Compact Nissan Cube AZ10 (2002–2008), with its recognizable design and asymmetrical headlights, still remains a cult model among JDM car enthusiasts. However, owners often encounter lighting problems: dim light from standard lamps, cloudy glass, or failure of headlights. In this article we will analyze all the nuances of working with Cube AZ10 headlights - from the selection of original and non-original parts to step-by-step replacement and legal tuning.

Feature of the model - unique design of headlights with separate mounting of low/high beam and turn signals, which complicates the search for analogues. We have collected current article numbers, proven replacement brands, and typical installation errors that lead to a short circuit or incorrect operation of the corrector. You will also learn how to upgrade your optics without losing certification and avoid getting fined by the traffic police.

Original Nissan Cube AZ10 headlights: part numbers and features

Standard block headlights for Cube AZ10 are produced under original numbers Nissan, but their cost often exceeds 20,000 rubles per pair. Main articles:

  • 🔦 Left headlight (with corrector): 26010-4M000 or 26010-4M001
  • 🔦 Right headlight: 26011-4M000 or 26011-4M001
  • 💡 Low/high beam lamp: H4 12V 60/55W (original Koito or Stanley)
  • 🔄 Turn signal: lamp PY21W (orange), the socket is built into the headlight

Important: headlights for Cube AZ10 not interchangeable with models Z11/Z12 (2008–2014) due to the changed geometry of the fasteners and connection connectors. The original units are equipped automatic light corrector (if available) which is synchronized with the suspension sensors. When buying used headlights, check the functionality of the corrector motor - replacing it will cost 3,000–5,000 rubles.

⚠️ Attention: On some parties Cube AZ10 2002–2004 headlights were installed without a corrector (articles with the suffix -000). Installing such blocks on a car with an automatic light control system will result in an error on the dashboard (Check Light System).
Headlight type Article Notes Average price, ₽
Left (with corrector) 26010-4M001 For cars 2004–2008. 22 000–25 000
Right (with corrector) 26011-4M001 Complete with motor 21 000–24 000
Left (without corrector) 26010-4M000 For early versions 2002–2003. 18 000–20 000
H4 lamp (pair) 36140-4M000 (OEM) Manufacturer Koito 1 200–1 500

📊 What headlights are on your Cube AZ10?
  • Original (with corrector)
  • Original (without corrector)
  • Non-original (branded)
  • Unoriginal (no-name)
  • I don't know

Analogues and non-original replacements: what to choose?

Original headlights for Cube AZ10 are rarely found on sale, so many owners turn to analogues. Best replacement brands:

  • 🇯🇵 Depo — a high-quality replica with the correct light geometry, article numbers: 312-1904-L (left) and 312-1904-R (right). Price: ~12,000 RUR per pair.
  • 🇰🇷 TYC — Korean manufacturer, articles: 20-6200-00-1 (left), 20-6201-00-1 (right). The difference is a duller reflector coating.
  • 🇹🇼 Sylvania — Taiwanese headlights with improved sealing, suitable for regions with high humidity. Article: H205010010 (set).
  • 🚫 No-name (China) - cheap options (from RUB 6,000 per pair), but often have problems with focusing light and poor sealing.

💡

When purchasing non-original headlights, be sure to check for a certificate. UNECE (mark E1, E4 or E22 on glass). Without it, the traffic police inspector can issue a fine for uncertified optics (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code - 500 ₽).

Key differences between the original and its analogues:

  1. Plastic quality: the original headlight housing is made of heat-resistant polycarbonate, cheap analogues are made of fragile ABS plastic, which cracks at temperatures below -15°C.
  2. Tightness: Non-original headlights often lack a silicone gasket between the glass and the body, which leads to fogging.
  3. Reflector: y Koito And Stanley An aluminum reflector with chrome plating is used, while analogues have a plastic coating with coating, which fades over time.
⚠️ Attention: When installing headlights from Nissan Cube Z11/Z12 (2008+) the power connectors will need to be re-soldered - the contacts are mirrored. The angle of the cut-off line will also change, which may blind oncoming drivers.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing headlights

Replacing the headlight with Cube AZ10 takes ~1.5 hours per side. You will need:

  • 🔧 10 mm wrench (for fastening bolts)
  • 🔧 Flat blade screwdriver (for clips)
  • 🔧 Plastic puller (so as not to damage the latches)
  • 🧴 Silicone grease for seals

Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery|Remove the front bumper (4 bolts + 6 clips)|Disconnect the headlight power connector (press the latch)|Mark the corrector wires (if any)|Clean the seat from dirt-->

Procedure:

  1. Remove the front bumper: unscrew the 4 bolts under the hood (2 on the edges, 2 in the center) and 6 plastic clips from the bottom. Carefully pull the bumper towards you, disconnecting the PTF power supply (if equipped).

