6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008) Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.

Headlight issues.

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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 02:25 PM
  #1  
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Headlight issues.

Was driving home last night and noticed my driver side headlight is out. I have the non-HID headlights. I did a quick look a noticed it seems like you have to remove the air filter assembly to get access to it. I also noticed that toward my drive back from Nevada last week my high beams didn't seem to work. I also hear this loud clicking noise when I switch from hi to low beam under the hood. Ballast issue? Any idees? Has anyone changed the bulb? Any help is appreciated!
Old Mar 23, 2006 | 02:31 PM
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first, i dont think you have any ballasts, cause you don t have hids, second the clicking noise might be coming from the trap door that slides up to let all the light shine thru the projector....
Old Mar 23, 2006 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by NIKV69
Was driving home last night and noticed my driver side headlight is out. I have the non-HID headlights. I did a quick look a noticed it seems like you have to remove the air filter assembly to get access to it. I also noticed that toward my drive back from Nevada last week my high beams didn't seem to work. I also hear this loud clicking noise when I switch from hi to low beam under the hood. Ballast issue? Any idees? Has anyone changed the bulb? Any help is appreciated!
I have HID's and I hear the loud clunking noise when I switch between high and low beams, its a normal sound.
Old Mar 23, 2006 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Killah Kane
I have HID's and I hear the loud clunking noise when I switch between high and low beams, its a normal sound.
ITS THE TRAP DOOR!, OR BETTER KNOW AS
-XENON HIDs, (bi-xenon)wich it should be the same thing with non xenon cause you still have only one projector.
Old Mar 23, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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Thanks guys!

Leads me to believe it's just the bulb. I may do it myself. Just got this letter from Nissan though about the rear sub frame and may have it done at the dealer.

Thanks again for the info, I always know I can trust the this site!
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 06:31 AM
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New to the board and I'm cosidering buying a Max in the early summer (sucks buying a new car in New England in the winter/early spring). Question - What is the difference between the SL HID lamps and SE headlights ? Can you upgrade ?
Reags
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 06:37 AM
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The SE comes standard with Xenon I believe. Mine are not HID and are fine. I will never upgrade to HID unless I get a car that has them standard. Its just headlights, lol.
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by SREAVIS007
The SE comes standard with Xenon I believe. Mine are not HID and are fine. I will never upgrade to HID unless I get a car that has them standard. Its just headlights, lol.
SL comes standard with HID. It's an option for the SE. And they are both the same. No difference whether you have a SL or SE.
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by NIKV69
Thanks guys!

Leads me to believe it's just the bulb. I may do it myself. Just got this letter from Nissan though about the rear sub frame and may have it done at the dealer.

Thanks again for the info, I always know I can trust the this site!
3 year/36K miles, free bulb and labor.
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by RHMax
3 year/36K miles, free bulb and labor.
Do you honestly think headlights are covered under warranty???? Yah I suppose oil changes, tires, air filter, clutch and brake pads are covered too!!!

Dealership will charge for it.
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 05:00 PM
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No, I believe RH is correct, headlamps and fogs are 3/36.......but I could be wrong
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by dla
Do you honestly think headlights are covered under warranty???? Yah I suppose oil changes, tires, air filter, clutch and brake pads are covered too!!!

Dealership will charge for it.

All the items you listed are concidered "wear" items. Lightbulbs are not "wear" items and are covered under the bumper to bumper warranty. I've had DRL's replaced by the dealership who had to take off the bumper to get at them. Cost to me $0.

CM.
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 06:07 PM
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Thanks for all the advice guys! I was in Pep Boys today, I looked in the Slyvania catalogue and they only listed a bulb for the Altima. Under Maxima they only listed the HID bulb and not the Halogen. What gives? I want to replace these on Monday. Can I install those blue (fake HIDs) If so what part # do I need for my 05' SE?
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 06:09 PM
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If its under warranty you get it fixed free at the dealer.

Otherwise you need a 9012 bulb. It is a specialty bulb.
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 07:30 PM
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It is a specialty bulb.
Does this mean I can't get it at a regular parts store?
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 04:20 AM
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Likely not. They are about $30 each.

