Very Strange Headlight Issue

[Kellsonm]

Hey everyone, I have an '01 QX4 that has been having a really weird headlight issue lately. About 12 months ago, the previous owner of the car got into a small accident, damaging the bumper and the quarter panel. No visible damage was done to the light housing, and the headlights worked totally fine until just recently. Lately, however, the right xenon bulb will just go out while I'm driving. If I turn the lights off and then on again, all is well. It's just the passenger side light, the other is always fine. It usually happens on rough roads or when turning right. I suspect this is a cause if the accident, but maybe I can repair the light? Anybody have ideas?
Thanks

[atraudes]

I've heard that issue before around here so I'm guessing it's not a result of the accident. Check the fuses first. If they both (I think there's one per headlight) look good, try swapping the fuses, relays, and finally ballasts between the two lights and see if the problem switches to the other headlight after each swap. When it does, you have your problem component.

[Kellsonm]

Thanks for the suggestions! Swapped the fuses and relays a few days ago, and no change. Is there good info in the fsm for swapping ballasts?

[4xq]

Have you tried swapping the bulbs? Could be a ballast, but bulbs do get old, and a sign they are failing is blinking out. See if the problem switches sides when you swap out bulbs before you do ballasts.

If I recall properly you will have to remove the center grill piece to get to the ballasts.

[asnorton44]

I had a similar issue, headlight would go in and out, slamming the hood shut usually fixed it...being a novice mechanic I hit the junk and went ahead and got a ballast and steering column switch and that didn't fix it..ended up being the bulb. Figured no way it was the bulb because it worked most of the time but that was it.

Don't buy a bulb locally shop online for better deals (if its your bulb). Ballasts aren't hard to switch as well.

[pickesc]

Had an issue on my '01 QX4. Drivers headlight would work fine but then cut off after 30secs. Didn't notice it until winter rolled around and the days were shorter. It was the ballast. Bought one from a used parts dealer online because you can't buy them separately from the headlight assembly for some unknown reason. $50 bucks, the grill is clipped in pops right off. The ballast are mounted on the side of the assembly and just have a clip for the connection. Took me an hour. Good Luck!

[joshbowling]

For all it may benefit, I gopro-ed my replace of a ballast on my 2001 Infiniti QX4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxMkzaqIrVc