UH OH - We have a wiring gremlin!! Foglight switch is now turn signals!!!

[longhornsqx4]

So Ive noticed this problem before. This is in an 01 Qx4

You know how you turn the little dial on the left of the wheel to turn the fogs on. Well recently, when I do that, my passenger side fog light comes on, but on the drivers side, it illuminates the TURN SIGNAL, constant. When I have it running that way, the right arrow for the turn signals on the gauge cluster stays solid lit.

But my turn signals, both left and right, still function properly when tripped.

Why would my freakin turn signal bulb be coming on and not my fog light?

This happened last year to, but it fixed itself I guess as it was working for a while, I turned them on a few nights ago, and saw the right arrow illuminated again and saw that it was acting this way again

Thanks for any help much appreciated

[WINNIPEGS_MOST_WANTED]

Could be a burnt out bulb? I know on some vehicles if a turn signal is burnt out it stays on solid when you signal. Perhaps the foglight is burnt out?

Have you checked the fuses?

[volp]

Sounds like a short in the wiring, fog light wire is touching the turn signal wire? Does the fog light blink when you have your signal on?

[fueler]

im guessing you have a problem in the "stalk" meaning the lever for the turn sigtnals. Its a bunch of tiny wires in there.... basically something is touching that shouldnt be

ive seen one pathfi nder owner that had all the wires torn up in there causing similar problems

[longhornsqx4]

Well when its screwing up like this, Im pretty sure the foglight bulb doesnt turn on when I signal, the signal bulb just goes from constantly being on, and starts blinking until you stop it

Fueler, how would i check those connections? can the exterior of the stalk be removed? I couldnt see any screws for it

[longhornsqx4]

anyone know, id love to have it fixed

[KyooX4]

Ground problem perhaps?

[W O T]

Is it possible to tap into the wiring from the working foglight and run it to the one that isnt?

Someone else might be able to shed some light on that one

[Buzzman]

Can the exterior of the stalk be removed? I couldn't see any screws for it

The stalk is basically one solid unit, very easy to replace.It's probably not worth trying to take it apart to troubleshoot.I would just get another one and swap it out. Either a used one from a junker, or a new one from a dealer or mail order company.I replaced mine when I added fog lights, and it's a ten minute job.You only have to remove the top half steering column cover, and the stalk pops out.