Help! Blinker makes radio and dash blink!

I have a 2011 Tacoma and just installed HID lighting throughout the whole front end. I found that my radio lights started blinking after turning the headlights off. I adjusted the dimmer switch and it stopped when I made the dash lights brighter. Any ideas if this is a problem or should I just keep the dash lights on bright?

 

@Nonfatwater7 what was the issue - i am having the same issue in my 2008 tacoma ?

 

Ok so your first sentence is pretty much all one needs to know to start diagnosing this issue. 85% of the time when the issue is weird/strange/no where close to normal operation when it comes to electrical your issue is going to be in the grounding system. The trailer light harness "module" is a load of crap. Yes there was a short/loose connection... in the ground. It may have been at that module but replacing the module was most likely not needed. I have stopped going to dealers for anything electrical as the bills are usually stupid high and they "fix" issues by throwing parts at the issue instead of actually diagnosing.

Anyways look at your tail lights, if any of the connectors look burnt, feel brittle or appear to be starting to become that way, you have a ground issue. "Grounds" in many vehicles are used as the switch legs in numerous vehicles these days, I believe because it saves the companies on those extra requires relays and since it's a DC system things simply don't work when the circuits broken vs highly likely to go bad/burn up in action systems. (IE your trailer module "shorting out" probably Bullshit, they replaced that to charge you more and justify the hours they had your vehicle to make a tap).

For reference or anyone else with similar issues Start at your tail lights/3rd brake light as that's most likely where your issue is due to it being when brake applied, check connectors for burnt/brittle Ness, loose wire, darkening etc. If any of those exist locate the ground wire for the harness/plug and simply T tap into the wire with a larger #12 automotive wire and carry it to the nearest metal frame or body panel that's connected securely to the frame, clean off paint from a small area, and bolt a lug or crimp on a ring terminal to the wire and BOLT it to the member. Lock washer is recommended along with using stainless or zinc coated hardware. If ground is used asome the switch leg, it sucks I know, but best fix I've found is simply following the wire out and replacing it with a larger Guage wire all the way back to the fuse box, or at least the engine bay. Small chance being an 05 it's a BCM or multifunction switch, but unlikely. Post if that's been completed and issue still remains.

 

Yes agreed it's a ground issue. You left lighting is suspect and only with the blinkers on what is happening is the lighting is replacing the missing ground they are becoming a series wired ground, lighting the bulbs backwards. It can be any thing connected to your left signal system from a corroded bulb to a bad ground connection most likely at a connector. Because the housings are plastic they have to be externally grounded and probably share a common ground. The easiest way to test is with a test light not a meter because DVM's have no resistance they will not load a circuit but a test light will. If the test light lights connected to a light assembly ground (with the lights turned on) there is a ground issue some where close by. I would not add a ground connection I would find the issue and repair it other wise it may come back to haunt you latter on.

 

Great 1st post!! Welcome to TW!!