Left Turn Signal problem

I had the same problem. Spent and hour scratching my head and taking stuff apart, then cleaned the contacts in the connector with a wooden nail file and some wd-40, it happened a couple more times, usually in the spring. I now have a can of electrical contact cleaner and spray the plug and TV socket once or twice a year, and been fine ever since.

I think it was about $7 for the contact cleaner, and for the amount I use, it's a lifetime supply.

Let us know what you figure out.

Moved

Wayne
Moderator

ScottG wrote:

Scuddzy wrote:
@super-dave. I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. Do you know what year of truck this system is on?

You have it. It's called a TIPM or Totally Integrated Power Module. Quite possibly the worst and poorest thought out sytem ever installed on a motor vehicle.
So there is no fuse to protect the lighting. Instead it relies on a PCB to shut down the circuit if it see's a short too often. Then the dealer has to clear the code and restore operation. This can be done up to 3 times before the $1k TIPM must be replaced.
Many people install relays and/or fuses of their own in the circuit to protect the TIPM.

My solution was to by-pass the TIPM all together and run off the vehicle lights, which have a simple fuse we can replace ourselves. Take a simple 12V line testor and see if you have signal on the appropriate spade of the truck mounted 7-pin connector. That will tell you right away whether the problem is on the truck side or the trailer side.

Scuddzy wrote:
@super-dave. I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. Do you know what year of truck this system is on?

You have it. It's called a TIPM or Totally Integrated Power Module. Quite possibly the worst and poorest thought out sytem ever installed on a motor vehicle.
So there is no fuse to protect the lighting. Instead it relies on a PCB to shut down the circuit if it see's a short too often. Then the dealer has to clear the code and restore operation. This can be done up to 3 times before the $1k TIPM must be replaced.
Many people install relays and/or fuses of their own in the circuit to protect the TIPM.

If the brake light works but the turn signal doesn't the problem must be in the truck. There is only one wire for brake/turn per side. For this same reason you can't have a flasher with a constant on brake light on the same side on a trailer with a standard 7-pin plug

Now if the OP meant the tail lights work but brake/turn doesn't it could be anywhere from the bulb to the truck.

no the bulbs 1156 or newer dual element, one element is taillight, one is brake and signal-Oh you have a seperate fixture for tailight? you have same bulb that one element flashes while the other filament is constant with brake? Id be curious of the number on the bulb. But mute since it works. at least visually?-Id start by swapping with other bulb that works..
Dave Ive seen those cpu issues before on the Dodge forums (and some simple side stepping if that what it is). -hopefully not. But arent there also fuses in that circut (trailer)?

@AnEv 942-- the bulbs in the lights have 2 different elements, one is the constant/brake the other is the flasher. Both are intact.

@super-dave. I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. Do you know what year of truck this system is on?

Do you drive a Dodge truck? The trailer turn signals on certain years were controlled by the on board computer instead of fuses. When it trips, it has to be reset by the dealer. If it isn't that or an actual fuse, xhexk the leads in the trailer 7 pin plug head.

Silly trailers-just kidding same wiring issues...but seriously, brake and signal use same element in bulb. So assume either the trailer plug or fuse in tow vehicle.