While I am driving my left headlight keeps turning off and to turn it back on I just have to flip the lights off then on again. I have a 2005 Prius with 160k miles so no warrenty and I am not covered under the class action lawsuit for 2006-2009 Prius. Can someone help fill me in on what part of my car is potentially broken and whether it is a feasible DIY project or not. Thanks in advance.
If you have HID headlights, that is the normal failure mode, install a new bulb. Philips D2R Xenon HID Headlight Bulb,Pack of 1 : Amazon.com : Automotive Here is a guide (2004 and 2005 have D2R bulbs, 2006 to 2009 have D4R Bulbs, that is why you are not covered) Someone with small hands has quite an advantage:
If you've replaced them w/genuine quality D2R bulbs, then it's possible there's a ballast, wiring or other electrical problem. You should be glad that your lights lasted as long as they did. I noted how long my D4Rs (used in 06-09 Priuses) lasted at 04-05 (NOT 06-09) Prius owners w/HIDs - how long did they last? | PriusChat.
I have only bought 2 headlights since I bought the car. Both from the dealership, I also had them installed by Toyota mechanics. Just wondering if any other 2005 owners have experienced this problem and what exactly it is.
You could swap the lights between the two sides to figure out if it's the bulb or the ballast/wiring for that side. When did you last have the bulbs replaced? Which side or both? Are you using your lights at daytime running lights? Are you cycling them (turning them on/off) unnecessarily?
This happened to my 08 I was about to fix it when I totalled the car due to some old lady running a red light. For me the whole driver side headlamp system had to be replaced. I had to constantly look at my cars reflection in other cars and buildings to verify my light was still on.
I only use my car at night and I turn my headlights off during the day, I just replaced the left headlight less than 1 month ago and the right bulb was replaced a few years ago. Unless I was sold a faulty bulb that could magically turn off and on, then I doubt the bulb is broken.
I've got a similar problem with my 2007 (140,000 miles) - only the right HID light don't work at all. It had quit suddenly this time. Other times you could cycle the lights and it would come back on. I figured I'd install a new bulb. Bought a Philips D4R, and installed it, turned the lights on - NOTHING. Ok, bad new bulb. Bought another - NOTHING. I checked the fuses on the fuse bank, and they all seems good. How do you troubleshoot the rest of the system? Ballast?
