I am looking for someone with extensive lighting system knowledge to help me with my lighting issues. Willing to paypal funds and/or have the car looked at in person if local. This is not a typical problem and I've checked quite a bit of the simple and typical problems. I've done the searches on many forums and again...no luck. I'm at my wits end and do not have the know-how or confidence in tackling this issue any longer. Please PM if interested. Thank you. I am located in Piscataway, NJ (near New Brunswick).

-brian

 

How about posting what the problem is and maybe we can walk you through some diagnostic tests to determine the cause.

 

HAHAHA. Man you are so lucky, you live in the home of the American Office for the International Electrical and Electronic Engineers Association. Drive around for awhile and shout at random people.

 

lol perfect.

Whitebird00 - I did PM you (prob don't recognize the name) about the issue and you told me to look into the DRL module. I have an aftermarket radio in (with optical eye) and other accessories. I'm sure it's simple but I just don't trust myself to not break something. I almost wish this problem was mechanical because that is easy to me.

Here is the problem again.

My front turn signals will not function when I have the headlight switch in the first on position or with the headlights on. Oddly enough, my taillamps blink perfectly while the fronts stay solid. With the headlight switch in the totally off position, everything blinks just as it should.

On the dash, the turn signal indicators will light but when the "blink" occurs, the light goes half out (more like half lit). This is inline with my issue since one area(rear lights) are blinking correctly and the others are solid(front turn signals). My headunit (alpine aftermarket) lights dim when I turn on the headlight switch on either parking or headlights on.

I've checked the fuses, grounds on the passenger side fender and rear light harness (by the trunk latch mech.), flashers, and lamps. It seems like some type of wiring issue. I've replaced the front sockets on the car a while ago since the stockers looked fried (still worked fine though).

To complicate things more (possibly) I have LEDs in all of my exterior lights except for the headlights and foglights. Everything was working just as it should. I have what's called "switchback" LEDs in the front marker lights. These will light amber on the high filament circuit and light white on the low filament circuit. They are really a nice unit and worked just fine for quite a while. I attempted swapping those out to see if they both had just gone bad but same issue with other lamps popped in. I do have electronic flashers in replacement of the turn signal and hazard thermal flashers.

It just sounds like a front end electrical issue since both sides have the exact same symptom. Even when using the hazards, same thing occurs. I don't have a complete understanding of the electrical lighting system of the car or what else to check.

Another small issue, noticed that my head unit lights dim when using the brake. They stay dim until I release my foot. Happens 90% of the time. Also, battery and alternator are new.

I can go on and on in detail but those are the general symptoms. I'm not very good with checking these systems out so I just don't feel confident on my inspection techniques. The car starts and runs just fine and volts are right where they should be across the battery with the engine running and all that.

The other things running off the headlight switch power would be my two guage pod lights (also LEDs). However, this all has worked just fine before.

-Brian

 

It sounds like a grounding issue somewhere. Most likely a relay is screwing up with you, not going to ground all the way.

 

sounds wierd, but look at the connections behind the radio, there are 2 orange leads on the alpine, 1 is dimmer, the other is illumination. Try unplugging the radio completely, and see if the problem persists..

 

I'm a bit timid about pulling the radio out but I will try and give it a shot. I'm sure its not difficult but many times with wiring, whenever I start taking it apart it's never the same putting it back together. This could be be different lol.

As far as the grounding issue, what other relays besides the flashers would you suggest I test or replace?

-Brian

 

Post this in your regional section, you will have ALOT better luck to find somebody around you willing to help:

>>>Eastern Members<<<

Good luck man,
Craig.

 

I would say the radio as well otherwise maybe the leds arent working right. Maybe a set of leds for the front turn signals you have need some ohm load equalizers.

 

Craig - I did post this in that forum but not having much luck. A buddies friend stopping over sometime this week to give me a hand. Hopefully he will be able to figure it out.

As for the leds being bad...these all worked for months prior and I've swapped new leds in front to see if it was them, but the problem wasn't fixed.

-Brian

 

Have you tried a variable load flasher? LEDs do not required that much power, they don't drain that much power, maybe the stock flasher is not responding well becasue of the less power draw for the LEDs.

 

I have electronic flashers in place which worked just fine. I replaced the electronic flasher unit with a new one and same issue. I even attempted a different brand of electronic flasher and still no change.

-brian

 

Did you test the DRL module as I suggested in the PM?

 

I am actually going to be doing that tonight. I have a buddy coming over that is pretty experienced with these cars. I will def post back whatever we figure out. I'm sure it will help somone.

-brian

 

Id Try Removing Items One At A Time In A Attempt To Isolate The Problem.. Basically Reverse And Unplug Your Mods 1 By 1 Until You Fix The Problem.. If You Unplug Everything And You Still Have A Problem It Means Your Stock Wireing Is Fried Somewhere.. Id Start With The Flashers And Leds Also Check Your Batt Voltage

 

How about turning off the caps lock when posting here?

 

well...sometimes it takes someone to take a look at a problem from the outsider and determine what the issue is. The buddy that swung by did a couple simple tests and then asked me to play around with the turn signal switch lever and sure enough it started working in some instances. I went and got a new turn signal switch and will begin the replacement soon.

Anyone have a good write-up possibly with pics on replacing this part? Thanks for the help everyone.

-Brian