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From: A Sherman on 3 Jan 2007 23:38
My 2005 Prius (25K miles) has package 4 with the auto-leveling HID lights.
Tonight I noticed that the lights were aimed considerably lower than usual.
Not a hazard to drive, but noticeably lower. I suspect the sensor might be
broken.

I've found some reports of this problem in Priuschat. Has anyone here had
a problem with the auto-levelers?

Al



From: mrv on 4 Jan 2007 09:24

A Sherman wrote:
> My 2005 Prius (25K miles) has package 4 with the auto-leveling HID lights.
> Tonight I noticed that the lights were aimed considerably lower than usual.
> Not a hazard to drive, but noticeably lower. I suspect the sensor might be
> broken.
>
> I've found some reports of this problem in Priuschat. Has anyone here had
> a problem with the auto-levelers?

Do realize that the HIDs will point lower if there is more weight in
the cargo area of the car.

Do realize that the headlights are adjustable, so if they are pointed a
little low, you can raise them, as instructed in the owner's manual.
Same if they are pointed a little high and you are always being flashed
by oncoming motorists.

Also realize that there is a known auto-leveling sensor problem on some
2004-2005 Prius. If you have this problem, you'll know it - the
headlights will only aim up to about 20ft in front of the car, and
you'll get a chime and the autoleveling headlights warning icon on the
MFD. (Several reports on the Prius-2G yahoogroup and on
priusonline.com ) Problem is that it is intermittant and therefore can
be difficult to get your dealer to believe you that there's a problem
(since it often doesn't store an error code and won't happen in the
dealer's possession). For more information, see:
US TSB EL004-06
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius-sat1/files/TSBs/2004%2B%20TSBs/EL004-06.zip
April 28, 2006. Automatic Headlight Leveling System Warning Light "ON"
or Flashing. 2004-2005 Prius w/HID headlights. replace rear vehicle
height control sensor with improved one.

From: A Sherman on 5 Jan 2007 08:40

<mrv(a)kluge.net> wrote ...
>
> A Sherman wrote:
>> My 2005 Prius (25K miles) has package 4 with the auto-leveling HID lights.
>> Tonight I noticed that the lights were aimed considerably lower than usual.
>> Not a hazard to drive, but noticeably lower. I suspect the sensor might be
>> broken.
>>
>> I've found some reports of this problem in Priuschat. Has anyone here had
>> a problem with the auto-levelers?
>
> Do realize that the HIDs will point lower if there is more weight in
> the cargo area of the car.
>
> Do realize that the headlights are adjustable, so if they are pointed a
> little low, you can raise them, as instructed in the owner's manual.
> Same if they are pointed a little high and you are always being flashed
> by oncoming motorists.
>
> Also realize that there is a known auto-leveling sensor problem on some
> 2004-2005 Prius. If you have this problem, you'll know it - the
> headlights will only aim up to about 20ft in front of the car, and
> you'll get a chime and the autoleveling headlights warning icon on the
> MFD. (Several reports on the Prius-2G yahoogroup and on
> priusonline.com ) Problem is that it is intermittant and therefore can
> be difficult to get your dealer to believe you that there's a problem
> (since it often doesn't store an error code and won't happen in the
> dealer's possession). For more information, see:
> US TSB EL004-06
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius-sat1/files/TSBs/2004%2B%20TSBs/EL004-06.zip
> April 28, 2006. Automatic Headlight Leveling System Warning Light "ON"
> or Flashing. 2004-2005 Prius w/HID headlights. replace rear vehicle
> height control sensor with improved one.
>

Thanks for the reply, mrv. I have not seen any error code. My headlights now
cover about 60 ft in front of the car with low beams.

I now recall that the day before I noticed the problem, I had hit a large bump
in the pavement with a couple of heavy passengers in the rear seat. I'll bet
this could have damaged the sensor.

Al


From: A Sherman on 7 Jan 2007 19:36
Very Strange!

The auto-levelers were definitely broken for 3 or 4 nights, but now they have
resumed working properly. I will have to watch them to see what happens.
Maybe a loose connection?

Al



"A Sherman" <als62(a)nospam@rcn.com> wrote in message
news:RbOdncDdEoPHyAPYnZ2dnUVZ_s2vnZ2d(a)rcn.net...
>
> <mrv(a)kluge.net> wrote ...
>>
>> A Sherman wrote:
>>> My 2005 Prius (25K miles) has package 4 with the auto-leveling HID lights.
>>> Tonight I noticed that the lights were aimed considerably lower than
>>> usual.
>>> Not a hazard to drive, but noticeably lower. I suspect the sensor might
>>> be
>>> broken.
>>>
>>> I've found some reports of this problem in Priuschat. Has anyone here had
>>> a problem with the auto-levelers?
>>
>> Do realize that the HIDs will point lower if there is more weight in
>> the cargo area of the car.
>>
>> Do realize that the headlights are adjustable, so if they are pointed a
>> little low, you can raise them, as instructed in the owner's manual.
>> Same if they are pointed a little high and you are always being flashed
>> by oncoming motorists.
>>
>> Also realize that there is a known auto-leveling sensor problem on some
>> 2004-2005 Prius. If you have this problem, you'll know it - the
>> headlights will only aim up to about 20ft in front of the car, and
>> you'll get a chime and the autoleveling headlights warning icon on the
>> MFD. (Several reports on the Prius-2G yahoogroup and on
>> priusonline.com ) Problem is that it is intermittant and therefore can
>> be difficult to get your dealer to believe you that there's a problem
>> (since it often doesn't store an error code and won't happen in the
>> dealer's possession). For more information, see:
>> US TSB EL004-06
>> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius-sat1/files/TSBs/2004%2B%20TSBs/EL004-06.zip
>> April 28, 2006. Automatic Headlight Leveling System Warning Light "ON"
>> or Flashing. 2004-2005 Prius w/HID headlights. replace rear vehicle
>> height control sensor with improved one.
>>
>
> Thanks for the reply, mrv. I have not seen any error code. My headlights
> now cover about 60 ft in front of the car with low beams.
>
> I now recall that the day before I noticed the problem, I had hit a large
> bump in the pavement with a couple of heavy passengers in the rear seat.
> I'll bet this could have damaged the sensor.
>
> Al
>
>


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