2004 V6 Vue

[goBoating]

Hello All,
My wife's 2004 V6 Vue (~50K miles) has a new trick. If the head lights are on, the left turn indicator stays lit.

If the headlights are not on, when you turn on a turn signal, the odometer LCD and radio display dim and brighten in sync with the blinker.

It appears that everything still works. (Come to think of it, I have not checked all the bulbs.)

What's up with that?

[VTchemist]

If you have checked all your bulbs and none are out, it may be the Body Control Module (BCM). It controls most of the lighting and electrical components. It's not a DIY; a dealer has to program it. Total cost is ~$400.

A first attempt to remedy the problem is to disconnect the battery for at least 30 minutes. The onboard computers will reset their memories. This may fix your problem.

You can search the site for BCM failures and see what other folks have seen and done with BCM problems.

[far2grumpy]

Hello All,
My wife's 2004 V6 Vue (~50K miles) has a new trick. If the head lights are on, the left turn indicator stays lit.

If the headlights are not on, when you turn on a turn signal, the odometer LCD and radio display dim and brighten in sync with the blinker.

It appears that everything still works. (Come to think of it, I have not checked all the bulbs.)

What's up with that?

I've attached a hazard flasher and turn signal schematic. There's at least one error on schematic as the right and left turn signal switches are reversed.

My prime suspect to cause this problem is if one of the combo left turn/park light bulbs are bad ... shorted.

A shorted bulb would provide a path for park light voltage to return to turn signal circuits.

[goBoating]

Hmmmm.... 'seems like I remember something about bulbs causing unexpected symptoms.

I'll check them.

And, thanks for the schematic and battery disconnect ideas.

[goBoating]

Finally got the Vue to the shop and they quickly identified the problem. The U-haul trailer hitch and wiring are to blame. The pig-tail wiring has a switching module of some sort that is after the Vue tail lights and before the end of the pig tail. U-Haul installed the the module (3" x 4" x 1/2" plastic encased) so that is was suspended just above the tail pipe where it likely got very hot. And, thus it got toasted, literally, and no longer works. Now, the Vue lights all work correctly and I just need to rework the pig tail wiring.

[far2grumpy]

Finally got the Vue to the shop and they quickly identified the problem. The U-haul trailer hitch and wiring are to blame. The pig-tail wiring has a switching module of some sort that is after the Vue tail lights and before the end of the pig tail. U-Haul installed the the module (3" x 4" x 1/2" plastic encased) so that is was suspended just above the tail pipe where it likely got very hot. And, thus it got toasted, literally, and no longer works. Now, the Vue lights all work correctly and I just need to rework the pig tail wiring.

goBoating ... good to see you're all fixed up.

I question why U-Haul installed trailer wiring underneath the Vue. One of the better options - especially if you use the typical four wire flat cables - is to wire into the pigtail provided in the jack stowage compartment.

You can leave the cable rolled up and out of the way until needed. The rear hatch weather seal will close over the cable when you deploy to use with a trailer.

[davcon]

battery disconnect is an old wives tail - does not work anymore.

[1saxman]

Finally got the Vue to the shop and they quickly identified the problem. The U-haul trailer hitch and wiring are to blame. The pig-tail wiring has a switching module of some sort that is after the Vue tail lights and before the end of the pig tail. U-Haul installed the the module (3" x 4" x 1/2" plastic encased) so that is was suspended just above the tail pipe where it likely got very hot. And, thus it got toasted, literally, and no longer works. Now, the Vue lights all work correctly and I just need to rework the pig tail wiring.

You should have told us about non-original electrical work/parts on the vehicle, since that would have been the prime suspect.