Changing Headlights Qs

[rob virgo]

I have fallin foul of the avensis ******* bulb holder issue.i have two broken h/lites and mister t wants over e500 for the parts less fitting.

Looking at it it looks like the bumper has to come off.has anyone done this and if so any pics online.

cheers

rob

[Chris Dance]

If your car is under warranty or extended warranty headlights should be changed on the warranty. It is a known fault and I suggest you contact Toyota customer care and ask them to sort it. From what I can gather it is very much on your dealer decision if your car is out of warranty. I know of one dealer who changed them and another who would not do the job unless paid.

Yes as far as I understand it is best to remove the front bumper.

[rob virgo]

chris ,

cheers,is there anyone one on this forum who would have a soft copy of the workshop manual.other owners site im joined have them for members.

cheers

rob

[Chris Dance]

Rob, Just heard yesterday that the lady who was charged for headlights changed by her dealer got the full cost of them refunded by Toyota UK. She wrote a letter to the company. By the way her car was out of warranty. Hope this helps you.

[AvensisPT]

Hi Rob.

I had the same problem and they wanted to put it on me, but i made a complaint and then they said the it was a known problem and fix it under warranty (both headlights).

Early avensis had plastic headlight holder the new ones are metal.

[rob virgo]

Hi Rob.

I had the same problem and they wanted to put it on me, but i made a complaint and then they said the it was a known problem and fix it under warranty (both headlights).

Early avensis had plastic headlight holder the new ones are metal.

cheers everyone ,

My avensis t spiriti s under three years but over 60k so the call will be with toyota i presume.I have lodged a request with toyota Ireland.

cheers

rob

[curlyscub]

hiya , i have just replaced both headlights on my 03 avensis at a cost of £90 , eBay is such a great tool, mr t wanted £375, my car was just out of warranty and he say no, it is easy to replace the headlights, lift bonnet, remove the plastic cowling above the grill, you will then see the upper bolts that hold on the bumper, remove these then get under the car,remove the splash guard at the front of the car , at both sides there is two screws, remove these and one at the bottom in the middle, if you now go back to the top of the car and gently pull the bumper at both sides gently (best to have a mate at this point), the bumper will come away easily,set to the side carefully, you will now see that the headlight is held in with two bolts and two clips remove these and pull the headlight slightly forward now remove the cables ,simple, now reverse the process

[uumode]

Just had two new Halfords 'Xenon' 50% brighter bulbs fitted by Toyota dealer this morning (£24+VAT labour)

They mentioned my dim headlights could be caused by melted bulb holders moving the bulbs out of alignment, they also mentioned condensation issues which they checked for me when changing bulbs . My bulbs weren't blown I just wanted brighter bulbs! - they said verbally that Toyota had extended the warranty on the (Avensis) headlamps and was covered by a 5 year warranty (first I've heard of this) because of these known issues, anyway - so I could get away by changing bulbs at a later stage. (But I was just plain curious if the 50% brighter bulbs would make any difference in the Avensis). - the bulbs they took out were Osram.

In my case the headlamps were OK, so they just swaped in my new bulbs. They do appear a bit brighter during the day, have to see tonight for sure, on my unlit A/B road commute :) - on some stretches of road I can hardly see anything! - particulary those roads with no cats eyes and no bright white lines

[Mkuk0]

Awaiting report with great interest

[ernie]

Hi everyone,

Does this headlight issue only apply to the pre 2007 facelift model?

The dipped beam on my (07 model) 2litre d4d is not great and I have also pointed out to my Dealer

that condensation does appear on the inside lenses after use in coldish weather. I wonder though if the bulbs are replaced with brighter ones this may increase the condensation problem and affect any warranty issues.

[chrisstyles]

Just noticed tonight that on my one month old T180 i'm getting a bit of condensation in the headlights.

Does it warrant a trip to the dealer to enquire or am I goignt o et fobbed off with a lame "it's perfectly normal?"

[uumode]

Just noticed tonight that on my one month old T180 i'm getting a bit of condensation in the headlights.

