HID headlight problem...

robdhillon · 04-21-2022, 01:50 PM

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum and nice to be here. looking for some assistance regarding headlights. I have a 2009 370Z Base trim level. One headlight recently stopped working and Nissan is telling me its the ballast unit in the HID type headlight. They want $1500 to replace both lights!

Is it easy to just replace the ballast? Should I just switch out both to LED? Are there specific products online you guys would recommend?

Looking forward to spring driving soon up here in Kingston, ON, Canada. Still had snow overnight this week.

Rob

cv129 · 04-21-2022, 03:54 PM

For headlight, I wouldn’t blindly put LED in a projector housing (or any housing really) without seeing or conducting proper light cutoff test. The exact location the light emitting element in relation to the reflecting element inside the projector/reflector makes a huge difference. Stick with HID if you are not familiar with lighting.

When time comes to change bulb, HID bulbs like Osram Cool Blue Intense (CBI and CBN) and Osram Nightbreaker Laser (XNL) and Philips White Vision (WHV) are a few good choices among current offerings.

Yes you can change the ballast. OEM should be 35w ballast. Swap your bulb from side to side to confirm whether it’s the ballast, bulb, or both. I’ve never done this on my car, I’m sure there are plenty of YouTube videos on this.

Stealership strikes again. They are so used to dealing with Sentras and Altimas, seeing a 370z is like seeing $ sign, open season to slaughter lol.

Tractionless · 04-22-2022, 10:28 AM

There's a plug and play LED upgrade designed for the Z; however, I'm not at my notes right now for the link.

MarkRT · 05-06-2022, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cv129

For headlight, I wouldn’t blindly put LED in a projector housing (or any housing really) without seeing or conducting proper light cutoff test. The exact location the light emitting element in relation to the reflecting element inside the projector/reflector makes a huge difference. Stick with HID if you are not familiar with lighting.

When time comes to change bulb, HID bulbs like Osram Cool Blue Intense (CBI and CBN) and Osram Nightbreaker Laser (XNL) and Philips White Vision (WHV) are a few good choices among current offerings.

Yes you can change the ballast. OEM should be 35w ballast. Swap your bulb from side to side to confirm whether it’s the ballast, bulb, or both. I’ve never done this on my car, I’m sure there are plenty of YouTube videos on this.

Stealership strikes again. They are so used to dealing with Sentras and Altimas, seeing a 370z is like seeing $ sign, open season to slaughter lol.

Ok, I will pass this info to a friend as the dealership wants an arm and a leg for the headlight replacement on his new Z. The suspension and headache racks for his truck arrived early so we can start modding his Z next week.

04-21-2022, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
robdhillon Base Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Canada Posts: 1 Drives: 2009 370Z Base Rep Power: 3	HID headlight problem... Hi Everyone, New to the forum and nice to be here. looking for some assistance regarding headlights. I have a 2009 370Z Base trim level. One headlight recently stopped working and Nissan is telling me its the ballast unit in the HID type headlight. They want $1500 to replace both lights! Is it easy to just replace the ballast? Should I just switch out both to LED? Are there specific products online you guys would recommend? Looking forward to spring driving soon up here in Kingston, ON, Canada. Still had snow overnight this week. Rob

04-21-2022, 03:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,191 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 159827	For headlight, I wouldn’t blindly put LED in a projector housing (or any housing really) without seeing or conducting proper light cutoff test. The exact location the light emitting element in relation to the reflecting element inside the projector/reflector makes a huge difference. Stick with HID if you are not familiar with lighting. When time comes to change bulb, HID bulbs like Osram Cool Blue Intense (CBI and CBN) and Osram Nightbreaker Laser (XNL) and Philips White Vision (WHV) are a few good choices among current offerings. Yes you can change the ballast. OEM should be 35w ballast. Swap your bulb from side to side to confirm whether it’s the ballast, bulb, or both. I’ve never done this on my car, I’m sure there are plenty of YouTube videos on this. Stealership strikes again. They are so used to dealing with Sentras and Altimas, seeing a 370z is like seeing $ sign, open season to slaughter lol. Optimiser and MarkRT like this. __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield Last edited by cv129; 04-21-2022 at 03:56 PM.

04-22-2022, 10:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tractionless A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Atlantic SE Posts: 1,237 Drives: '10 K23 ST 7AT Rep Power: 30525	There's a plug and play LED upgrade designed for the Z; however, I'm not at my notes right now for the link. Optimiser likes this. __________________ Toys Not Tots

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