I bought my Prius in November 2010. I replaced my headlights about three months ago when the right one wen out. It went out again a few days ago. Then suddenly the diver side went out 2 days later. I also noticed that the right side parking light is out. The only lights that work are the high beams. Any ideas? I did check the fuses. iPad ? HD
Aha, thought so. I suspect that your bulbs are being damaged by the current fluctuations during startup. Most cars have surges present when everything is going on during startup (starter motor cranking, etc). I didn't think this was a problem in the Prius because it doesn't have a high amp draw starter, but I had a relay fail prematurely in my highbeam DRL mod module I have. The relay draws power immediately when the car is in Ready mode. The failed relay terminals displayed residue from arcing. I ended up putting in a delay relay to prevent damage to the relay. The delay ensures that power to the circuit (relay) is stable, because it doesn't come on during the initial period of time when all the electronics are being initialized and current/voltage fluctuations are present. I suggest you either install a delay relay as well in the headlight circuit, or turn the lights on manually after the startup period takes place. A few seconds is all that's needed. Also, never touch the bulbs with your fingers. The oils from your hands will create a hot spot on the bulb leading to premature failure of the bulb. SCH-I535
Thanks!! I was really enjoying being lazy and not turning off my lights. I will get new bulbs and try. It just seems odd that those bulbs didn't last half a year. Do you have any idea why the lights on top stopped working? iPad Mini ? HD
Which lights on top? The parking lights? They were probably getting old and the filaments were getting thin. The current fluctuations burned them out. SCH-I535
Again thanks. Do you know how to replace those bad boys by any chance? I should say I have 75000 on my Prius. It's not sitting parked. iPad Mini ? HD
Yeah, changed them more than a few times between LEDs, incandescent, different colors, lol. Just reach up behind the headlight and turn the bulb holder a quarter turn and remove carefully. Put the new bulbs in, without touching them, make sure they are well seated in the sockets so they don't fall out in your headlight housing, then carefully put the bulbs through the back of the headlight housing and give it a quarter turn to lock in place. The passenger side is harder to get to. You have to remove some 10mm bolts holding the coolant reservoir hose and move them aside so you can reach the bulb. SCH-I535
Looks like my headlights are good. I have electrical problems. Anyone ever had this? All of my lights went out accept for one parking light. iPad Mini ? HD
I tried new bulbs no luck. The guy at autozone suggested it may be a short. I check the wires and fuses. I'm afraid I'm going to take her to the dealer.
Hopefully it's not the multifunction switch or the headlight relay. The switch and stalk is expensive, so with diagnosis and labor it will be $$$. Galaxy Nexus ? 2
I took it to the dealer and paid them a $100 to look at it. They determined that all of my lights went bad at the same time. I had to pay another $60 in parts. The only good thing is I have a 1 year warranty on the parts. I'm afraid these bulbs won't last. iPad Mini ? HD
I realize this is a posting from many years ago but I was hoping someone would maybe be able to help me with my 2010 Prius. All of a sudden last night while driving home I realized I couldn’t see infront of my car while driving because the lights were so dim. So once I looked at my lights it looks like only the parking lights are working on both sides of my headlights. Can someone please advise me as to what to do? Now that I’m typing this I am thinking about the fact that my lights seemed really dim always. Was this a sign that the lights were burning out slowing and do they go out the same time like that usually? Thank you in advance for any help you can give me with my 2010 Prius.
