headlight shutting off...

[TheReplay]

Having a problem with my drivers side headlight, 2001 QX4 125k miles ---

I turn it on, it turns off a few seconds later...
Sometimes it will stay on until i hit a bump in the road and then shut off.
Sometimes it will flicker and then turn off...

I tried switching the bulbs, no luck. I bought a new (used) headlight switch and replaced it on the steering column.

Do you think by coincidence the used switch i replaced was also faulty? Is that very common?

Could it be the ballast? <--- when it does work i dont see any difference in dimming between the driver and passenger side.

Any other ideas?

[Towncivilian]

Check fuses and relays to begin with, I guess. The FSM can help you with locating the proper fuses and relays.

[Densetsu]

If it was a fuse, then it wouldn't work at all. Same with a relay.

I assume when you swapped the bulbs, the driver side headlight still didn't work. Did you try swapping the ballasts? My friend had a similar problem with his Ridgeline -- passenger side light would work for about 10 seconds, then go out. If he turned them off and back on, it'd light up again for five seconds, then go out. Turned out to be the ballast.

Does this happen when the car is stationary, when you're driving, or both? If it's not a ballast issue, it could be a grounding issue, although that's less likely if your light goes out when the car is just sitting in park on your driveway.

[Chuck Tribolet]

If it was a bad switch, it would affect both headlights.

HID headlights? Swap ballasts left/right.


Chuck

[TheReplay]

awesome thats why i love these forums...

Sometimes the simplest answer is right under your nose ---> ill try swapping the ballasts and see how that goes..

[asnorton44]

Mine was doing the same thing, sometimes wouldn't turn on or would turn off after a while. Turned out to be the switch on the driving column. Was about $60 to replace.

EDIT: My problem only affected driver side light, I also have 2001 QX4.