How to Change the HID Headlights on a 2007 Prius
Plan to spend 4 hours to complete the job -- between gathering the tools and cleaning up/putting everything back where you found., Get the Prius HID headlights online., Get the tools for the job., Raise the front of the car by driving the car on top...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Plan to spend 4 hours to complete the job -- between gathering the tools and cleaning up/putting everything back where you found.
You might be done in about 1 hour if you are diligent, have all the tools ready and use a power drill and socket wrench).
You don't need help from anybody.
This is a very light job.
Plan to change both HID light bulbs at the same time.
If one of them failed the other will fail soon.
To change one or both bulbs is the same amount of work (it might take 10 minutes longer for both). , The higher the temperature rated the more blue the lights will be (example: 8000K is much bluer than 4300K (bright yellowish).
D4C / D4S/ D4R HID Bulbs Pair Heliolite Xenon 4300K Factory D4R HID replacement bulb 8000K 8500K D4R D4S HID Light Bulbs Toyota Prius Avalon.
The D4C HID bulbs use the highest quality GE burner made in Hungary which will produce a super bright and sky blue color to replace your stock yellowish 4300K HID bulbs. , The WD-40 is to loosen screws, the combination wrench is 10 mm; If you have them, use a 10 mm socket wrench and a ratchet (both not shown in the picture) as they will make the job quicker., You could use other means like lifting with a jack and putting books under the front wheels.
Make sure to lock the rear wheels to prevent the car from moving
-- lock the rear wheels on both sides (front and back).
You have to lie down under the front bumper of the car.
Make sure the car is stable and is not going to move., It makes things easier when putting everything back together., These are not regular screws, they are clips.
Use a screwdriver on their side and pliers to remove them.
Remove a total of 6 plastic clips and the black piece of plastic comes off., Remove 3 plastic clips and 2 screws.
These two screws are protected by rubber.
It is easier if you remove the rubber ring (by hand) and use pliers to remove the screws.
Using a screwdriver to remove the screw might damage the screw if the screw is stuck., It is the part shown in the middle of the picture., Total of 7 screws.,,, Remove the screw with a screwdriver or socket wrench., A total of 6 screws and and 3 clip "screws" (plastic)., Put a cardboard box under the bumper to hold it in place when it falls.
Pull out the bumper by forcing out the plastic bumper from the pins where it is secured.
When the bumper comes out, disconnect the fog light cables.
Put the bumper away.
The bumper is just around 8 lb in weight., Remove them., No need to mark them for they are all different and only fit if they are in the correct place.,, This is the finned plastic part on the headlight assembly.
It has a very sticky O-ring to keep out moisture and may be very reluctant to turn.
Notice the markings for lock and unlock directions.
A small punch and hammer was helpful to loosen it initially and then continue the remaining small amount of rotation by hand., Notice the "lock" arrow and twist the opposite direction before pulling up on the silver holder., You are not supposed to touch the HID headlights because dirt or grease might make some regions of the glass overheat when in operation, decreasing the life of the HID bulb.
See picture of original Prius (left) and OEM substitution bulb (right), Install the new bulb.
Close the assembly, making sure that the black cover fits well and the rubber seal is well positioned.
This rubber seal prevents moisture from destroying the HID bulb inside., Before screwing the headlight assembly to the car make sure to test all the functions: low beam, high beam, and turn signal lights.
The picture shows a comparison of intensity and color of the new light left, in the picture, with the old original Prius light.
If not clear from the picture, the new light is stronger and more blue.,, Test low/high beam and turn signals.
Proceed if everything is working well.,, Test all the lights again., (You know how easy it is to deplete the Prius 12 V battery.), You might have to nudge with your hand to get it into place.
See figure.
Align the screw holders under the bumper with the bumper.,, If the plastic clip is loose now, press its wings with pliers (see picture).,,, See figure for correct position (front vs. back).
Align the black part to the screw holder and place the 9 screws.
The 5 coarse screws are in the front near the bumper and the 4 fine screws are in the back far from the bumper.,, -
Step 2: Get the Prius HID headlights online.
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Step 3: Get the tools for the job.
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Step 4: Raise the front of the car by driving the car on top of 2–5 inch (5.1–12.7 cm) thick plywood or similar wood.
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Step 5: Get six cups to put the screws of the different parts removed from the car.
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Step 6: Remove the black plastic cover on top of the bumper/radiator.
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Step 7: Begin removing the bumper of the car.
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Step 8: Lie down under the bumper and remove a plastic protector held by 9 screws.
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Step 9: Remove the bumper protector (narrow black part under the bumper).
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Step 10: Bottom sides of the bumper: Remove screw right in front of both wheels (total two screws
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Step 11: one in each side of the car).
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Step 12: Remove clip on top of front wheels (positioned at about 2 o'clock position).
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Step 13: Partially pull out the wheel guard with your hands with help of a screwdriver and access the bumper screw hidden under it.
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Step 14: At this point you should have all the bumper screws removed.
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Step 15: It is time to pull out the bumper.
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Step 16: Each headlight assembly (the eyes of the car) is hold by 3 screws (on top
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Step 17: inside and outside).
