Electrical Troubleshooting Assistance Requested

FrustratedOldMan · Aug 31, 2017

Strange problem with my 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L, Auto, 4x4, Quad Cad, Laramie Edition

Issue:
- Activating left turn signal turns on windshield wipers
- With fog lights on, turning on headlights turns on windshield wipers and illuminates left turn signal indicator with a dull light
- With fog lights off, headlights operate normally

What I have tried:
- Aftermarket tail light bar removed. This had been installed and operation normally for over a year.
- New radio installation removed.
- Turn signal, multi-function switch replaced.

Nothing tried has changed the symptoms at all. Any ideas or wiring PDFs that someone can share?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

WilliamS · Aug 31, 2017

There is something tied into the left turn signal/driving light circuit to the wiper. Makes me think for some reason the harness has and issue and those 2 wires are touching. Or in the fuse box. Do you have a heavy corrosion issue or any sign that animals are under the hood?

FrustratedOldMan · Aug 31, 2017

Nothing noticeable in the way of corrosion or animal damage. I was going to start metering out wires starting at the wiper motor this weekend. Looking at the wiring diagrams for both the wiper and turn signal this after noon, I really don't see much common except for the multi function switch. I was gong o start there and work my way out.

That is of course unless someone on the forum comes up with a better approach

jlbayes · Sep 1, 2017

Start looking for shared grounds.

crazzywolfie · Sep 1, 2017

i would be looking at grounds also. normally the signal indicator only come on with the headlights when you got a bulb out or something is using it as a ground.

stimpy433 · Sep 1, 2017

Check your fuse box for corrosion, I've read other threads where people have had strange things like this happen and corrosion was the cause.

SportRam00 · Sep 7, 2017

I would also look for wires that may have rubbed together. Start probing wires while activating the various switches to see where the current is coming from.

Sounds like a wiring issue... But could also be a ground problem as well.

Yeret · Sep 9, 2017

Pull out your multi-function switch and check the wires in the big connector. Over time, especially if the steering wheel is shifted up and down a lot, various wires can pop loose from the connector and cause goofy issues.

When I first got my truck, the low beams would randomly cut out and eventually got to the point to where they wouldn't work at all. I replaced the multi-function switch, did nothing. Pulled it off, looked at the connector and found that the hot for the low beams had popped out. Pressed it back in and haven't had a problem with the low beams ever since.

This connector houses a ton of hots for various stuff in the truck.

Electrical Troubleshooting Assistance Requested

FrustratedOldMan

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WilliamS

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FrustratedOldMan

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jlbayes

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crazzywolfie

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stimpy433

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SportRam00

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Yeret

The Village Drunk

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