Intake

The ballasts on 2011/2012+ are very picky with aftermarket bulbs. I suggest sticking to OEM bulbs like Philips or OSRAM. Aftermarket bulbs like the Morimoto D2S bulbs will work with no problems too.

Epiphany

This is why I've been switched my headlight bulbs 3 times in the last month. Quite annoying. Philips works though.

fypatwa

This appears to be a ballast issue. My 2012 G37 passenger head light was having the same issue for couple of months. Now its worse - the headlight bulb will come on but turns off after a minute and the dealership diagnosis was a bad ballast. They are charging over ~$500 for the replacement ballast and more than $500 for labor

jphillips327

I hope you didn't have the factory replace your ballast yet. I currently am going through the same situation as you on mine. https://www.theretrofitsource.com/ Just enter your car info.
Is an option for an aftermarket ballast that will work on the 12+ G. Just waiting for it to come in before I replace my ballast. I hope this reaches you in time to help save a little money.
I tried sending the direct link but it didn't work when I posted it.

fypatwa

Hi, thanks for the info. This is exactly the ballast I got. I will attempt to replace tomorrow. Looking for some guidance on removing the bumper to access the ballast.

Epiphany

Here are a couple DIY posts for removing the bumper/headlight:
https://www.myg37.com/forums/d-i-y-i...val-guide.html
https://www.myg37.com/forums/d-i-y-i...l-install.html
https://www.myg37.com/forums/d-i-y-i...al-w-pics.html

G37xhibeet

iTrader: (1)

Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to just buy bulbs that work than changing your ballasts?

saywat?

iTrader: (3)

Ugh Wat if bulbs isn't the problem?

jphillips327

A new bulb will not necessarily fix the case in his problem. The bulb is getting power and turning on but then it loses power and shuts back off.

G37xhibeet

iTrader: (1)

Yeah. Unless I'm making this up, several ppl have had that problem after changing to aftermarket bulbs. As far as I can recall ppl switching to Osram and Phillips bulbs have never had that problem

saywat?

iTrader: (3)

He said dealer diAgnosed and said ballast was bad. So thats all we can go by. But he really should diagnose himself in case Dealer is wrong

G37xhibeet

iTrader: (1)

I think I see the confusion. I assume you're referring to fypatwa. I thought OP was thinking of replacing ballasts.
And yeah I don't trust the dealership

saywat?

iTrader: (3)

No worries

fypatwa

Hello Friends, so here is my status - spent a few hours today and got the light working
Turns out its the bulb. Yes I am still totally confused how a failed bulb would still light up for a second or two and then turn-off

Here are the steps I followed:
1. I followed instructions and removed the bumper and pulled out the headlight. The instructions in the links shared by "Epiphany" were spot on. It was fairly easy to pull out the bumper.
2. I replaced the ballast and the failure signature was the same (bulb lights up for a second and then turns off)
3. Then I swapped the bulbs and the failure followed the bulb so I got a $99 sylvania from O'Riley and spent the next hour putting the headlights and bumper back together.
4. Dealer was wrong ballast was not the problem. I should have swapped bulbs to check but my logic was if the bulb lights up even for a second then its got to be the ballast.

Thank You all very much for your help!!!!