hi forum - headlight help! shuts off automatically...

Sounds like you have the HID headlamps. They are arc lamps, and there have been problems with the ballasts as well as the bulbs. You -may- be able to get help under warranty from a dealer, to replace the ballasts, but it's probably the bulbs. Where did you get the replacement bulbs?

 

If you've got the Hi-D bulbs, you are not alone. I heard some ideas bouncing around earlier about how the electronics were the cause, but it seems like the problem is with the OEM bulbs.

I just changed mine out today (mucho thanks to Prius chat for the step-by-step) so we'll see how long they last. I bought mine from
ebay.

That said, there are numerous posts here in the forums related to this issue covering the gamut from DIY all the way to contacting Toyota corporate for out-of-warranty help.

 

Make sure you don't have HIDs. Guessing isn't good enough.

Tom

 

I haven't heard of this issue in a car that doesn't have the HID bulbs..could be wrong! But it sounded pretty specific. I have a 07 Prius - non touring, and I've heard of this problem a few times from touring Prius owners. I'm not sure how to tell a difference between the standard bulbs and HID, but I thought HID lamps were standard in the touring packages? I get my years/packages mixed up sometimes!

 

Only ones I have heard of with the problem have HID's. Do you have fog lights? If you do, you have HID's. That is the only way they came if you have fogs. Not sure if all HID's have fogs though, but that is a good indication.