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auto high-beams turning off intermittently

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DWC12846, Jan 6, 2020.

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  1. DWC12846

    DWC12846 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2019
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    Location:
    Glens Falls, NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My automatic high beams are acting funny. My Prius does NOT have auto lights on/off. I leave my auto high beam switch in the on position (green illuminated switch left of the steering column).

    When I turn on my headlights, the instrument panel shows a headlight with the word "auto" underneath it. Driving at night my headlights dim to low-beam when a vehicle approaches from the opposite direction or if I'm following a vehicle. A few seconds after the vehicle passes me in the opposite direction my headlights return to high-beam. That's the way they're supposed to work.

    Every once in a while, right AFTER the oncoming vehicle passes me (and I'm NOT following another vehicle), the "auto" indicator on the dashboard goes out and my high beams do NOT turn back on. The low beams stay on. The auto high-beam switch to the left of the steering column is still green (turned on). About 30-45 seconds later, the "auto" indicator on the dashboard comes back on and my high-beams come back on.

    I live in a rural area with no street lights and no other lights such as porch lights or spotlights in someone's yard. Still, the "auto" indicator should NOT turn off if the sensor "sees" stray illumination.

    The car is at the dealer tonight. The mechanic called me this evening and said the "auto" indicator turns off because of reflective signs on the side of the road. When I pick the car up tomorrow I'm going to tell him his reason is hogwash. I've had the high-beams go off due to reflective signs, but the indicator still says "auto".

    Has anyone else had this problem? I read you can change the sensitivity, but I have not changed it.
     
  2. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
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    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
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    Yap, the problem with auto high beam on PRIME and Gen4 have been discussed in several threads. Mine does the same thing, and Toyota says it's "NORMAL". I no longer use that function and keep the auto high beam switch turned off. Just use manual high beam on/off when you need it.

    Read this thread and my comment: Automatic High Beams Not Functioning? | Page 2 | PriusChat
     
  3. DWC12846

    DWC12846 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2019
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    Location:
    Glens Falls, NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Thanks Salamander King. I searched before I posted but I could not find a related posting so I posted under "Toyota Prius Plug-in Forums - Prime Care (etc)". My Dealer said it was normal like many others have said following your link above. I'll contact NHTSA and complain.
     
  4. Dennis_MA

    Dennis_MA Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2012
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    Location:
    Amherst, MA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
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    N/A
    I agree. For the most part I don't use them. I live in a rural area with light traffic. The lights dim every time I slow down to make a turn on dark roads where I need them the most. At times I find them slow to respond to on coming traffic and slow to turn back up after the car has past. On roads where I am traveling at a regular speed they seem to work ok so I use them then.
     
  5. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2011
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    Location:
    Long Island
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    I use mine at always.
    They act the same way.
    Some times he feature doesn't work.
    It will then restart and function as normal.