looking for help with electrical problem

Recently, I've been having some problems with my 2000 SE's lights. When the headlights are on, my left turn signal (lights and dash arrow) turns on (solid, not blinking) and engaging the left signal does nothing...right one works fine. If the headlights are off, the left turn signal works fine but the dash lights (and headlights I believe) flash sporadically.

Seems to me that there is a short somewhere but I havn't a clue where best to start tracking this down. Anyone had a similar problem? How 'bout a little advice? I'd like to not take this to a mechanic as electrical problems like this seem to be very expensive and time consuming to track down so I'd like to waste my own time, not a $35 an hour mechanic.

Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by retrev
not a $35 an hour mechanic.

Thanks in advance.

Try $65 an hour!

try checking all the bulbs on the left side of the car. i think one of the bulb could be shorted out. most likely one of the bulb with double filament.

I have almost identical problem with same model year but it's the left turn signal and stop light combination aggravated when the headlights are on (even park). I have measured voltages and seems to be a poor ground but due to a broken ankle have not gotten much further than that at this this time. Please keep me informed if you get it fixed.

Good luck, Norman

I just bought a 2000 SE a couple days ago and one of the things that I found when Iwas researching exterras was that they have poor grounds that often fail and cause a multitude of problems. After checking the bulbs, that's where I would start. However, I did have a similar problem with my camaro and it ended up being a short behind the instrument cluster. Good luck, you are gonna need it.

I forgot to reply when the problem was fixed. I was 100% correct in my diagnoses of the problem. It was a ground problem. However since at the time my ankle was broken and my leg was in a cast I let the dealer fix the problem. They presented two options, one was a new wiring harness (about 800 dollars and 400 in labor) or to try to fix just the grounds with supplemental wiring. Since that was only going to cost $110 and and my daughter was driving the car I went that route. The dealer stated there was no guarantee for their lesser cost repair, but it work fine until the other week when the car was stolen (this was the second time). and wrecked. Anyway, Good luk with any one else who had this problem.