2009 EX35 with bad headlights

[dhandelsman]

Hi. I have a 2009 Infiniti EX35 and the headlights have gotten very dim. I thought it was a problem with the lenses getting cloudy and had them restored. This helped a little bit, but mostly just showed that the headlights were really dim.

I found a “headlight guy” thru some friends, and he planned to swap out the HID bulbs with new ones. He did one of the bulbs, but with very limited improvement compared to the original on the other side.

He then explained that the projectors(?) were bad, and that the whole assembly would need to be replaced. Since this car has the adaptive headlights that turn with the car, the replacement parts would be $2000 each, if they could even be found for a 2009. Plus labor. It’s a 14 year old car that won’t be getting $5000 in new headlights. He wasn’t pushing for this solution so I think it was just an explanation.

As a short term solution, he replaced the fog lamps with LEDs, which seems to be better but really not what they were designed for.

Any ideas for a long term solution where the cost is in line with a 14 year old car? I think the headlight guy seemed knowledgeable in that he talked about a similar problem with the Altimas, but those new parts weren’t so extremely expensive. And he only charged me for the fog lamp LEDs so he didn’t double dip on the HIDs he intended to replace. (He did put back the old HID)

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[z32S]

Very very rare the lens / projector would go bad... most of the time would be the headlight cover oxydizing / turning yellow due to parking under the sun overtime. There's also a chance the plastic seal in the bulb socket going bad / leaking resulting dirty / dust getting intisde the projector housing (but again very rare too). do u see the projector lens foggy / turning yellow when comparing to the good side? it's not gonna be an easy quick fix if the projector lens turning yellow / foggy. Either you replace the projector itself or a complete HL assembly (which can be easier - unless u want to replace w/ a 'much better' projector which in this case will recommend replacing both sides - u will be very impressed w/ the light output afterwards!!!)

[dhandelsman]

Thanks. I don’t have a good side to compare against. Both headlights are dim. Replacing one of the HIDs didn’t create a noticeable difference with the original on the other side still in place. The new bulb was a bit “whiter” but it wasn’t significantly brighter.

I’m far from an expert here on the headlight parts. The exterior “lens” that covers the whole assembly has been scrubbed and polished/restored. To be honest, I’m not sure what the “projector” is. I’m assuming it’s the housing into which the bulb is inserted. I certainly can’t see the HID bulb from the outside.

I did read somewhere on the forum that you can insert an alcohol-dipped brush through the HID bulb opening and swab the inside which can sometimes clear the oxidation - if that’s even the problem. I may try that but I’m skeptical, and I’ll have to go in through the wheel well for access which I’m not looking forward to.

[DHackRSX]

I've got the same AFS HIDs on my 2012 with the same issue. New bulbs help but not much. I too switched out my fogs (housings and bulbs) for LEDs and they are about the only light that I can use when driving at night.

I've got experience in retrofitting, but I don't have time to do all the work it takes.

Going in with a swab to clean off the lens sounds like a great idea although if oxidation is the issue, it'll be on the reflector bowl too. Probably not as much of a factor as on the lens though.

I've got an extra set of headlights that someone messed up the assembly outer lenses on if you would like to see the design of the projector. I can post pictures.

The challenge with swabbing will be; The projector has a cutoff shield which is what keeps you from blinding oncoming traffic. This stands as a physical barrier between your swab and the back of the projector lens.

I wonder if there is a product that we can spray there, let evaporate and then close the back of the assembly (cap) back up......

[Magpie11]

Hi, I just bought a 2009 EX37 GT ( from a dealer 260 miles away - because it was the only one I could find). It wasn’t until I arrived home that I too found the same problem of both xenon dipped beams not providing enough light output! Obviously this is a recurring issue on these - albeit not many around here in the UK which doesn’t help with spares, etc.
It doesn’t seem to make any sense replacing the bulbs in view of what’s been said ( although I have ordered some LEDs for the fog lights since they are all that enables me to drive at night right now. So if anyone can come up with a reasonably priced solution ( since replacing both headlamp units is prohibitive cost wise) I’d be very grateful.

[Magpie11]

https://ledlightstreet.com/products/201 ... ersion-kit

I’ve been trying to research this and found this which will certainly be worth exploring for USA owners I think. I’m just not sure if it applies to my car because of the differences in spec between US and UK. However it does seem to offer the solution so I just need to clarify if it’s applicable for my own car. So if those of you who are looking for a solution try this and find it works then WOW this is a major breakthrough! Let me know please!
Happy New Year!

[Magpie11]

D-Lumina D2S D2R D2C LED Headlight Bulb 70W 16000LM 6500K Bright White Xenon HID Replacement Lights Conversion Kit,High Low Beam Plug and Play to Original HID Ballat, Pack of 2 https://amzn.eu/d/7Tffq5L

Am going to try these!

[DHackRSX]

Am going to try these!

Post pics!!!

[DHackRSX]

I didn't realize there were "innexpensive" aftermarket assemblies. At this price, this may be an option for me. They have halogen, HID & HID+AFS

https://www.amazon.com/AKKON-2008-2012- ... b8daf&th=1

[bradpippin]

Hello, Has anyone found the solution to this issue? I too have the same problem. I have a 2010 EX35 w/AFS headlights that have gotten very dim over many years. I've replaced the bulbs, ballasts and cleaned the lenses. But nothing has helped. Has anyone actually replaced the projectors or the whole headlight assembly? If so, did that do the trick?