Another HID woes

Interesting.

First thought would be finger prints (oil) causing a hot spot and pop.

Have also read about housing leaks before (not sure what part of Texas you are in), but has the vehicle see any excess water/rain recently?

 

You were lucky it wasn't the ballast. Ballast don't swim well either. After replacing a ballast I sealed the headlight lens with my hot Glue gun around the seams. It kept water out and a cheap fix. The good thing about HID's is when you get rid of them.

 

Did you purchase an OEM bulb, or was that one of the less expensive options?

You might be interested in this LED retrofit thread for under $40 a pair.

HID to LED conversion | PriusChat

Pretty sure this will be the path we take as the passenger HID bulb is cutting out at times (might even be flashing), and only a matter of time before complete failure.

Or we could gamble on a pair of knockoffs for $12 and see how long they actually last.

 

That OEM HID bulb was Phillips brand?

Do you have a link to those defective LED fog lights?

Wouldn't want someone (or myself) to make a bad purchase.

 

umm. isn't the Philips 85126 bulb a D2R?

Shouldn't a 2006 be using a D4R? ie Philips 42406?

I do not believe the 2006 D4R ballast is compatible with the D2R model bulb, but I may be wrong...it's happened before........

and of course, don't the older D2R's contain mercury? I'd refrain from licking what's left of the bulb....and wash my hands really well.

speaking of mercury..I think the D4R's are the friendly version, mercury free, which is why the ballasts are different

 

Good call. Maybe the OP is using the wrong bulb?

Model years 04-05 used a different bulb and ballast according to this TSB :

https://priuschat.com/attachments/t-sb-0374-09-hid-bulb-intermittent-operation-flickering-pdf.27721/

 

Nice info with the TSB. I think we may be on the right trail. I bet the D4R ballast eventually made the bulb internals swell and imitate popcorn. OP should probably just install 42406 D4Rs in both headlights, call it a day and hope the ballasts don't have unseen/unnoticed damage that may show up later.

On a side note, the Philips 42406 D4Rs I purchased and installed about a year ago (Home Depot online at $51 each) in my 2007 are still going strong.