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If you have fog lights, you have HID headlights, no fog lights, you have halogen. HID and halogen are not interchangeable.

Thanks for the info!

Hi, magruder,

As far as I know, a 2004 Prius with he HID's shouldn't have a headlight issue like the 2006 & newer models. The headlight issue seems to have started with the D4R bulbs (& their controllers?) which started being used in the newer models. The 2004 & 2005 models used a D2R bulb for the HID headlights (not interchangable into the newer models for some reason). My Prius is a 2005 with 71,000 miles & I have not had any problems with my HID headlights (knock on wood). Maybe since you bought yours used, somebody in the past put the wrong bulb (and/or controller) in when the correct one simply burned out due to higher miles or longer use such as maybe using them all the time as daytime running lights.

By the way, do you have the HID's (or the halogens---which shouldnt be a problem either)?

Thanks Ken,

I do have foglights, so that must mean I have the HID lights. I'm thinking about checking the connections for looseness or corrosion. The problem I have sounds just like the 2006+ models are having. By the way, my prius has 161,000 miles on it.

Regards,
Dave

There are LOTS of 2005 models with the same problem. Mine had it, and I got it fixed by the extended warranty and Toyota goodwill.

What was the fix? Replacement of the headlights? Or was it more involved?

Thanks,
Dave

The fix is to replace the HID tubes and associated controllers. You shouldn't have a problem with your 04. The problems started with the 06 model after Toyota changed part numbers.

I appreciate all your help. What would you do if you were me though? My problem is remarkably similar to the problems being described with the 2006 model. It seems that I should just replace the bulbs and see if that fixes the problem. Although I hate to just replace parts and cross my fingers. It would be nice if there was a way to test the lights to see if they are bad.

Regards,
Dave

You can try contacting Toyota at (800) 331-4331 to see if they will pick up some of the cost based on all of the HID problems they've had and considering it is a safety issue. However, based on the mileage and age of the car, you will probably have to eat the cost. I would try replacing the tubes first. That may solve the problem. Make sure you get tubes that are for the 04. There was a different part number for the 06/09 and they are not interchangeable. By the way, changing HID tubes is not an easy task.

When you write "tubes" I assume that is the part that produces the light (I believe thats a sylvania dr2). I am by no means a good mechanic, but I enjoy a challenging repair job.

Thank you

Tube = bulb.

Great,

I would try the "switch the bulbs between left and right" trick, but it seems that sometimes the left bulb goes out first and sometimes the right bulb does. Switching the bulbs won't tell me anything.

Regards,
Dave

Sigh... no, 2005 models also had the problem.

Among other things one must never touch the glass/quartz with bare skin, true?

Agreed,

Although I don't see the necessity of removing the bumper, which I have read is what makes it so difficult. Perhaps the 2006 model has a different design than the 2004? Or perhaps the bumper removal is required to replace the controllers? It looks like the removal of a couple small parts will allow access to the bulbs.

Dave