Anticrosswalk

Hi,

This winter I rear ended someone during a snowstorm. Fortunately, it was very minor because I was going slow in a whiteout. Shortly after, I noticed a problem with my left turn signal.

Here's what's happening -

When my parking lights or headlights are turned on, my left turn signal indicator and left signal lights (front and rear) stay illuminated even when the signal switch is in the neutral position. If I try to signal left, the light doesn't blink it just remains solid; the right signal appears to be working fine.

Also if I press the hazard light button when the parking/headlights are on, the indicator and lights stay lit just like my left blinker.

When the parking/headlights are off, both the left turn signal and the hazard lights work fine;however, I noticed the instrument cluster along with the lights in the AC, rear defrost, air re-circulation and hazard buttons blink with the turn signal

I tried removing both the front and rear left signal bulbs and the problem persists. I've also unclipped the front left turn signal socket and it didn't make a difference.

I've researched this online and alot of people suggest a ground-related issue to others having similar problems. I have access to a repair manual but it's intimidating because there are many of ground wires and I don't even know where to start.

There are no electrical-automotive specialists in my area so I'm worried it could be time consuming and expensive if I have to send it to a shop.

I'm hoping someone here may be able to help or point me in the right direction.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

ezone

Guess: Sounds like the park light and turn signal power circuits have been shorted together on the left side.

Of course the most likely area to look and test is where it got hit, I assume it was hit on the left (Drivers) front?


How bad was the hit?
Did it take out the headlight housing?
Did it get into the wiring in that corner?
Did someone splice wires in that corner? Any wads of tape on the wiring?

First suspect would be a bad turn/park bulb in the corner that was hit, the double filaments have crossed internally and shorted together.....but you say this was already checked?
Did you swap with the working bulb from the opposite side of the car?

Further checking into the wiring in that corner.....Green/red (left) turn signal circuit has somehow become connected with the red/yellow park light circuit, either in the wiring or the bulb.

Anticrosswalk

Hi, thanks for helping out.

Most of the impact was from the center/ driver side.
It wasn't that bad as I wasn't moving very fast.

It didn't effect the headlight housing at all, just cracked some of the plastic on the bumper.

Aside from the lighting issue I'm having, I have no reason to think it got into the wiring in the corner and I haven't noticed any tape on the wiring but I'll take a better look when I inspect the wiring this weekend.

To test the bulb, I removed it from the socket and tested the switch but the left turn signal indicator light remained lit, and the same result when I totally removed the socket clip.

I haven't tried another bulb as I thought by removing it, and the socket, the problem would be resolved if the bulb was the issue. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try the other bulb.

I'll check the Green/Red and Red/Yellow wires next. Do you just trace them back from the socket?

Is there a right way or any tips for checking wire problems like this?

Thanks.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Take a close look at that left side dual filament bulb mentioned.

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

not a DIY - moved outta to unclutter DIY section.

Anticrosswalk

I finally got this fixed. I bought this car used and didn't realize it had a trailer/ tow package. I knew there was a tow hitch but didn't know there was wiring too.

There was a short in the wiring harness for the trailer lights. I Just disconnected the trailer wiring and everything is back to normal.

Thanks to all who replied.

ezone

I doubt anyone here expected a hitch stuck to a Civic.
That would have been handy info LOL

Glad you figured it out