Is there a reason you won't go to the dealer to get it replaced?
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by CanadianMoFo
All the items you listed are concidered "wear" items. Lightbulbs are not "wear" items and are covered under the bumper to bumper warranty. I've had DRL's replaced by the dealership who had to take off the bumper to get at them. Cost to me $0.

CM.
Maybe in Canada, my (U.S.) dealer said that all bulbs are wear items and wouldn't touch my bulbs unless I paid parts and labor! I'm going to call them on that though. I hope **** is right. Monday a call to 1-800-NISSAN-1.
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:25 AM
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Son of a B. I've been in a couple times for their shoddy OEM bulbs. The DRL's in Canada keep burning out. The last time I was in they replaced them with aftermarket long life bulbs so they wouldn't have to replace them another time.


Shizzle...just read my owners manual...says bulbs are covered for 12 mos or 20,000kms (16,000 miles??). Hope you are under that.
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 10:54 AM
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U.S. vehicles don't have the DRL's, and I'm ok with that. For me I'm at 15 mos and counting. Maybe that's the reason the dealer wanted P&L.
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by CanadianMoFo
Likely not. They are about $30 each.

Is there a reason you won't go to the dealer to get it replaced?
Yes, I have 37,000 miles on my car so the warranty is over and would like to replace it myself.

There has to be a bulb out there somewhere for my car I would hope!
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 08:04 PM
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Absolutely, a 9012 bulb. Ebay has some on there. Or you can get some ordered in at your local auto parts dealer. Due to their relative obscurity and high cost they are not usually a stock item.

CM
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by dla
Do you honestly think headlights are covered under warranty???? Yah I suppose oil changes, tires, air filter, clutch and brake pads are covered too!!!

Dealership will charge for it.
Yes headlights are covered under your 3/36 mile warranty.................
Old Mar 26, 2006 | 04:02 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by CanadianMoFo
Absolutely, a 9012 bulb. Ebay has some on there. Or you can get some ordered in at your local auto parts dealer. Due to their relative obscurity and high cost they are not usually a stock item.

CM
Arrrg, all this BS to fix a damn headlight. I wanted to do it tomorrow, may go to the dealer to pick one up. What a drag.
Old Mar 27, 2006 | 09:41 AM
  #24  
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you can modify a 9006 bulb to fit all you have to do is cut a tiny peice of plastic. very simple. and saves you alot of money.
Old Mar 27, 2006 | 10:02 AM
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Sure and reduces your light output dramatically. And the two sides won't match now. One side will be noticeably dimmer than the other. Spend the extra $20 to do it right. Your OEM bulbs and headlights were designed to have the best light output next to HID. Don't compromise your safety to save $20, that's a terrible suggestion.

CM
Old Mar 27, 2006 | 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by CanadianMoFo
Sure and reduces your light output dramatically. And the two sides won't match now. One side will be noticeably dimmer than the other. Spend the extra $20 to do it right. Your OEM bulbs and headlights were designed to have the best light output next to HID. Don't compromise your safety to save $20, that's a terrible suggestion.

CM
I concur with ****!

I had non-hid 3.5SE follow me on my street once and I couldnt understand why her lights didnt have the blueish glare mine did. Until we both stopped at Tim Hortons and I asked her if her car came with those bulbs or if they were after market bulbs. She looks at me as if I had two heads, then i noticed she had cloth interior and in Canada cloth = no HID.

But damn for a plain non-hid bulb the 9012 are friggin BRIGHT!! Stick to stock, dont risk your lighoutput. By saving $30 you cheapen a $30,000 car.

Good Luck,

Kam
Old Mar 27, 2006 | 01:58 PM
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Arrrrrgg! It just gets worse. Went to the dealer and he gave me the wrong bulb. Partly my fault for not checking but you would think they would be able to do their damn job.

Will be back tomorrow to get the right one, too late to go back now. I am not going to use a 9006 bulb. It doesn't put out the same light but I thank everyone for their help.
Old Mar 28, 2006 | 04:37 PM
  #28  
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Issue has been resolved. I had to make the return trip to the dealer to get the right bulb. Damn thing costs $50! As stated I have 37,000 miles so warranty is gone. I just got done putting it in. Not a big deal, have to remove the air cleaner assembly and it's right there. I would like to thank all of you especially CanadianMoFo for your help.
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