Burnt Headlights - Prius 3Rd Gen

tinyman · August 3, 2015

I've been using this car for about 20 months now. when I got it it has done 56k and now 85k. during this period of time, I had to replace the low beam light several times, almost 8 - 10 bulbs I've replaced during the period. When I spoke to the previous user, who is a colleague at my work place, he also mentioned the same issue. Since the problem is known I had one spare bulb in the car

this weekend, when I was travelling to Kandy, left side bulb went off, Upon reaching the destination I changed it. However when I stared the car last nyt to come back, the right side low beam gone off.

Any good electricians who can attend to this.

PN : My car developed a HV battery issue for last 6000km,

I tried some diagnostics without changing the battery, nothing worked out well. last week I got a battery service done at Dilly's super in Panadura, where they cleared much of the oxidation from the bus bars. I've the pictures to post, but the capacity restrictions doesn't allows me to do so. During the trip to Kandy,the car did about 10% - 20% good on fuel. However I'm yet to confirm whether the HV problem is fully resolved or not.

Edited August 3, 2015 by tinyman

peugeot407 · August 3, 2015

What is the brand of bulbs you use.Most of the bulbs available in the market are cheap Chinese crap which want last.

tinyman · August 3, 2015

I was using the genuine Toyota bulbs still the last time, when it got burnt, I got a pair of GE bulb replaced. I don't see any difference between the brand, even if it is brand new the result was same..

Davy · August 3, 2015

1. Are you using the correct bulbs recommended for your car? If you are not sure, check what the recommended bulb is and try using the correct one. The previous owner might have replaced it with the wrong bulb.

2. Did you avoid touching the glass surface of the bulb when you installed it? Touching the glass surface of a halogen bulb can shorten it's lifespan because the protein and fat on your skin will be deposited on the bulb which will cause "weak spots" and therefore premature failure.

3. Do think your headlight has a leak that might cause water to drop onto the bulb in any way?

If you're certain that you need not worry about the above points, then it could be due to a fault in your headlight circuit supplying a higher voltage to the bulbs. Testing this is pretty easy. Any electrician will be able to hook up their multimeter to the bulb socket and check if the bulbs are being supplied the correct voltage. I'm guessing it's this because you said that the bulbs on both headlights failed alternatively.

NRX · August 3, 2015

Could it be an alternator issue ? like overcharging ?

tinyman · August 3, 2015

1. Are you using the correct bulbs recommended for your car? If you are not sure, check what the recommended bulb is and try using the correct one. The previous owner might have replaced it with the wrong bulb.
2. Did you avoid touching the glass surface of the bulb when you installed it? Touching the glass surface of a halogen bulb can shorten it's lifespan because the protein and fat on your skin will be deposited on the bulb which will cause "weak spots" and therefore premature failure.

3. Do think your headlight has a leak that might cause water to drop onto the bulb in any way?

If you're certain that you need not worry about the above points, then it could be due to a fault in your headlight circuit supplying a higher voltage to the bulbs. Testing this is pretty easy. Any electrician will be able to hook up their multimeter to the bulb socket and check if the bulbs are being supplied the correct voltage. I'm guessing it's this because you said that the bulbs on both headlights failed alternatively.

Bulbs were installed at TL and on the last instance it was at a shop near Moors ground. So i assume a certain degree of professionalium in handling the bulbs. I don't see any leaks causing the issue. With regard to the bulb model I don't have a clear idea. I just went with what TL replaced for my last purchase and chose a replacement bulb with the same adaptor (HB11 or something)

Any known electricians in the Union Place, borella area who can attend to this.

Davy · August 3, 2015

Bulbs were installed at TL and on the last instance it was at a shop near Moors ground. So i assume a certain degree of professionalium in handling the bulbs. I don't see any leaks causing the issue. With regard to the bulb model I don't have a clear idea. I just went with what TL replaced for my last purchase and chose a replacement bulb with the same adaptor (HB11 or something)
Any known electricians in the Union Place, borella area who can attend to this.

If this is the case, then we can safely assume the model of the bulb is alright and that they would have taken precautionary measures to avoid damaging the bulb while installing. The car's headlight circuit needs to be checked.

Magnum · August 3, 2015

Does you car have halogen or HID for low beam?

Edited August 3, 2015 by Magnum

tinyman · August 3, 2015

Does you car have halogen or HID for low beam?

No HID, those are Helogen bulbs.

tinyman · August 3, 2015

Just found out, the bulbs I had were GE Megalight Ultra +120 H11

Rumesh88 · August 3, 2015

Just found out, the bulbs I had were GE Megalight Ultra +120 H11

Halogens are sensitive to both over voltage and under voltage operation. Did you notice any black or white color deposits on the bulb envelope? It is very unusual that you had to replace the bulbs a few times within a matter of last 20 months (use of months instead of years seems to be a new trend ).