Weird Electrical Issues (Can't find any threads on this)

Here's the basic problem: Passenger side tail light, and a whole lot of other things don't work when headlights are on.

The details:

1. Bought 2001 Tacoma SR5 4x4 w/V6 last December, everything worked fine. It did have aftermarket tail lights (Sonar SK3710-TCM95).

2. With the headlights off, my passenger side brake light was noticeably more dim. With the headlights on my passenger tail light wouldn't work (brake light still noticeably more dim)

3. I replaced the bulbs, no change.
-I swapped sides with the tail lights and the passenger one had the same issues when connected on the drivers side. Must be the something with the sockets or the wiring harness on the passenger tail light assembly I thought so I cleaned all the connections. No change.

4. Bought new OEM tail lights (driver and passenger side). Now the problem is even worse.
-With the headlights off, everything works as it should

5. Turn the headlights and...
-Passenger tail light doesn't work (both brake lights do work)
-ABS light comes on whenever I turn my headlights on
-When I signal to turn left:
--Front drivers side turn signal blinks fast (as if there is a bulb out on the drivers side, but there aren't any)
--rear drivers side blinks regular speed BUT the the tail light and reverse light also blink (yes, the orange, the white, and the red are all blinking).

I've unplugged the trailer wiring and that didn't affect anything. The only work I've done on the truck since I got it has been replacing the catalytic converters, rear O2 sensor, and regular oil changes).

Any ideas?

Thanks,

-Curt

 

That many things/circuits being affected you'd think it'd have to do with a ground making poor contact or something, no?

 

You have a ground issue. Just like water pipes, if you try to get "x" amount of water in to your house, you must be able to get at least "x" amount of water out of your house. Electrical current is similar. I would get a wiring diagram, find the grounds for that circuit, and start looking for corrosion.

As long as the bulbs/circuits in question appear to be similar in brightness to the other side, I vote for a poor ground.

 

Ended up being my turn signal stalk.