  2. Unscrew the 3 headlight mounting bolts: two on top (under the hood) and one on the side (behind the bumper). Use a 10mm wrench.

  3. Disconnect the power connector by pressing the plastic lock. If the headlight has a corrector, additionally disconnect the motor connector (white 2-pin connector).

  4. Remove the headlight by pulling it towards you. Be careful with the guide pins - they often break when subjected to force.

  5. Install the new headlight in reverse order. Before connecting, apply silicone grease to the connector's O-ring.

What to do if the headlight does not fit into place?

If the headlight does not fit into the grooves, check:

1) Correct installation of the guide pins (they must fit into the holes on the body).

2) The presence of a rubber seal on the headlight housing - sometimes it moves out during transportation.

3) Condition of mounting bolts - If threads are stripped, use M6 threaded bolts with wing nuts.

Typical replacement mistakes:

  • 🚨 Mixed up connectors: the power supply to the corrector and lamps are not connected correctly → the headlight does not adjust or blinks.
  • 🚨 Damaged seal: If the rubber gasket breaks, the headlight will fog up.
  • 🚨 Unadjusted light: After replacement, be sure to adjust the tilt angle on the stand (norm: 1.5% for low beam).

Headlight tuning: what is allowed and what is not?

Optics modernization Cube AZ10 possible within the framework of the law, but there are strict restrictions. Allowed:

  • 💡 Installation high brightness halogen lamps (up to +50% of the standard, for example, Osram Night Breaker or Philips RacingVision).
  • 🔄 Replacing standard lamps with LED (only with certificate ECE R112 or ECE R128).
  • 🎨 Headlight tinting film with a throughput ≥80% (according to GOST 5727-88).

Prohibited (fine up to RUB 3,000 or deprivation of rights for 6–12 months):

  • 🚫 Installation xenon into halogen headlights (even with lenses).
  • 🚫Usage LED lamps without certificate (for example, Chinese COB-LED).
  • 🚫 Window tinting film with a capacity of <50%.
  • 🚫 Installation additional LED strips in the headlamp (except for DRLs certified according to ECE R87).

💡

The only legal way to install xenon on Cube AZ10 — purchase of headlight units with factory lenses from Nissan Cube Z12 (articles 26010-4M200/26011-4M200) and a certified xenon kit (D2S or D2R).

Popular tuning options:

Tuning type Example Cost, ₽ Legality
LED lamps H4 Philips LED X-tremeVision (12972BWX2) 8 000–10 000 ✅ Allowed
Halogen +50% brightness Osram Night Breaker Laser (64193NBL-HCB) 2 500–3 000 ✅ Allowed
Film tinting Film LLumar (80% transmittance) 1 500–2 000 ✅ Allowed
Xenon in lenses Kit Morimoto Mini D2S + lenses FX-R 25 000–30 000 ❌ Prohibited (without certificate)

Adjusting headlights after replacement or tuning

Out of adjustment headlights Cube AZ10 blind oncoming drivers and impair visibility in the rain. To configure you will need:

  • 📏 A flat wall at a distance of 5 meters from the car.
  • 📍 Chalk or masking tape for markings.
  • 🔧 Adjustment screws (located on the top and side of the headlight).

Adjustment procedure:

  1. Load the car (driver + 70 kg in the front seat).
  2. Draw vertical lines on the wall corresponding to the centers of the headlights, and a horizontal line at the level of the lamps (mark “0”).
  3. Turn on the low beam. The cut-off line should be 5 cm below the horizontal line.
  4. Adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the light beam with the screws.

💡

If your Cube AZ10 There is an automatic corrector, reset it before manual adjustment. To do this, disconnect the battery for 10 minutes or remove the fuse #32 (10A) in the block under the hood.

Typical problems after adjustment:

  • 🔴 The light shines upward — the upper adjusting screw is too tight or the corrector is faulty.
  • 🔴 Beam asymmetry — one of the headlights is installed crookedly (check the fastenings).
  • 🔴 flickering light — poor contact in the connector or oxidation of the ground (clean the contact on the body under the headlight).

Caring for headlights: how to extend their service life?

