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06 pruis headlight failure. How to fix?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Emily Harris, Sep 20, 2017.

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  1. Emily Harris

    Emily Harris New Member

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    Hi everyone!
    I'm an owner of an 06 toyota prius. Unfortunately after I got her I noticed the drivers side headlight would go out randomly while driving, but if I flicked my lights off and back on it would work again. I had my uncle look at it and he replaced the bulbs, but it still continued to happen. He had no idea what was going on, so I've just dealt with flicking it off and back on occasionally. Now a month ago the passenger side started to do it as well, but not as often. Last night while driving down a winding back road BOTH failed at the same time. Talk about a mini heart attack. They still came back on after flicking them, but I can't keep driving like this. What is the issue with them, has anyone else experienced this? And if so what exactly was wrong and needed replaced? I appreciate any info!
     
    #1 Emily Harris, Sep 20, 2017
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Emily,
    I'm going to assume you have the HID headlights. I've had 2 Prii, one 2005 and one 2007, that also have HID headlamps and experienced the same issue on the 2007. I replaced the headlamps with Philips D4R bulbs, model 42406. Unfortunately, they run about 50 each at home depot.com, but they are quality. Home Depot was the least expensive place I found and they are guaranteed to be genuine. Cheap bulbs from amazon or ebay are sketchy at best. I firmly believe that most repeat problems with these headlights are due to cheap chinese imposter bulbs.

    This thread makes a good read:

    Not all HID Bulbs are created equal | PriusChat
     
    #2 TMR-JWAP, Sep 21, 2017
  3. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    If you car has fog lights, then it is equipped with HID headlights.

    And if you have HID headlights it could be the "power supplies" for the lights that are bad. Not just the bulbs.

    The "power supplies" are often called "ballasts" and they are a few hundred bucks each just for the part. A few hundred bucks more for the labor to install them.
     
    #3 ericbecky, Sep 21, 2017
  4. Emily Harris

    Emily Harris New Member

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    TMR-JWAP
    Thank you for your response. My headlights are HIDs, I forgot to include that. When I attempted to replace them before I did purchase the bulbs from e bay, so that makes sense. Did replacing just the bulbs solve your issue?
     
    #4 Emily Harris, Sep 21, 2017
  5. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The way you describe it, I would lean towards failing ballasts.

    It will not be an inexpensive fix. (more than $500) Even if you do the work yourself.

    Failing ballasts may also damage new bulbs. So if you used quality bulbs, best to replace the ballasts before another set of bulbs get damaged.
     
    #5 ericbecky, Sep 21, 2017
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  6. Emily Harris

    Emily Harris New Member

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    Ericbecky
    I think you're right. Especially after reading the forum the other guy posted about how flicking the lights on and off, like I've been doing for a long time now, can destroy the ballasts. Plus they're 11 years old and the lifespan said 5-10 years. I just ordered new quality bulbs, but I'm going to go ahead and order the ballasts too. I don't want the new bulbs destroyed. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.
     
    #6 Emily Harris, Sep 21, 2017
  7. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    You will need to do some disassembly and reassembly of the new ballasts themselves to make the socket fit through the headlamp opening.
    Not sure how handy you are.
    Just a heads up. It is not straightforward.
     
    #7 ericbecky, Sep 21, 2017
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  8. L82thePRTY

    L82thePRTY New Member

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    I just bought one of these cars used and it does the same thing, apparently it's a well known issue.
    I bought a replacement bulb and ballast and have not installed it yet.

    You said both went out at one time in one case... does your car have the small white lights beneath and lower on the bumper too? I have found these to be a safety and fairly powerful at least when the main light flickers out. Not perfect, but I'm glad they put those lower lights in.
     
    #8 L82thePRTY, Mar 23, 2023
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Those lower lights are fog lights and are not really a useful substitute for proper headlights.
     
    #9 dolj, Mar 23, 2023
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