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My Prius suffered a Stroke!!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Highbrid, Feb 3, 2009.

  1. Highbrid

    Highbrid New Member

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    Help my Prius suffered a Stroke! There is no power to the Left headlight, Left Tail Light or Left License Plate light. What Gives??? I thought it was just my Left Headlight bulb going out again. I have a 2005 Model 2 Prius with 106K miles. I don't want to take it to the dealer cause It's out of warranty and I'm afraid to find out how much it will cause. Any advice? Everything else works just fine.
     
  2. taggart

    taggart Member

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    Could it be a blown fuse?
     
  3. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Speaking off the cuff, look under the fuse box cover ,it details the location, see if you have anything concerning lights, left side versus right side. If you can't see the blown fuse, use an ohmmeter to check cotinuity.
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I'm sorry, but I smell a troll since this is your first post and the problem claimed is highly unlikely as the right side and left side license plate, tail lights and side marker lights all receive power via the 10A TAIL fuse.

    If this problem is real, then I suggest that you start by checking the tail and license plate bulbs and replace if required. If the bulbs are good, then you'll have to use a digital multimeter and find out where 12V no longer is available in the wiring harness to the left side bulb sockets.
     
  5. Highbrid

    Highbrid New Member

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    I had other posts back 3 years ago but could not remember my
    login
    info for the life of me. I also had posted info on
    Priusonline
    a while back. Very strange issue. I am afraid of messing with the fuse box and getting
    electrocuted
    as I have heard of 5 mechanics(not certified to work on
    hybrids
    ) that where fried to death. :(
     
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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  7. kohnen

    kohnen Grumpy, Cranky Senior Member

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    Lighting system is 12 Volts. You shouldn't have any problem.
    Just avoid the bright orange wires (THOSE are the high voltage for the hybrid system) and you should be OK.
     
  8. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Agreed Tom, Troll.
    If you don't want to be electrocuted don't cut the fat orange wires. How hard is that?
     
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    But in the case of a troll, I say go for it.

    Tom
     
  10. Highbrid

    Highbrid New Member

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    Ok at lunch time I got the tools out. All the fuses seemed fine so I went to take out the left tail light bulb. It was bad so I have to replace all bulbs on the left side I guess. Is it true I have to remove the front bumper to replace the left headlight bulb? I've heard that there exists electrical issues with the Prius which may cause the left headlight to go out prematurely. As far as the troll issue , sorry no troll here. Just someone trying to figure out an issue with a 4 year old Prius. But I do suspect Gremlins in Toyota's Electrial system.
     
  11. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    Mebbie a picture of the car and odo is needed as proof to give reassurance to our top tech posters...
     
  12. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Just seems too strange, all left lights even though one of those is on a common feed to a right globe.
    Odd for Toyota to have gremlins too. It isn't a Renault.
     
  13. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    On some cars a short ( momentary, until burnout) can cause a problem with other lights, front, left or right. Did replacement of the tail light bulb fix the whole problem. Look for a shorted wire.............
     
  14. tmanson

    tmanson Geetar-playin' Traveler

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    Sounds like a disconnected ground wire to me.
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Err, no. I've changed my headlights many times. See the KB for instructions. It's really simple to change but it might take some time if it's your first time doing it (because it can get pretty tight esp. for the left headlight)
     
  16. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Was there a resolution to this thread?