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Turn signal weird behavior - rears only on 97 1500
2nd Gen Ram Tech1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.
Ok sounds like you have the factory setup if you can disconnect it. That eliminates the possibility there's something wrong in there (which isn't uncommon).
There are two things off: All black wires should have ground connection, and you state only the license plate ones do. The brake/turn signal wires should be "floating open" unless the brakes are applied or one of the turn signals is on. Just to make sure, you are looking towards the truck, not the lights ?
I'd say it's time to bite the bullet and drop the spare tire. The wiring harness splits somewhere on the driver side above the spare. The splice for all the ground connections is hiding somewhere near the junction according to the FSM. Open up the loom a bit and look for corrosion or rubbed through wiring.
Thanks DerTruck. What do you mean, "Just make sure, you are looking towards the truck, not the lights?"?
IT WAS THE GROUND WIRES (as most of you suggested). I unwrapped the wiring harness near where the spare tire hangs, where the wiring splits off to the passenger side tail lights ...and in there was a big ol' group of ground wires all spliced together AND BROKEN!!!! I cleaned all the wires, added some dielectric grease, threated them into a coupler - squeeze hard - and everybody is connected and NO MORE PROBLEMS.
Sorry I didn't focus on that sooner. 'Thank you so much, DerTruck, HeyYou and others!!!!! So happy. Feels good to have grabbed this truck out of a weed-infested back lot after 6 years of sitting and brought her back to life. Doing really well now!!!
Wish mine looked that nice.