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blown headlight socket cost $1000???

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by toyota cat, Jan 18, 2022.

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  1. toyota cat

    toyota cat New Member

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    My passenger headlight was out. I took it in a toyota certified service center I always go to for service. They were going to do it for me for free if I bring the headlight. But then he pulled it out and showed me. It looked completely melted. He said it must have been loosened and knocked around, causing unstable heat and it melted and exploded...now the whole socket blown and need to be replaced. But because it's part of the whole headlight construction, it will cost me $1000 to replace! It seems crazy. Is this real? Should I try and get a second opinion somewhere? He said he can't just install a new light because the socket is broken and it won't hold the bulb in place...he has to to special order it also...yikes!! attachd is a picture

    Also my headlights are super dim. I can barely see when it's dark out. Most body shops don't do work on that but one offer to polish the cover and said this might take care of it...but the cover doesn't actually look that dirty...any suggestions on that? Thank you!!
     

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    #1 toyota cat, Jan 18, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2022
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    A new headlight is $100 on ebay
     
    PriusCamper and privilege like this.
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Your profile doesn't mention the trim of your car. That wouldn't be the LED headlight, would it? I wasn't expecting it to have a 'socket', but come to think of it, the high beam is still socketed if I remember right.
     
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Agree, get a used one or go to a junkyard, pick a part, salvage yard, or last resort, have a body shop order the part for you. Body shops source parts like that all the time to repair collision damage.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    FYI, whoever installed the bulb last on that headlight assembly did not install it correctly. It was installed at an angle, that's what caused the overheating and melting issue.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Raytheeagle and privilege like this.
  6. privilege

    privilege Active Member

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    if you're gen 3 headlights are dim, I bet the stealership that installed the last two bulbs screwed up the prices, causing your current condition.

    fixes:
    1 buy a headlight online. ($100)
    2 buy led "bulbs" to replace your incandescents ($100 for all high and low)
    3 aim then with a flat wall , tape and flat parking lot (free)

    enjoy amazingly bright clean light, and not being ripped off
     
  7. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Prius was sold with halogen and HID headlights, and maybe some with factory LED lights. Your question cannot be properly answered unless we know which type. and you definitely shouldn’t buy a replacement reflector (that’s the melted part) until you know what was stock. If it’s been dim, most likely, you have halogen. But let’s be certain before we throw out answers. You must get the correct reflector type. The are not interchangeable.
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ This.

    Assuming OP's "oakland" location is in the USA, and he hasn't got the LED's, the headlight part no's are:

    81170-47520 < Left Headlight, non-LED (driver side)
    81130-47520 < Right Headlight, non-LED (passenger side)

    The Toyota parts site summary page:


    HEADLAMP. 2015 Toyota Prius | Toyota


    And specific headlight:


    2015 Toyota Prius Headlight (Right). HEADLAMP, Electrical, Lamps - 8113047520 - Genuine Toyota Part


    For a single one, the price (from various online dealerships or EBay), is around $200~250 USD. That's just searching for those part numbers. Alibaba sells them for $45, but minimum order of 20.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jan 19, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2022
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    HID was a Gen 2 option. For Gen 3, the headlights were halogen or LED.

    The halogen ones look like this (or at least ones with busted lenses do). Notice the single large low-beam projector lens:

    [​IMG]

    The LED ones look like this; notice the two smaller low-beam projector lenses:

    [​IMG]

    LED ones also came with headlight washers (the trapezoid-ish bumper lump under the headlight there).

    Mendel linked to the halogen ones above, with their wallet-friendly $300-or-less pricing.

    The LED ones are about double ($637.48 list, check individual dealers for discounts).


    2015 Toyota Prius Headlight (Right). HEADLAMP, LED, CND - 8114547403 - Genuine Toyota Part
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i find the halogens bright enough