Headlight problem

Sams370z · 08-06-2012, 06:55 PM

So a couple months ago when I first bought my 370, I noticed that my driver side headlight was out. I called the dealership and they told me 2 things; 1. they couldnt fix it since they werent a strictly nissan dealer, and 2. that the headlights werent covered by the warranty anyway. So i take it to a nissan dealer and they tell me the balast (not sure on the spelling) was out and it needed a new one. So $XXX.xx later, it is "fixed." After a couple night drives I have discovered that my "fixed" headlight shuts off after being on for 10 seconds, and that it will only stay on if i switch them off and back on again. Plus with the lights set on automatic, every little bump shuts it off again. Anybody else have this problem, or is it something that I should bring to the dealer as a possible fix or trade?

antoine1979 · 10-30-2013, 03:15 PM

i have the exact same problem. Did u ever find a solution to this problem???. My passenger side headlight goes off at exactly 10 seconds of being on. So frustrating.

Trips · 10-30-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sams370z

So a couple months ago when I first bought my 370, I noticed that my driver side headlight was out. I called the dealership and they told me 2 things; 1. they couldnt fix it since they werent a strictly nissan dealer, and 2. that the headlights werent covered by the warranty anyway. So i take it to a nissan dealer and they tell me the balast (not sure on the spelling) was out and it needed a new one. So $XXX.xx later, it is "fixed." After a couple night drives I have discovered that my "fixed" headlight shuts off after being on for 10 seconds, and that it will only stay on if i switch them off and back on again. Plus with the lights set on automatic, every little bump shuts it off again. Anybody else have this problem, or is it something that I should bring to the dealer as a possible fix or trade?

I don't know what mechanical skills you have, But if you can pull back the plastic fender liner and reach in and wiggle the headlight ballast

It might not be making a good connection and explaining why the sudden on an off problem.

Im just curious IF there wasn't another Nissan dealer you could've taken it too?

If the cars still under warranty? The light should have been covered.

1325 · 10-30-2013, 11:59 PM

Absolutely should have been covered, granted it hasn't been tampered with in the first place. I'd check the retainer latches (silver in color that keeps the bulbs in place) and ensure that they are snug.

Refer to this page for a headlamp access tutorial.

soypinoy101 · 10-31-2013, 12:32 AM

I'm having the same exact problem. The service techs at my work (Nissan) have tried making sure all connections are good but still persists in working intermittently. They are just going to replace the ballast for me. Will know by tomorrow

Wonka2581 · 10-31-2013, 12:32 AM

Did you take it to the dealer to get fixed? if so I would take it back to them and tell them to fix it again! the new ballast should be covered under warranty.

Sams370z · 11-22-2013, 08:48 AM

I brought the Z in to the dealership twice and the second time they ordered a whole new headlight. But, like a total idiot I traded her in for a 2wd ford pickup before they could install it... Now I want her back

2011 Nismo#91 · 11-22-2013, 10:58 AM

It sounds like this could be an over heating issue for the ballast.

If you can, swap the ballasts from one side to the other. If it starts happening on the other side, yes faulty ballast. If it stays on the same side then there is an over load from your factory harness or the HID bulb causing the ballast to overheat. It could be a bad bulb with a large amount of resistance causing the ballast to over heat.

I hope this helps.

paperboy42190 · 11-25-2013, 03:59 AM

it could be the igniter connection. the igniter goes between the bulb and the ballast

Elan · 11-25-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sams370z

I brought the Z in to the dealership twice and the second time they ordered a whole new headlight. But, like a total idiot I traded her in for a 2wd ford pickup before they could install it... Now I want her back

karotZ · 11-25-2013, 09:25 PM

Sub'd. My passenger side goes out too either due to sudden bumps, hard right turns or downshifting to 3rd gear.

Wonka2581 · 11-25-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sams370z

I brought the Z in to the dealership twice and the second time they ordered a whole new headlight. But, like a total idiot I traded her in for a 2wd ford pickup before they could install it... Now I want her back

08-06-2012, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sams370z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sunnyside, Washington Age: 32 Posts: 69 Drives: 2011 370z automatic Rep Power: 12	Headlight problem So a couple months ago when I first bought my 370, I noticed that my driver side headlight was out. I called the dealership and they told me 2 things; 1. they couldnt fix it since they werent a strictly nissan dealer, and 2. that the headlights werent covered by the warranty anyway. So i take it to a nissan dealer and they tell me the balast (not sure on the spelling) was out and it needed a new one. So $XXX.xx later, it is "fixed." After a couple night drives I have discovered that my "fixed" headlight shuts off after being on for 10 seconds, and that it will only stay on if i switch them off and back on again. Plus with the lights set on automatic, every little bump shuts it off again. Anybody else have this problem, or is it something that I should bring to the dealer as a possible fix or trade?

10-30-2013, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
antoine1979 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: los angeles Posts: 1 Drives: 2009 nissan 370Z Rep Power: 11	headlight problem i have the exact same problem. Did u ever find a solution to this problem???. My passenger side headlight goes off at exactly 10 seconds of being on. So frustrating.

10-31-2013, 12:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
soypinoy101 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Pittsburg, Ca Posts: 43 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 12	I'm having the same exact problem. The service techs at my work (Nissan) have tried making sure all connections are good but still persists in working intermittently. They are just going to replace the ballast for me. Will know by tomorrow __________________ F.I. TDX CBE w/18" Resonators, Injen CAI, tints, and a sound system. Slowly getting more

10-31-2013, 12:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wonka2581 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 3,083 Drives: MY WIFE CRAZY.... Rep Power: 2611	Did you take it to the dealer to get fixed? if so I would take it back to them and tell them to fix it again! the new ballast should be covered under warranty. __________________ "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat""Winston Churchill"

11-25-2013, 09:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
karotZ Track Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: not found Posts: 723 Drives: on empty tank of gas Rep Power: 15	Sub'd. My passenger side goes out too either due to sudden bumps, hard right turns or downshifting to 3rd gear. __________________ VERTEX \| SUIVAX \| AMUSE \| SSR \| SPARCO \| STILLEN \| FAST INTENTIONS x HKS \| HANKOOK \| NARDI \| NRG \| EVO-R \| ROBISPEC \| SPC

10-30-2013, 11:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
1325 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 287 Drives: 10 370Z BLK 6M Rep Power: 14	Absolutely should have been covered, granted it hasn't been tampered with in the first place. I'd check the retainer latches (silver in color that keeps the bulbs in place) and ensure that they are snug. Refer to this page for a headlamp access tutorial.

11-22-2013, 08:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sams370z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sunnyside, Washington Age: 32 Posts: 69 Drives: 2011 370z automatic Rep Power: 12	I brought the Z in to the dealership twice and the second time they ordered a whole new headlight. But, like a total idiot I traded her in for a 2wd ford pickup before they could install it... Now I want her back

11-22-2013, 10:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,385 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40569	It sounds like this could be an over heating issue for the ballast. If you can, swap the ballasts from one side to the other. If it starts happening on the other side, yes faulty ballast. If it stays on the same side then there is an over load from your factory harness or the HID bulb causing the ballast to overheat. It could be a bad bulb with a large amount of resistance causing the ballast to over heat. I hope this helps.

11-25-2013, 03:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
paperboy42190 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Alhambra, CA Posts: 193 Drives: 2007 Acura TL Type-S Rep Power: 13	it could be the igniter connection. the igniter goes between the bulb and the ballast

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