HID headlight question

The darkness to the left is the normal cutoff pattern, that's to prevent blinding oncoming drivers. Also, since they do not get brighter when switched to high, i.e., they are basically just re-aimed, it's probably not as obvious to oncoming traffic when they are on high. I get flashed every now and then, though, with them just on low.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PeakFinder @ Nov 29 2006, 10:02 AM) [snapback]355197[/snapback]</div>

I would assume so. If you have them shining on a wall and switch from high to low, do you see a difference in the shape of the beam?

 

I think they are suspect. There have been quite a few HID aiming problems due to the leveling sensor in the back not working correctly. Why not take it in and have them aimed, under warranty. If they are OK nothing lost but a little time and you will know.

 

Sounds like normal operation to me. The cutoff is very sharp and the lights are very bright, so the black areas outside the light pattern appear darker than with normal lights. The motorized levelers adjust for loading changes. You can check and see if they are working by shining your lights on a wall and getting out and standing on the back bumper. In about five seconds the light pattern will move down a bit. Get off the bumper and in about the same time the pattern will move up.

There were some earlier problems with the load sensor, which is installed on the left rear spring. I haven't heard about many problems recently, but when the sensor fails the lights tip down and do not adjust, which will be reveled with the little trick above. That said, if you think they are mis-aimed, have your dealer check it out.

Tom

 

<_< The "motorized" HID headlights re-aim the headlights when you have a heavy load in the cargo area and/or back seats - specifically to help avoid blinding oncoming traffic. A sensor is incorporated into the rear suspension to facilitate this feature.

The "bright lights" feature uses the same HID bulb, but moves a small shield which, on low beams, cuts off the upper portion of the beam.

The HID headlights work in a fashion similar to arc lights. The gas within the bulb is excited by the electrical current. There is a surge of power to 'start' the light which you can notice when they first come on - like a brief extra bright flash [normal]. It is interesting to note that the HIDs, although much brighter than the Halogens used in other models consume much less power, 35 watts constant for the HIDs vs. 60 watts high and 55 watts low for the Halogen bulbs. This information can be found on Page 419 of the 2007 Owner's Manual.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PeakFinder @ Nov 28 2006, 10:32 PM) [snapback]355078[/snapback]</div>

My HID headlights were aiming too low too. I had the leveling sensor replaced, which helped a little, but they were still too low. The dealer told me there was no mechanical or electronic adjustment to raise or lower the beam. It was all done by the leveling sensor. I found this suspect, but I couldn't ask the dealer to do more.

Since my lights were still too low and unsafe, I disconnected the actuator arm on the sensor and taped it into a position that shined the lights down the road without blinding other drivers. Now the lights are perfect. They point exactly where they're supposed to. No one flashes me, indicating they're too high. The state inspector said they were at the right height. The weakness of this approach is the lights would aim too high if I had heavy loads or many passengers in the car. I never have either, so it's not a problem.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Nov 29 2006, 02:29 PM) [snapback]355311[/snapback]</div>

I have a fully loaded 2005 too. I have headlight adjustment screws on mine that are easily reached from the top with the hood open. I too found my lights way to low and adjusted them so they are aimed to light up the road in front of me without oncoming drivers flashing me. Made a big difference in seeing at night.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cairo94507 @ Nov 29 2006, 10:18 PM) [snapback]355507[/snapback]</div>

I looked for adjustment screws, but didn't see any. Would you please be more specific about their location and/or provide a picture. Thanks!

 

Hi cairo and nyprius

There was a mechanical adjustment for the Halogen headlights on the 2004 & 2005 Prius. My new 2007 TE has HID headlights, so I am not aware whether they can be mechanically adjusted. While I don't have details and the 2007 TE Owner's Manual omits some Do-It-Yourself instructions found in earlier models [Toyota must be protecting its mechanics' income and selling Reapir Manuals.], I believe that melchanism for the Halogens has been replaced by a motorized system linked to the rear suspension sensor to automatically adjust the HID headlights for changes in weight in the cargo area and back seats.