Glass and headlight reflector Cube AZ10 fade over time due to oxidation and micro-scratches. To avoid this:

  • 🧼 Wash your headlights only with a soft sponge and car shampoo (for example, Sonax Glass Cleaner). Don't use brushes!
  • 🛡️ Apply a protective coating every 6 months (polish 3M Headlight Restore or liquid glass).
  • 💧 Eliminate fogging: dry the headlight with a hairdryer (cold air) or put a bag of silica gel inside.
  • 🔧 Check for leaks: if the headlight fogs up after rain, replace the rubber seal (part no. 26015-4M000).

How to restore cloudy headlight lenses without polishing?

If the headlight glass is yellowed but there are no scratches, use the “whitening” method:

1. Mix hydrogen peroxide (3%) and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio.

2. Apply the paste to the glass, cover with film and leave for 30 minutes.

3. Rinse with water and treat with a protective varnish (for example, Meguiar's Headlight Coating).

This method removes the oxidized layer of plastic without mechanical impact.

What not to do:

  • 🚫 Clean headlights toothpaste — it contains abrasives that scratch the glass.
  • 🚫 Dry a foggy headlight hot air - this deforms the reflector.
  • 🚫 Paint the inside of the headlight black paint - this impairs heat dissipation and leads to melting of the plastic.

Frequent headlight malfunctions and repair methods

Owners Cube AZ10 often encounter the following problems:

Malfunction Reason Solution Repair cost, ₽
Low/high beam does not light up The H4 lamp has burned out or the contact has oxidized. Replace the lamp, clean the contacts in the connector 500–1 500
The headlight fogs up from the inside Cracked glass or broken seal Replacing glass or sealing rubber 2 000–4 000
Corrector doesn't work The motor is burnt out or the contacts are oxidized Replacing the motor (part number 26550-4M000) 3 000–5 000
Light flickers or dims Bad ground or faulty ignition unit (for xenon) Check the ground on the body, replace the ignition unit 1 000–3 000
Cracks in glass Shock or temperature change Replacing glass or the entire headlight 5 000–15 000

💡

If after replacing the H4 lamp the light becomes yellower or dimmer, check the voltage at the connector pins. Normal: 12.6–14.2 V. If the voltage is below 12 V, the problem is in the generator or wiring.

Self-repair of headlight glass:

  1. Remove the headlight and disassemble it (heat the glass with a hairdryer to 80°C, then carefully pry it off with a plastic tool).
  2. Clean the inside of moisture and dirt (use isopropyl alcohol).
  3. Apply to crack UV glue (For example, Loctite 3321) and dry with an ultraviolet lamp.
  4. Assemble the headlight, apply sealant to the junction of the glass and the housing.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to install headlights from Cube Z11 on Cube AZ10?

Technically yes, but you will need:

  • Resolder the power connectors (the contacts are mirrored).
  • Disable or emulate the corrector signal (if Z11 does not have one).
  • Adjust the angle of light - Z11 has a different cut-off line.

Legal: only if the headlights are certified for Cube AZ10 (check label E1 or E4 on glass).

Which color of H4 lamps is better for Cube AZ10: white (4300K) or yellow (3000K)?

The choice depends on the operating conditions:

  • 4300K (white): better for city lighting, but worse at cutting through fog.
  • 3000K (yellow): Optimal for rain and snow, but tires the eyes on the highway.

Compromise - lamps with temperature 3500–3800K (For example, Philips WhiteVision).

Why does the light blink after replacing the H4 lamp with an LED one?

Causes of flickering:

  1. Poor quality power supply in an LED lamp (buy models with CAN-bus compatibility).
  2. Bad "mass" - check the contact on the body under the headlight (clean and lubricate Litolom-24).
  3. Incompatibility with corrector — turn off the corrector motor for the duration of the test.

Solution: install voltage stabilizer (For example, LED Canbus Decoder) or return to halogen lamps.

How to check if the headlight range control is working on Cube AZ10?

Verification algorithm:

  1. Turn on the ignition (do not start the engine).
  2. Turn the corrector control on the dashboard to its extreme positions.
  3. Look at the headlight - the reflector should move up/down (visible through the glass).
  4. If there is no movement, check the fuse #32 (10A) and motor (article 26550-4M000).

If the corrector works, but the lamp does not change the angle, the problem is in the mechanical part (the drive has broken or the rod has come off).

Which headlights are better for Cube AZ10: original or Depo?

Comparison:

Criterion Original (Koito) Depo
Light quality Clear cut-off line Scattered light (worse focusing)
Tightness 100% (silicone seal) 80% (rubber, may harden)
Service life 10+ years 3–5 years
Price 20 000–25 000 ₽ 10 000–12 000 ₽

Conclusion: If your budget allows, take the original. Depo suitable for temporary replacement or if you are planning tuning (for example, installing lenses).