# 2005 Prius headlight issue **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 21, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441 "2021-12-21T22:57:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441/1 "2021-12-21T22:57:31Z")
I’ve noticed something the last week or so. The right headlight on my 2005 Prius sometimes goes out. Originally, I thought it had burned out; but then I noticed it was back on. In that case, you’d think there was a loose connection; but if I turn the headlights off and then turn them on again, the faulty headlight comes back on. That would seem to indicate it’s not a loose connection. So what gives? Is this some sort of ‘failing soon’ mode, warning me to replace my lamps? Or is it something else? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441/2 "2021-12-21T23:13:53Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > turn the headlights off and then turn them on again How long do you leave them off when you do this? I’ve seen sketchy, worn, or dirty connectors that would disconnect when hot but reconnect when cooled. If “off” is long enough to dissipate some heat, it might be that. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441/3 "2021-12-22T00:13:19Z")
This is a typical failure mode for high intensity discharge headlights. They will strike, and then go out later, and usually stay on if they are turning off and on again. Time to replace them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441/4 "2021-12-22T03:27:47Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > How long do you leave them off when you do this? Off, then on. > [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > This is a typical failure mode for high intensity discharge headlights… > > Time to replace them. That’s what I suspected/hoped. Replacing lamps is cheaper than tracking down an electrical fault. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441/5 "2021-12-22T18:48:50Z")
I was just about to order new headlamps from the local auto parts store, but thought I’d better make sure I just had to undo the socket like on the tail lights. The first link on the top of the page was a video. I noticed it ran 26 minutes. Uh-oh. The first thing it said is ‘We’re going to remove that wheel because we need to remove that inner fender liner…’ I called the Toyota store, and I’ll have them do it.