2003 Tacoma Tail Lighting issue/mystery-electrical

I have a 2003 Tacoma. The driver side lower turn signal and all of the rear lights, except the right turn signal, stay on when the headlight switch is turned completely on. The passenger side turn signal light does not stay on all the time but works correctly as a linker, as does the driver side. They are not on when when the steering column switch is off. I have removed the trailer harness and checked all connects for corrosion. It spent a week at a local auto electric repair shop but they couldn't resolve the issue. All the fuses have been checked. All the bulbs have been replaced. I loosened and re-tightened the main chassis ground wire. I'm going to replace the switch stem on the column tomorrow. It feels like a a short somewhere but all of these lights acting together is weird.

Help.

 

Oh wow, I was inclined to suggest the trailer wiring box, but you got that removed already, then was gonna say double check the grounds but if it's been at a shop and you've done all that work already, I'm sure the grounds and fuses have been double checked.
I don't know man. I'm also wanting to bump it up in hopes we get an electrical guru in here.
So rereading, I'm thinking you have a short somewhere. You have some circuits getting energized when a seperate one is switched on(or grounded, Toyota typically puts the switch on the ground side) so check the wiring harnesses where the wires are for the lights and you're bound to find a short somewhere.
Also I think I've read of symptoms like that when the bulb sockets in the lights are crappy and jacking everything up. Good luck

 

Make sure you have the correct bulbs in it. Have you changed any recently?

 

Start unplugging stuff, see when it turns off and diagnose from there. I've also seen similar problems with incorrect bulbs or a bad harness repair.

 

Your left front turn signal comes on with the head lights?? Does the left rear turn signal light as well??

Is the turn signal as bright as normal or does it look dim?? Like the tail lights are grounding back through the turn signals

After market alarm ?? Trailer light converter box? physical damage to the light harness poor ground in the left tail light

Unless you have modified your front turn signals you should only have one on each side . Added custom wiring can make trouble shooting fun when you have no clue what might have been done.

You say you removed the trailer harness but was the converter box checked ? the cause of all to many light problems .

What kind of work does this auto electric shop do install sound systems did they do any work on your truck at all ?

Do you have an invoice saying just what was done??

 

All the bulbs are correct. They only thing that I have replaced lately are new complete halogen headlight assemblies.

 

Have you tried unplugging head lights and see what happens? Tacoma head lights are ground controlled.

 

I have. I've also unplugged the side running lights. I've also realized that all these lights will come on when the running lights are activated. They head lights don't have to be on also. I replaced the switch on the column today but it didnt help. I also replaced the headlight relay and it didint help. I have cleaned and re-tightened every ground point I can find, including the engine block ground.

So, with the first turn of the switch, it is energizing almost all of the lights, except for three random ones: right turn bulb, right rear turn and left license plate bulb. So weird. I have looked at all the wired from the front to rear that I can access for pinches or wear.

 

You have day time running lights correct?
The turn bulbs won't come on with the headlight switch.

 

Can you give us some more info on these lights? Brand, part number or a link to them

 

Have you pulled the tail lamp relay or fuse?
Just to see what happens?

 

from the manual

 

I don't have running lights. Its a 2003. They are side lights.

 

yes

 

I have unplugged them and it doesn't make a difference. It is apparently more of a first click/turn of the switch that engages all of the lights , independent of the headlights.

 

Did any lights go out?

 

yes

 

Did only the tail lights go out?
Or did all the lights go out?

 

I cant remember. Ive done so much pushing and pulling on this thing today. I'm wondering if it may may be an ECM issue? The ABS light keeps coming on for no reason now.