Does it warrant a trip to the dealer to enquire or am I goignt o et fobbed off with a lame "it's perfectly normal?"

I'm surprised the new cars aren't fitted with the remedy new headlamp units?

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/tsb_detail.asp?fileID=547

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/tsb_detail.asp?fileID=550

[chrisstyles]

Thanks uumode,

Looks like it's what they call dew condensation then and not a failure. Strange, I've never really noticed any fogging on new cars I've owned before.

[uumode]

Thanks uumode,

Looks like it's what they call dew condensation then and not a failure. Strange, I've never really noticed any fogging on new cars I've owned before.

As your car is only 1 month old, there's no harm in asking your local dealer to see what they say

[dark andrew]

When my Civic headlamps fogged up, Honda told me that "it's just the way plastic headlamp units are" and refused to do anything about it, however I've got to give credit to Toyota - when my current Avensis did the same thing they had it in and replaced both units within 2 days. I know a lot of people have been unhappy with the faults that have been found on the Avensis but fair-play to Mr T, at least he tries to sort them unlike every other manufacturer I've bought a car from who just shrugs his shoulders and calls it a feature.

[silverarrow]

mist leads to grren moss and poor vision and mot failure

so mr t says no to replace !!!

drive with poor lights !!!!!

come on fit for purpose with a new car it should be a1

not good enough mr t

[Steve84]

Its not just toyota that have headlamps that mist up. Audi tt's do and audi dont seem botherd about changing them. Both rovers i've had misted up my old 216 and my rover 25. The rover 25 was brought brand new and was just over 15k for a full spec'd 1.6ixl and they misted up from day 1.

[dark andrew]

I've just had a look at the links to the pdfs above (BE5009_0_1.pdf), and tell me have I got this right? Toyota in their wisdom have decided to replace the lighting loom with a modified design that deliberately under-powers the bulb, and as a result produces a duller beam, to extend bulb life?

[Mkuk0]

Well thats one way round the 'I can't change my own headlight bulb' issue. make the bulb last longer than you keep the car. 2nd owner has no warranty, Mr T gets the dosh.....or am I just being cynical?

[rob virgo]

i have now spoken to my local dealer here in cork and he is submitting the claim to uk as thats where i bought the car.

let you know , fingers crossed

cheers

rob

[paulhedz]

My headlights are also very dim{non existent on a dark lane}and i have a build up of condensation in the drivers side headlight.I bought the car in august last year and the warranty ran out in sept 06 doe's antbody think i could still have my headlight unit changed.

[Chris Be]

My headlights are also very dim{non existent on a dark lane}and i have a build up of condensation in the drivers side headlight.I bought the car in august last year and the warranty ran out in sept 06 doe's antbody think i could still have my headlight unit changed.

My 53 reg T3X is out of warranty and got the dreaded internal condensation on the passenger side headlamp. I wrote to Toyota GB and got a letter back stating that because their had been issues surrounding the front headlamps involving the bulb holder and water ingress and as a result of feedback from the Toyota Centre network and customers it had been decided that as a goodwill gesture the warranty on headlamps had been increased to 5 years or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. :)

Get down to your local Toyota dealer and ask them to replace it and if they fob you off tell them you will be writing to Toyota GB.

[paulhedz]

Cheers chris but i wish i had read your post before i'd just forked out £280 today on two new headlight units and two new bulbs at £20 each from my local toyota dealer

[Chris Be]

Cheers chris but i wish i had read your post before i'd just forked out £280 today on two new headlight units and two new bulbs at £20 each from my local toyota dealer

If what you say is right and you got them from a Toyota Main Agent get back to them about it. If they wont reimburse you and do the work tell them you will be writing to Toyota GB letting them know that you have been charged for the headlamps and bulbs. The agents must be aware of the 5 year 100,000 mile extended warranty,assuming your car has not covered 100,000 miles. Let me know how you get on.

[paulhedz]

Got to take my avensis in to my local dealer on monday morning so they can check that it is a design fault,they did'nt seem to know anything about this extended warranty so i will let you know.

cheers paul.