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HID headlights

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by JohnPhillipsIII, Aug 30, 2008.

  1. JohnPhillipsIII

    JohnPhillipsIII New Member

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    Port Orchard, Washington
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Good morning. I am new to this, have never used a forum in the past. But this headlight issue has kind of made me mad. 2006 Package #6, love the car. Passenger headlight went out 2-3 days ago, took it to the dealer, they tested it, changed the "computer", told me the bulb was okay. My wife drives the car home, following me, within 30 miles both headlights go out. Take it back to the dealer, now the passenger bulb is bad, $320 later, it is working. Drive the car home and drivers light goes out. This seems somewhat obsurd that they would both coincidentally go out at the same time, without some underlying cause. My concern is that Toyota knows this is a problem, but doesn't seem to know how to fix it. The liability of me driving on a dark and rainy night and having the headlights fail, seems as though it would benefit them to fix them correctly, and find the underlying cause. I have seen links that kind of tell how to fix it myself, but some suggest using the D2S bulbs instead of the D4R that came in the car. I think it would be best to stick with the correct bulbs. Is this something that Toyota has fixed, or has everyone had to fork out the cash to have it fixed?

    Please help.
     
    #1 JohnPhillipsIII, Aug 30, 2008
  2. N3FOL

    N3FOL Member

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    2008 Prius
    I may be in the same boat as you for I'm not well informed on the issues that lead to the HID failure of some Prius models. From what I heard, '06 and '07 models have had their share of problems with HID lamps or other problems....I have never heard of any '08's HID failing. It may be to early to tell for us '08 owners, but we shall find out over the next season.

    I agree that you should stick with the recommended rating HID bulb that Toyota installs on the Prius. Have Toyota diagnose your problem once again, since you already have paid over $300 bucks to have it fixed. FWIW, HID bulbs should last a lot longer than just 2 years.
     
    #2 N3FOL, Aug 31, 2008
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Not everyone has had this problem, but it does appear that Toyota used a bad batch of HID capsules (bulbs). Toyota service departments often erroneously replace the controller unit (ballast) when not necessary, and their price for replacement capsules is ridiculous.

    Many PC members have replaced their own capsules with ones purchased off the Internet. If you want to go this route, complete instructions with photos are available on another thread. Search for HID replacement or HID headlamps.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Aug 31, 2008
  4. JohnPhillipsIII

    JohnPhillipsIII New Member

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    2006 Prius
    thanks,

    I think I will talk with toyota again this week. But I have found cheaper replacement capsules on line. And I am fully capable of changing them. I was just concerned that there was some other underlying problem that is causing the bulbs to go out. I will look up the other links.

    thanks again, John
     
    #4 JohnPhillipsIII, Aug 31, 2008
  5. steevr

    steevr New Member

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    2009 Prius
    I'm assuming your car is still under the 3yr/36,000mi warranty. If its a ballast or other electrical component, it will be covered. If it's the bulb, they should also cover it under warranty as HIDs normally last the life of the car.

    We had our daytime running light burn out on my wife's Lexus GX470 and they covered the cost of the bulb and the labor to change it under warranty. Just insist that they must cover it.
     
    #5 steevr, Aug 31, 2008
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