Hey fellas,
I've had my '09 about 8 months now. Last week my right headlight stopped coming on. I replaced the bulb, and nothing. The fuse is good. Ended up ordering an "OEM" ballast and ignitor from ebay. It worked for just under 25 miles and hasn't come on since!
Is it probable that I just got a bad ballast/ignitor, or is there something that is killing the ballast? Any common wiring or other issues to look out for?
. This is my first time owning HID's. I'm good with a multimeter if anyone has anything in particular to look for.
. Thanks for any advice!
Johnny

 

If you know how to read wiring diagrams along with using a multimeter Section EXL of this manual should help you out.
The circuit diagram is on page EXL51, looks simple enough.
Make sure you are getting 12VDC at pin 1 and ground at pin 2. You can compare you readings on the good side with the bad side. That may also help you out.
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Maxima/2009/

 

Man! Great resource! Couldn't get EXL to open on my phone, but I'll look at it on the computer later.
I was getting battery voltage out of the fuse, so if it is wiring, it's "forward" of the fuse.
Is there anything known to blow out ballasts provided wiring checks are ok?
Secondly, is the halogen connector the same as the one going into the HID ballast? If it comes down to it, may just convert to halogens. A pair of assemblies are cheaper than a pair of HID bulbs!

 

I don't have much knowledge of HID systems but I would not think that you are blowing ballasts. Must be some easy way to check a ballast with a multitimeter. Again compare a good one with one you think is faulty. You a have a good circuit and HID/ ballast on one side of the car you can compare to see if they measure the same resistance. Maybe swap them out?

 

I never changed bulb/ballasts on my Max. If they are fairly easy to switch out I would switch the two sides and see if the problem moves with the Bulb/Ballast.