Signal for left turn - Headlights turn off!! Wat 'da...??

[JoeATL]

I've got a very unique thing happening with my 1994 Camry LE with 239,000 miles...

Since it's winter time, I'm driving to and from work in the dark. Just yesterday morning I discovered that when my headlights are on and I use the left turn signal, ALL my lights go OUT!

This happens when I fully engage the signal stalk to the point of where it "click" then ALL the exterior lights go off. Just the left turn signal blinks happily away.

If I use the turn signal stalk just enough to activate the turn signal, (without it fully engaged), the exterior lights stay on. They go off only when it "clicks."

Turning right, no problem. Click or no click, my headlights remain on.

Since yesterday, I find myself taking alternate routes just to avoid the "dreaded" left turn. Contrary to the reputation of Atlanta drivers, I do like to use my turn signals! :-)

What could possibly be wrong??

Thanks to anyone that can help!!



JoeATL

[toyomoho]

Could be a loose wire issue in the combo headlight/turn signal switch. The headlights and taillights are controlled by a relays wired to the light switch. Moving the turn signal handle one way may be causing power to the relays to be cut off. Are the tail lights also off?

[Sniperdude]

You've probably got a short in your left turn signal wire. Now if it's front or rear, I'm not sure, but you might wanna try taking the front turn signal out, and then try using the left turn signal, and if it's still messed up, try taking the rear out.

[Mike Gerber]

Many electrical problems in our Camrys can be traced back to the loom of electrical wires in the trunk, located by the driver's side trunk hinge. These wires get frayed and broken from all the flexing they are exposed to as the trunk is opened and closed. The first thing I would do is open up that loom of wires and look for frayed or broken wires. You might have a couple of wires that are frayed and are touching each other. Repair what you find as necessary. Hope for the problem being back there. It's the easiest thing to fix.

If you don't find anything in the trunk loom, then try Sniperdude's suggestion to isolate the problem to the front or rear.

If you can't isolate the problem to the front or rear, then the most likely culprit is the combination switch itself, inside the steering column; especially since you said it doesn't happen if you turn the stalk just enough to activate the turn signal.

Mike

[JoeATL]

Toyomoho, Sniperdude & Mike:

You guys are da bomb!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check out everything y'all suggested and post back. It may be a few days because of scheduling conflicts and if it involves the steering column, I'm afraid I won't be able to tackle that one so that'll have to go to my mechanic.

Oh, Toyomoho, in answer to your question about the tail lights, yeah, they go out as well!

Thanks again all! It's guys like you that make forums like this so valuable!

JoeATL