Nissan Repair: 1995 nissan P/U XE-v6 Grounding out..., turn signal switch, nissan hardbody

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1995 Nissan hardbody 4x4 automatic. I washed my truck the other day and by the time i got home i had sprung a bit of an electrical issue. When I use my left signal my brake lights act as if they are signal lamps and flash with the signal. This does not occur when i use my right signal lamp. When I use my brakes, my left signal stays on solid as if it were a brake lamp. I removed both the front and rear lamps and cleaned all contacts. I have pulled the dash apart and checked the hazard lamp switch and a few of the relays under the dash. the only logical thing i can think of is a common ground is grounding out!? is there a common ground where all these things would be affected, and where should i start with testing it!?

ANSWER: Hi Colin -

I would check the turn signal switch. The tail lamp, stop lamp, headlights, and turn signal wires all converge here and wires are so close together in this switch that there is a good chance that 2 have bridged together somehow, especially if your right signal is working properly.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I removed The signal switch. In doing so the signal lamps would not be operable as expected, the hazards where the only way i could think of otherwise to test them. But the left signal lamp still goes on with the brake lamps!? Is there any other possibilities other than a loose or corroded ground!? Without that switch present they should not be operable at all!? I am stumped... any other suggestions!? Thank you very much Calvin!

Colin

ANSWER: Hi Colin -

Are you saying that you disconnected the turn signal switch, and the left brake and turn signal lights still illuminate together?

If so, you are looking more for a shorted wire, not a missing ground. The most likely places are at the bulb socket area, the turn signal switch harness, or turn signal itself (but since you have disconnected that, should be OK), behind the fuse box, or somewhere along the wire run. Inspect for 2 wires touching each other, burned together, or misconnected.

Hope this helps Colin -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well i have found out my hazard light switch is faulty. But even with it removed and the turn signal switch disconnected When you press the brakes the left signal lamp comes on. If you disconnect the front signal lamp completely the rear signal still comes on with the brakes. If you remove the back signal lamp assembly, the front signal lamp still comes on. I cannot not find any Corroded/split or bridged wires along the whole wire run. I am starting to lose hope on this wiring issue... Any last suggestion before I call it quits!? thank you very kindly!
Colin

Answer
Hi Colin -

This has to be related to the brake or T/S circuit, and again you are looking for a bridged circuit or short in that system. If you have a circuit light tester 12V, that would be very helpful in finding your problem, as a lot of times they are not readily seen. I know you already checked the socket for the brake and turnsignal lamp, but perhaps you might want to check the "hot" wire for both sockets and see if there is power to both lamps before and after the socket terminals. If there is power to the Stop Lamp socket when the signal is on (and vice versa)at the bulb contacts, but not before the socket, then that is the problem.

Have you check the stop lmap switch also?

Aloha
calvin