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YATST: Turn Signal and Brake Light Prob. on 2001 Dakota

T

TSDible

Golden Member
Yet Another Turn Signal Thread

I never thought you could say that, but there was one posted here a day or so ago.

So here is the problem, maybe one of you auto gurus can put me in the right direction.

My vehicle was recently shipped overseas for me, so I'm not sure that I can get warranty work done on it by Chrysler here in Germany. I am checking that out though.

Recently my left brake light has been going out periodically. The tail light portion of it works fine, just the brake light goes out. It is intermittent though... At first, I thought it was just a short somewhere, but then the electrical problems get wierd.

My right turn signal is also having intermittent problem, but not at the same time as the break light. (as far as I can tell). Occasionally, when I turn on the right turn signal, my hazzard lights come on instead. It is only with the right turn signal. I have checked all the bulbs on the truck and no matter what I do, the problem persists. But it gets better... the turn signal thing only happens after the truck has been run for a bit. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to start happening. Some times I can drive it most of the day. Once it starts however, it continues to act up every time the signal is used until the truck is allowed to sit for a period of time again.

As I said... I will try to see if Chrysler in Germany will do warranty work on the vehicle, but I thought maybe it is just something stupid, and I could avoid the hassle.

Any help?
 
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
short of utilizing a blow torch to fix the problem, check the brake switch under the pedal and flasher unit.
Click to expand...

Not exactly the solution I'm looking for... 🙂
 
The way it happens doesn't seem like a short to me though... If it is a short, it would be truely intermittent... I've never heard of a short that fixes itself after the vehicle has sat for a period of time... it seems odd...
 
I'd say it's the turn signal switch. Swap out that part and kiss both problems good bye. However, I didn't say it would be easy...
 
Also... the truck was on a ship in dock for about a month... I know that salt water can cause havoc on electrical systems... perhaps corrosion is the problem...

 
Possibly a connection or circuit is being affected by heat. It malfunctions when it is hot and not when it cools.

I'm not familiar with your car, but I'd swith around a couple of bulbs. You might inadvertantly fix it. I'd concentrate on the flasher-brake light circuit. Are they controlled by the same unit? Most newer cars do not have the old flasher unit we all know and love. There has got to be a module of somekind that controls these items. It could have a loose connection or possibly failing after use due to heat. The other possibility is a bad ground somewhere but since it fails only after some use, that's doubtful.

What model is it?
 
22k miles so it should still be under warranty. But that doesn't mean that Chrysler in Europe will honor it.. I have to wait until next week to call the local dealer.
 
Order a book with an electrical diagram. Trust me, electrical problems aren't as complex as people make them out to be. The toughest part about them is actually getting to the wiring harnesses. You can rest assured though that since you're obviously having multiple problmes that it's most likely not a broken wire somewhere which would be the worse scenario. (you'd have to re-run the harness...YUCK!)

If there's a controller module somewhere, you can most likely find it by following the mechanics of your brake pedal. Just look under your dashboard and see what you can find. You may have to take part of the dash apart to get under there, but it is managable to work on it... Look for any modules or relays that it may be connected to and go from there. 😉
 
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