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2011 Prius 3 headlights goes off and on

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Codemonkey757, Sep 6, 2019.

  1. Codemonkey757

    Codemonkey757 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2019
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    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I recently bought a used Prius 3, and it drives great, but I notice a problem with the headlights. When driving, the passenger front and rear headlights would occasionally turn off then back on again. Taking the car out of Eco Mode doesn't help. It happens randomly, regardless of there's a bump or not. I even got pulled over last night because my headlight was out (thankfully he didn't give me a ticket). This is getting REALLY annoying. How do I fix this?!

    Sorry if this is the wrong thread.
     
  2. Codemonkey757

    Codemonkey757 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2019
    12
    1
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    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
  3. Maarten28

    Maarten28 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
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    Location:
    Netherlands
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    There's probably a loose connection somewhere.
    Do you have halogen or LED lights?
     
  4. Codemonkey757

    Codemonkey757 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2019
    12
    1
    0
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    No idea. I bought it from a 2nd hand auto dealer as is. How can I tell the difference?
     
  5. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

    Joined:
    May 22, 2011
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    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    Not sure I understand yet, but are you saying the exterior lighting (headlight, parking lights, brakes?) on the right side - passenger side - of the vehicle are intermittent? I would guess some rodent action on the wiring harness somewhere or indeed a loose connector. Doesn't sound like a low 12 V battery problem, although any electrical gremlins point to that as a primary source. Unless you are handy with a continuity tester and have the vehicle wiring diagrams I would refer to competent mechanical authority.