Headlight level sensor corroded?

[timg]

I dropped my car off at the dealer this morning to investigate a squeak in the backend. I could hear the squeak while driving and also if you get out of the car and press down a bit on the bumper, etc.

So the dealer got back to me and said it ended up being the headlight level sensor getting corroded and it was swinging/rubbing when the car shook causing the squeak.

Has anybody heard of this happening? The repair is $485 although he said he is calling Toyota to see if they'll cover some of the repair. I am out of warranty (3 year/36,000 mile) on my 2006 with 45,000 miles, otherwise it would have been covered and it's not something that can really be lubricated.

Any thoughts?

[qbee42]

A number of the sensors failed on earlier Prius, but I haven't heard about any problems with the newer ones. They do move up and down with the suspension, so the story seems consistent.

Tom

[timg]

I just picked my car up and it was of course still squeaking. Since the guys at the dealership narrowed down the area I decided to crawl under there and see what was going on.

I didn't notice any corrosion in/around the headlight sensor and had a friend push on the car while I was down there listening. I noticed a small metal bar that was acting as a hinge (best way I can describe it at the moment) and got a can of WD-40 and gave each of the joints a squirt. Squeak GONE!!

I think I just saved myself a big repair bill so I'm pretty happy

[kkayser]

The warning light for that sensor circuit lights intermittently. I'll have to get under there and see if there is a loose wire or something. Exactly where is(are) the sensor(s)? What do they look like?

[Bill Merchant]

Here's a PDF from another PC poster on repairing his 2004 headlight level sensor. I wish I could give him name credit, but I only have his PDF. (about 600Kb)

[kkayser]

I could not ask for anything better. A new one is $318. I'll give it a try.

[MurrysvillePrius]

I do want to know what Toyota says. I just had my son take our, 04', in and after $118 for diagnostics(?) they are saying the part is $335 plus 2.5 hrs labor for a total of $675!!!!!!!!!!!. I told him to leave after the diagnostics.
This is sounding like the beginning of a recall. My warning light allways comes on because of this seconds after the car starts. What to do with Toyota?

[jpenny1965]

Originally Posted by Bill Merchant

Here's a PDF from another PC poster on repairing his 2004 headlight level sensor. I wish I could give him name credit, but I only have his PDF. (about 600Kb)

I have a 2006 Prius. The warning light came on last night. I removed the sensor, took it apart and the contacts and springs were corroded. I cleaned everything up, put it back to together, and put it on the car. Voila, it's fixed.

This saved me a ton of money. Thanks so much for posting the fix. It took me less than an hour for the entire repair and I didn't have to remove the rear wheel. I just jacked up the left rear.

[lenjack]

wd40 is a cleaner, not meant to be lubricant. You might want to squirt some real oil in there.

[northwichita]

Interesting thread, my job as a rural mail carrier means miles of country roads. I saw that sensor on my car as a possible problem and improvised a cover of used tire innertube rubber covering the sensor, mainly to protect it from excess mud. Sort of draped it over the sensor , tied on one end. I do not drive it on the truly muddy days, 5+ hours can really build up the mud, and the price quoted means... I really don't want to have to fix that. 30 k miles since covering the sensor and no issue so far.

Is it lubricatable? , externally, haven't thought of that. It really is at the worst area for dust etc, I'll probably leave alone until it requires attention.