Drivers side headlight problem

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by randerson9248, Oct 25, 2016.

  1. randerson9248

    randerson9248 Junior Member

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    Passenger side headlight works normally on both high and low beam.

    Driver side on both high and low beam are flickering. The flickering is not
    random, but is more consistent, like a strobe light.

    Any ideas?

    Since the passenger side light works normally, I would think that the relay is
    not the problem.
     
    #1 randerson9248, Oct 25, 2016
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Do you have HID? Are you talking about Gen 2? Your profile shows gen 3.
     
    #2 valde3, Oct 25, 2016
  3. randerson9248

    randerson9248 Junior Member

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    Working on daughter in law's 2005. No HID
     
    #3 randerson9248, Oct 25, 2016
  4. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    You’re sure it’s not HID? Just replace the H4 bulb then.
     
    #4 valde3, Oct 25, 2016
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Sounds like it's HID.
     
    #5 xliderider, Oct 25, 2016
  6. randerson9248

    randerson9248 Junior Member

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    Well, you are right it is HID.

    I have the bulb out now.

    Is a rapid ,strobe like, flickering most likely caused by a bad bulb? Or is some other component
    of the HID system likely to be whats causing the problem?

    For some reason I thought 2006 was the first year for HID in Prius.
     
    #6 randerson9248, Oct 25, 2016
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    It's most likely either a bad bulb, or a bad ballast.

    Easiest way to find out which is swap the bulbs from side to side (driver's goes to passenger's, etc). If the flickering moves to the passenger side, it's the bulb, if it stays on the driver's side, it's the ballast or wiring/connectors on that side.

    If I had to guess, it's a bad bulb. Replace in pairs if you do need a new bulb.
     
    #7 xliderider, Oct 25, 2016
    WilDavis and m.wynn like this.
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