Here's a page from my old 2004 Owner's Manual providing instructions on adjusting the aim of the Halogen headlight assemblies. I used a Phillips screwdriver with an 8" shaft. You will find a "notch" forward and angled above the adjusting "gear" - The screwdriver shaft needs to be in that notch to provide leverage to make the adjustment.

[attachmentid=5798]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Nov 30 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]355709[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for this info Charles! I'm not an expert, but I couldn't see any adjustment like this on the 2005 with HID lights. The halogens don't have auto leveling, so they must have manual adjustment, as you point out. The dealer told me there was no mechanical adjustment for auto-leveling HIDs. But this didn't make sense. Slight differences in cars, state regulations and other factors indicate a manual adjustment for fine tuning the auto-leveling is needed.

Cairo94507 said in a previous post there was a manual adjustment for HIDs. Cairo, would you please provide more details on this.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Nov 30 2006, 12:05 PM) [snapback]355718[/snapback]</div>

I have a 2006 with the HID lamps and my wife and I both hate the illumination. It seems like we are seroiusly overdriving the headlights which is not a good thing to do with all the deer running to say nothing of kids.
I saw the "star washer adjuster" on my light holder and tried to make an adjustment. I turned the screw driver a bit and could see no change on the garage wall. How much is one expected to turn the screw to move the aim a 1 0r 2 inches on a 30' distant traget?
Also it looks like a 7mm wrench will also work on the white shaft.

Tim

 

Sorry it took me a while to see this thread again; I hope this helps everyone out.

OK, here is the adjustment on the passenger side of the car. It is the same relative location on the driver's side. I am pointing to it with a blue stick in picture one and it is next tot he air intake tube. I use a phillips screwdrive to adjustment to turn it andit takes a lot of turning to move it. I raised mine about an 2" on the garage door from about 6' back and turned the screw probably 4 complete revolutions or more.

[attachmentid=5897]

[attachmentid=5895]

You can see the bolt head of the adjustment nut in the next two pictures-it looks like it is silver. (Please disregard how dirty the engine compartment is.....I have to clean that!

[attachmentid=5896]

You can actually see the teeth that the phillips screwdrive engages with to turn the adjustment knob. I just put a piece of blue tape on the hot-spot of the headlight as it hit the garage door so that I could see if it was moving. Also I did not want to go crazy adjusting them upwards. I adjusted them and took it for a ride (at night) to see how they looked and made the adjustment based upon road illumination and the way the lights struck the rear of the car I was following as well as if anyone flashed me as they approached. I am happy with the adjustment now and it made a big difference. By the way, these are HID factory lights and my car is a 2005, the top package offered then.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cairo94507 @ Dec 12 2006, 10:42 AM) [snapback]360844[/snapback]</div>

Thank you for this excellent info! My dealer should have known about this. They said there was no manual height adjustment on the HIDs.

 

NYprius- Glad to be of some assistance.

 

Thanks cairo94507 for your excellent & thorough answer:

"You can actually see the teeth that the phillips screwdrive engages with to turn the adjustment knob. I just put a piece of blue tape on the hot-spot of the headlight as it hit the garage door so that I could see if it was moving. Also I did not want to go crazy adjusting them upwards. I adjusted them and took it for a ride (at night) to see how they looked and made the adjustment based upon road illumination and the way the lights struck the rear of the car I was following as well as if anyone flashed me as they approached. I am happy with the adjustment now and it made a big difference. By the way, these are HID factory lights and my car is a 2005, the top package offered then."

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I also own a '98 Honda Accord, & it has the same type of headlight adjustment. When a guy first spots this type aiming adjuster, it does take a minute or two to figure out how it works. I think it goes without saying, that you need to find a Phillips scewdriver that fits & meshes well, or you may end up with a new problem.