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Step 18: Remove the cables that feed the headlight assembly.
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Step 19: Take the headlight assembly to a clean table to change the HID light bulbs.
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Step 20: Remove the round black back of headlight bulbs.
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Step 21: Remove HID bulb holder.
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Step 22: Put clean gloves on.
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Step 23: Remove the old bulb; observe that the HID bulb fits only in the right orientation -- see grooves in its base.
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Step 24: Go back to the car
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Step 25: reconnect all the cables.
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Step 26: Replace the HID light from the other side of the car
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Step 27: Test both new headlights together.
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Step 28: Screw down the headlight assemblies (3 screws for each).
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Step 29: Put the bumper back near its final location and reconnect the fog lights.
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Step 30: If you are not in a closed garage on a cold night you might want to run the car engine for 10 minutes to make sure you recharge the batteries.
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Step 31: Put the bumper back into position.
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Step 32: Place the screws that fix the bumper located on top of the front wheel (behind the plastic protection).
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Step 33: Replace the plastic protection on top of the wheel.
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Step 34: Replace the narrow black part under the bumper (7 screws).
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Step 35: Replace the bumper screws on the right and left under the car.
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Step 36: Place big black bumper/engine protector.
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Step 37: On top of the bumper
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Step 38: place the 3 plastic screw clippers and the two screws with rubber bumpers.
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Step 39: Replace the plastic guard on top of the radiator/bumper.
Detailed Guide
You might be done in about 1 hour if you are diligent, have all the tools ready and use a power drill and socket wrench).
You don't need help from anybody.
This is a very light job.
Plan to change both HID light bulbs at the same time.
If one of them failed the other will fail soon.
To change one or both bulbs is the same amount of work (it might take 10 minutes longer for both). , The higher the temperature rated the more blue the lights will be (example: 8000K is much bluer than 4300K (bright yellowish).
D4C / D4S/ D4R HID Bulbs Pair Heliolite Xenon 4300K Factory D4R HID replacement bulb 8000K 8500K D4R D4S HID Light Bulbs Toyota Prius Avalon.
The D4C HID bulbs use the highest quality GE burner made in Hungary which will produce a super bright and sky blue color to replace your stock yellowish 4300K HID bulbs. , The WD-40 is to loosen screws, the combination wrench is 10 mm; If you have them, use a 10 mm socket wrench and a ratchet (both not shown in the picture) as they will make the job quicker., You could use other means like lifting with a jack and putting books under the front wheels.
Make sure to lock the rear wheels to prevent the car from moving
-- lock the rear wheels on both sides (front and back).
You have to lie down under the front bumper of the car.
Make sure the car is stable and is not going to move., It makes things easier when putting everything back together., These are not regular screws, they are clips.
Use a screwdriver on their side and pliers to remove them.
Remove a total of 6 plastic clips and the black piece of plastic comes off., Remove 3 plastic clips and 2 screws.
These two screws are protected by rubber.
It is easier if you remove the rubber ring (by hand) and use pliers to remove the screws.
Using a screwdriver to remove the screw might damage the screw if the screw is stuck., It is the part shown in the middle of the picture., Total of 7 screws.,,, Remove the screw with a screwdriver or socket wrench., A total of 6 screws and and 3 clip "screws" (plastic)., Put a cardboard box under the bumper to hold it in place when it falls.
Pull out the bumper by forcing out the plastic bumper from the pins where it is secured.
When the bumper comes out, disconnect the fog light cables.
Put the bumper away.
The bumper is just around 8 lb in weight., Remove them., No need to mark them for they are all different and only fit if they are in the correct place.,, This is the finned plastic part on the headlight assembly.
It has a very sticky O-ring to keep out moisture and may be very reluctant to turn.
Notice the markings for lock and unlock directions.
A small punch and hammer was helpful to loosen it initially and then continue the remaining small amount of rotation by hand., Notice the "lock" arrow and twist the opposite direction before pulling up on the silver holder., You are not supposed to touch the HID headlights because dirt or grease might make some regions of the glass overheat when in operation, decreasing the life of the HID bulb.
See picture of original Prius (left) and OEM substitution bulb (right), Install the new bulb.
Close the assembly, making sure that the black cover fits well and the rubber seal is well positioned.
This rubber seal prevents moisture from destroying the HID bulb inside., Before screwing the headlight assembly to the car make sure to test all the functions: low beam, high beam, and turn signal lights.
The picture shows a comparison of intensity and color of the new light left, in the picture, with the old original Prius light.
If not clear from the picture, the new light is stronger and more blue.,, Test low/high beam and turn signals.
Proceed if everything is working well.,, Test all the lights again., (You know how easy it is to deplete the Prius 12 V battery.), You might have to nudge with your hand to get it into place.
See figure.
Align the screw holders under the bumper with the bumper.,, If the plastic clip is loose now, press its wings with pliers (see picture).,,, See figure for correct position (front vs. back).
Align the black part to the screw holder and place the 9 screws.
The 5 coarse screws are in the front near the bumper and the 4 fine screws are in the back far from the bumper.,,
About the Author
Sarah Gutierrez
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow creative arts tutorials.
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