BAFFLED NO MORE!

My odd right turn signal issue has been resolved. After replacing my right rear turn signal bulb, the car continued to message “ malfunctioning turn signal”. It was a baffling issue, as I had replaced the rear and front bulbs, with genuine Dealer purchased bulbs.

Big thanks to @McJag222 for steering me in the right direction, regarding the two grounds near the right shock, as a possible cause.

I pulled the right wheel, and just to the inside frame, near the shock, is a Bolt, or inserted lugwith two eyelet grounds, going into the frame body. I had hoped that they would just need to be cleaned and a bit of DeOxit applied. But, as I attend my 12mm socket, to loosen the nut from the frame, the nut and threaded insert, literally fell off, with the grounds attached .(see photos) the red circling shows where the frame attachment was and the grounds.
the Yellow circling is the new temporary negative cable, attached at a second frame bolt.

Apparently, the steel insert that goes into the frame had simply corroded and was not giving a proper ground. Not sure if the ground lug, iIs staked into the frame, or it is a threaded lug, which to attach the ground wires.


I utilized a spare MC ground strap, which is too long, to make a temporary ground, affixed to the closest attachment to the frame. This will be very temporary, as I plan to have a competent shop, extract what is left of the sheared ground stud. I can then use a new bolt Ofer stud, to affix the two grounds to the frame.

I took a quick spin, and the right turn signal functions fine, and no warning message on the dash, for the turn signal malfunction.

Still getting the TPMS aware that alternates through all four tires. Not sure if this is related.

Again, big thanks to McJag222, who suggesting checking these grounds

 

Good news - exactly the issue I had bolt sheared.

What I did was drill and tap a hole (5/16) somewhat forward and reconnected the grounds lugs.

 

Thanks for that tip, as it may be easier, than trying to remove the old, broken bolt, from the frame.
I am assuming that your new drilling spot, was on the same level as the original?
Also, did you use an aluminum bolt, as a replacement, or steel.?

john

 

It's a bit lower on the frame. I just found a spot without to much of a bend in the wires. The frame is not that thick - I think I used a fine thread tap. I used a plated steel bolt and painted over the lugs/bolt to keep any water splash off it to discourage any corrosion. Four years later still good.

 

👍

 

I have a local shop that will do the drilling and tap, in a couple of weeks. When it’s completed, I plan to coat the exposed metal parts, with Liquid Electric tape.

 

Sounds good.

 

However…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion

 

Thanks Guy. I would not be surprised, if this is a causation for the issue that McJag222 and I experienced.

 

It absolutely is. You have a decision to make, do you want the corrosion on the car body? or the grounding stud?
I choose the stud.

 

Yeah, water, dissimilar metals slowly eating away at the stud itself. Once you have it sealed against water ingress I don't think you need to worry about.