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2007 Prius Headlight HID issues

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ryan Roth, Mar 4, 2020.

  1. Ryan Roth

    Ryan Roth Junior Member

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    Having some headlight issues in my '07 Prius.

    I have the Phillips HID bulb coming in the mail today. But fear it may be ballast related.

    General question though, is the ballast all contained within the headlight assembly?
    I've quickly glanced on a ballast replacement tutorial and seems doable but wondering if I could save some time and just replace the entire headlight assy (assuming a new ballast is included in that part) and whether that would solve my issue?

    Contemplating in my head the price for a headlight assy vs price of ballast plus having to remove and install.
     
  2. roccostud

    roccostud Junior Member

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    its not that hard to do the balast but i did it once and it went out again. i bought a set of morimoto D2R bulbs and matching ballasts and did a little diy retrofit i have yet to have any problems and much cheaper to replace than the OEM.
     
  3. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The assembly usually will not come with the ballast.

    So you need to buy
    - assembly
    - ballast
    - bulbs
     
  4. Classic Car Guy

    Classic Car Guy Active Member

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  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Yes. The Philips D4R 42406 was an OEM bulb for 2006-2009 gen 2 with HID option.
     
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  6. Classic Car Guy

    Classic Car Guy Active Member

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    Great. and thank you for the follow-up. That's what I want to know. I wanted the similar performance as the stock. Not brighter than the original so I wont blind the opposite driver. I will order now that one in the picture as you recommended. Thank you again.
     
  7. Chris in Dover

    Chris in Dover New Member

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    Hello,
    Can you please tell me the signs of HID bulb on its last legs? I'm getting intermittent off. Requires switching off/on to get it to turn back on. When it comes back on it starts off bright and immediately fades but stays on for a while. Until I realize it went out again and we repeat the drill.
    Does this sound about right?
    In the case of the passenger side I got none of this it just suddenly died - end of story. Paid the dealer $200 parts/labor to replace that one.
    With this driver side I'm tempted to buy the Phillips and try replacing myself.
    Thanks,
    Chris
     
  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Yes, your symptoms are indicative of the bulb being at end of life. You should replace them in pairs.
     
  9. Chris in Dover

    Chris in Dover New Member

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    Thanks.

    Why pairs?
     
  10. Chris in Dover

    Chris in Dover New Member

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  11. Chris in Dover

    Chris in Dover New Member

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    Is the reason for pairs so that they give identical performance and give off the same color light?

    As I said, I just paid a dealer $ 200 to do the passenger. Are you saying I should give up on the DIY plan and let the dealership do the driver's side so they are a pair? Because the DIY Philips bulb will give off a different color light from the bulb the dealer installed?

    Thanks
     
  12. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Typically, headlight bulbs age identically. If an HID is doing the on/off thing, that is a main indicator that it's at the end of life. If one is EOL, then the other is right behind it. Secondary, the quality of light. I've bought HIDs online through onyxlights.com and they've been great. Run about $60 for a pair when I purchased them. I always DIY it. I use OEM intensity, which is 4300K if I remember correctly. Your car should use a D4R model (once again, if I remember correctly, because it's been years since the last time I had to replace a set)

    Onyx Performance Lights | Performance Automotive Lighting (onyxlights.com)
     
  13. Mr Phil

    Mr Phil New Member

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    I had the same problem with my lights (bright then fade, randomly turn off until I power cycled) and it continued with new bulbs until I replaced the ballasts.
     
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