A few days ago, I'm driving home from work and put on the left turn signal. The dash indicator lights (a bit dimly) and doesn't flash. I checked the front and rear signal. Both were lit, not flashing.

hmmmm?

Today, I go out for lunch. I hit the turn signal and it works fine.

Well, that's weird, I thought. Then I turned my lights on and sure enough, the left blinker stays on, front and back. Not certain, but, I think they stay on, even if I don't have the turn signal on.

It does this with both headlights and parking lights.

Kinda sounds like a weird ground problem to me. The grounds floats due to extra current of lights.

What say you folks?

It's a 97, ext cab, 3.slow 5 speed, btw.

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97 Ranger XLT extended cab 3.0 5 speed

A little more info.

When I put the left turn signal on (lights off), all 4 corner parking lights flash with it.

So, there is definitely some sort of link between the flasher circuit and the parking lights.

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97 Ranger XLT extended cab 3.0 5 speed

bumpity bump

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97 Ranger XLT extended cab 3.0 5 speed

Check for a loose or broken ground wire on the driver side inner fender apron about halfway back.

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2003 FX4 Level II, Supercharged 5.0L V8, Headers, Duals
BW4406 manual transfer case, Aussie Locker, Torsen L/S, 4.10's
Bilstein 7100 rezzies, Cadillac/Mustang rear discs, Duff traction bars
Keypad Entry, Lock LEDs, ABS switch, sway bar discos
Heated seats, Explorer EATC, Trip Computer and consoles

2003 XLT 2.3L M5OD-R1 reg cab, 2011 Taurus SEL, 2016 C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid

cleaned that ground. no change. damn, i was sure that would fix it. guess it's time to find a meter. i bought one a few weeks ago on feebay, but, it's not scheduled to be delivered for a few weeks. Last time i save 2 bucks on something and have to wait a month on it.

i looked at the wiring diagram in my haynes manual. it is pretty vague.

is there a more detailed wiring diagram that shows the actual physical wiring, not just electrical?

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97 Ranger XLT extended cab 3.0 5 speed

Fixed it!!!!

I removed the trailer pigtail harness. Problem solved.

Huge thanks to fireranger for this suggestion.

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97 Ranger XLT extended cab 3.0 5 speed

I'm having the same issue
99 v6 3.0 extra cab.
When my headlights are off all of the blinkers and hazards work normally. As soon as I turn on running lights or headlights the driver side left both from and rear do not blink when the turn indicator is selected. The right side works fine in all lighting configurations. The hazards will also not work if the headlights are on. Can anyone please help me?! I've been mulling over this for a few weeks now... My brain hurts... 😔