Headlight help for daughter, please

Subscribe
Aug 26, 2010 | 12:18 PM
  #1  
Hello, daughter in college was home a couple of weeks ago and I noticed that her driver's side headlight (xenon) was out. Had it replaced by local shop (too much of a pain to do myself). While I was visiting her at school the other night (three hours away) I noticed her passenger side was now out. As I looked at it it flickered in and out and then the driver's side started flickering as well. High beams and fogs seemed to work fine. It is very sporadic but obviously I don't want her driving at night until it is fixed. No Infiniti dealership in her town (closest one hour away). Has anyone had this happen and what was the issue? Can a Nissan dealership work on it? It's a 2005 G35 sedan with 37,000 miles, btw. Thanks in advance for any help.
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 12:22 PM
  #2  
check connections, and fuse.. fuse is located behind behind battery
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 12:29 PM
  #3  
Theres two round caps on the back of the headlight one on top and one on bottom where the lights sit. On the top one is a yellow grounding cord. I had the same issue takes a minute to stick your hand in and wiggle it on or if its coming loose just squeeze with your hands a little. Hopefully that helps.
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 12:36 PM
  #4  
^ What he said! It's either the ground or the Ignitor itself (the giant plug going to the bulb) is coming loose. I guess it could be the fuse too...

It really sounds like just the connection if it flickers. A Xenon bulb is either good and always works or it's burned out and will never work again: Once a Xenon bulb burns out, it will never turn back on again. Unlike Halogen bulbs, tapping the bulb will never make it work one more time. If it's not the connection, then it might be the ballast, which really doesn't cost any more than the bulbs... but it's more likely the connection.
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 12:48 PM
  #5  
Wow, thanks for the lightning fast responses. Luckily, my son is a student there with her and I'll get him to try the suggestions. Thanks again!
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 12:50 PM
  #6  
yeah sounds like a loose connection. Easy to check. If all else fails, yes Nissan dealers will gladly work on our cars (just not warranty work).
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 12:57 PM
  #7  
BTW, to access the back of the headlights, all you have to do is unbolt the bottom of the fender lining towards the front of the car. Take out enough of those plastic plugs to pull the fender lining back enough to access the back of the headlight.
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 01:02 PM
  #8  
Im having the same issue with mine. When i hit bumps my passenger side headlight will flicker off and the only way it'll come back on is if i turn them off and on back. When the lights out and i tap the headlight housing or hit it, they wont turn on so I dont think its a the ground wire but what do you guys think.
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 01:03 PM
  #9  
Quote: Im having the same issue with mine. When i hit bumps my passenger side headlight will flicker off and the only way it'll come back on is if i turn them off and on back. When the lights out and i tap the headlight housing or hit it, they wont turn on so I dont think its a the ground wire but what do you guys think.
Bad connection...
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 01:05 PM
  #10  
Thanks dofu. Guess ill pull it off at the next tech day and reconnect everything
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 02:12 PM
  #11  
I had this happen and it was just the bulbs burning out. Replaced them and never had another problem.
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 05:41 PM
  #12  
Quote: I had this happen and it was just the bulbs burning out. Replaced them and never had another problem.
prob more it was a bad connection as previously stated its just when you changed the bulbs and connected the cables etc you connected them tightly so no more flickering.
Reply 0
Aug 26, 2010 | 07:31 PM
  #13  
Quote: BTW, to access the back of the headlights, all you have to do is unbolt the bottom of the fender lining towards the front of the car. Take out enough of those plastic plugs to pull the fender lining back enough to access the back of the headlight.
Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side to access the fender lining without removing the tire
Reply 0
Aug 27, 2010 | 04:00 AM
  #14  
I wish I had a dad like you...
Reply 0
Aug 27, 2010 | 07:08 AM
  #15  
I just had 1 of my headlight replaced at an Infiniti dealership: the bulb itself was $199 (outrageous), plust labor was another $100. You can also take it to a Nissan dealer which charge a little less on labor but the bulb price is pretty similiar to the Infiniti dealer.
Reply 0