Roughly 2 weeks ago, I had an alarm/remote start system installed, a Viper 5904, in my '98 Dakota. All was well for 3 days, then an issue cropped up. Occasionally, and seemingly completely random, the left turn signal indicator on the dash gauge will light up and stay on. When it does this, the left turn signal blinks fast. There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason as to when it decides to do this. It happens randomly when I'm driving, and whether I remote start the truck, or manually start it up. Sometimes it happens when I first start the truck, then later goes off, then comes back on, all in the space of roughly an hour.

My first thought was a loose wire, so I took it to the shop that did the install. As (bad) luck would have it, as soon as I dropped of to them, it stopped, and they couldn't replicate the issue. They said they double checked all the connections and tested all the voltages, and found nothing wrong.

Has anyone encountered anything like this? Is there anything I can check/inspect when this occurs that could help identify the cause? I intend to take it back to the installer at some point, but I'd like to go in there being able to provide some solid information as to a possible cause, or anything that might help them resolve it.

A tricky one, I know, so thank you in advance for any and all advice.

 

When the alarm is activated does the turn signal's blink? I assuming they do. That would mean they would have to tap into your turn signal somewhere. I know you said they check wiring again but did they leave one loose or exposed to were it is grounding out occasionally.

 

The shop would not have tapped into the blinker circuits. If anything they would have connected the remote start's parking light output to the parking light circuit. Does the remote start flash or blink the parking lights when you remote start the truck or while it is running after being remote started? If so, either you can do it yourself or have the shop do it but disconnect the white parking light flash wire. If you can locate the remote start unit under your dash you can just pull out the 10 amp fuse from the white parking light flash wire in the remote start's wire harness, the fuse will be located close to the unit itself. Then you can drive the truck a few days and see if the problem persists.

I don't think the remote start has anything to do with this problem. If you still have the problem with the parking light output disconnected, first try replacing your turn signal flasher relay. It is the cheapest and easiest solution to start with. If it still has the problem after that, then you either have a bad headlight switch or the combination switch on the turn signal lever is bad. The Haynes Book for your Dakota should give the wiring info and tell you how to remove and check both the combination switch and the headlight switch with a volt meter. My guess is it is either a bad flasher relay or somehow the installer maybe partially disconnected the wiring at the flasher and it is now making an intermittent connection therefore causing the blinker problem.

Jimmy

 

I'd be looking for a bad ground. Maybe they tapped one and damaged it, or it's not tight.

 

Yes, the remote start does flash the parking lights when I arm/disarm the alarm. I'll go ahead and try disconnecting the parking lights and see what happens.

A bad ground is also another possibility. There was previously an alarm/remote start system installed, but when I left for the Navy the truck was vandalized. They ripped out all my electronics (neon, amp, speakers, etc), so there was quite a few loose wires. I informed the shop of this, and they ripped out all the old stuff, and said everything else was fine. But as electrical systems go, something could have been missed or is hiding.

Thank you for the advice, I've now got a decent place to start.

 

Replace your flasher. My dads 04 grand cherokee had a similar problem. At times the left turn signal wouldnt work. Some times it would flash fast,stay lit or not work at all. When I was driving it I could flick the switch or tilt the wheel and it would come back on. I did this 4 or 5 times over a month period of driving it. Replaced the turn signal switch at 80.00 and didnt fix it. Replaced the flasher and it worked and hasnt been a problem since.

 

i had the same issue but on the right side. i found a corroded socket in the front directional. i cleaned it and put a new bulb in just for good measure. not a problem since. when the blinker is blinkin fast, look and see if all the bulbs are working on that side. if not, check that socket.