Odd Electrical issues

I have a 2000 Xterra w/84K miles. About two months ago I noticed if my Xterra was off and my foot was on the brake my gauges would illuminate slightly. If I opened my door the alarm would sound indicating my headlights were on or the keys were in the ignition, even though neither was the case. This behaviour only occured when my foot was on the brake. Last night, after not driving the Xterra for 5 days, the left turn signal would not work with the headlights on. Now when I turn on the headlights the left turn indicator illuninates slightly and when I step on the barkes the left turn lights light up. They do not flash. The right turn signals work fine. If I turn the headlights off the turn signals work fine. I believe it is a short or a loose ground but have no idea where it could be. I had a RV dealer install a trailer hitch last May. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The diode ripple in the alternator could be failing. Basically your alt. can barely keep up with power draw. get the alt. checked for free at a good parts store.

Thanks for the info. I will have the altenator checked.

My dad recently had this problem on his 2003 XE. He had U-Haul install a Class III hitch, and was hooking up the wiring himself. He connected both of the Xterra's brake light wires into the trailer's single brake light recepticle. Later, while driving, he pushed on the brake, and a fuse promptly blew, meaning both the turn signals and four-way-flashers were extremely slow and no lights on the car would work except the headlights and interior lights. He found it in the fusebox under the hood in the engine bay, threw in a new $.50 fuse, and it's back to normal. He later re-wired the trailer correctly. Hope you find out what's wrong!