warm up (HID). If they are halogen you can swap the entire housing for the one on eBay quite easily, I think its only 3 bolts holding the housing in, two are under the hood and one is behind the fender liner iirc. New bulbs will make your lights brighter regardless if they are HID or Halogen, but you will need to pull the bulb out to confirm.
     
  3. Steelerfan2018

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    Thanks for all the help.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  5. Graeme1949

    Graeme1949 Member

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    If you have the Xenon or HID (high intensity discharge) headlights you can tell because there will be two bright yellow HIGH VOLTAGE warning labels in the engine compartment. (The system won't let me upload pictures.) There is one on each side. I would let an expert work on those because my manual* has several very specific warnings, and some specific procedures to follow.

    If you have Halogen lights you can probably replace those yourself, but it does require removing the assembly from the vehicle.

    * The manual I have is "Toyota Prius Repair and Maintenance 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008". Copyright 2008, Bentley Publishers. I believe I bought this on Amazon, but it was several years ago. This book is based on official Toyota documentation.



    -Graeme-
    2004 Prius with >190,000 miles.
    Sent ?.
     
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  6. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Once you have the headlight assembly out of the car you can see where the lens (the clear part) meet the body of the assembly. I had to replace my ballast because of water and condensation so I used my hot glue gun and ran a bead around the outside of the lens sealing the headlight assembly again. Once it is reinstalled you can't see the hot glue.
     
  7. Steelerfan2018

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    Update - I had someone turn on my lights while I was looking and they came on immediately. I assume Halogen.

    When I go to ebay to get the assemblies, they do not have bulbs. If I am going to swap these out, I might as well get new bulbs. Googling I found these GE Megalight Ultra +130 9003 (HB2/H4) Car Lamps | PowerBulbs

    Does all this sound correct?

    Rob
     
  8. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Probably, or skip the mega mumbo and get the Sylvania replacements. Had to replace my passenger side in late December -- or I should say a "nice man" replaced it for me (nephew). But if the mega are really two bulbs, that's not a bad price. I prefer local when I can. That company appears to be in the UK>
    kris

    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/LMOBP9003NVCN
     
    #8 cyberpriusII, May 27, 2019
    Last edited: May 27, 2019
  9. Steelerfan2018

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    Hi all - been looking into this and another Q came up - how many bulbs are there in one assembly? Just the headlight? Or is there a turn signal bulb as well? I am thinking that if I am going to go thru with this, I want to replace everything.

    If there is a turn signal bulb - is it halogen as well? Or just a regular bulb?

    I am thinking that for the bulbs it would be best to go to Advanced Auto - that way if something isn't right, I can return it quick.

    Rob
     
  10. oil_burner

    oil_burner Active Member

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    I believe there are 3 bulbs, the parking light, the turn signal and the headlight. It is really not that difficult to take the housing out, you can do it in about 15 minutes. With the halogen you can actually reach and change both bulbs without taking the housing off, but I wouldn't really recommend it for a first timer because its a blind reach and if you don't seat the bulb correctly it will not light up the road.