Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

This is the first time I am trying to get a question out there to forum enthusiasts. In advance, thanks for any help. In my L400 when I put my left turnal signal on (not in neutral or right turn positions) many weird things happen (too long to list) such as cassette player (factory unit) and speedo/multi-meter lights flash off/on with each left turn on/off cycle, and left signal lightly glows right side parking light. **Worse, when transmission is just about to upshift from 3rd to 4th in a low load scenario, it upshifts then downshifts repeatedly with each click of the left blinker! W/ some local "specialist" advice they recommend replacement of the $450 multi-function steering column switch. Yah right! I disassembled that, re-faced the switch contacts, re-greased it (dielectric grease) which eliminated some original symptoms but still have many remaining left turning issues. Could it be the flasher relay shorting to ground? Oddly, the left signal itself works fine. Even stranger, all symptoms disappear when headlights are turned on! Please help (Jeff)

Did you have a new stereo recently installed? We've had these kinds of problems after a stereo-install.

Or, who installed your DRL module and where did they install it? If the symptoms disappear when the headlights come on, I would suspect that.

hello, this might seem a bit obvious, but y not drive always with ur lights on and be safer, and relieve ur symptoms at same time.....dont worry be happy......

Whenever anything weird starts happening with lights I always check all the grounds first. Although I've never had one shift my tranny for me, that would be a first!
Andy

I second checking the grounds, anytime other things are lighting up when using an accessory, it is usually because it is sourcing a ground through a different circut. I would first check the grounds on the front and rear turn signal lites(the side that is acting funny) then check the grounds to the relay, and to the signal switch. My opinion anyways.

Jason

Have you got trailer wiring? If so that may be part of the issue.
But grounding is the most likely suspect.

Hi Folks, You might see a second similar reply by mistake. I drafted one earlier but it "disappeared" on me. Thanks to many of you for great ideas re. my left turn signal issues on my L400. Yes, I do have trailer wiring that I set up when I bought the van nearly a yr ago w/ no probs. And Yes, when I purchased it from Coombs Country Auto they installed an electronic controller of some sort for the headlights. That from the beginning literally "hums"/buzzes but I was told it would and was normal. Many of you suggested ground issues. Yes, I think you likely are right at this point. That will be my next direction. As I said in my original posting, I had refaced and relubricated (dielectric grease) the switch contacts etc. in the the multi-function switch in the steering column. It did nothing to correct the left turn signal issues. Today I replaced the left flasher with an "HD 13" unit which a local Delica parts supplier said was the correct cross referenced part. On installation it immediately fried the 10 amp fuse. I replaced the fuse and reinstalled the original flasher which still works but with same left turn related issues. I'll let you know if I find a bad ground. Any new ideas???? Thanks again, Jeff.

Disconnect the trailer adapter before going any further.
It has a lot of circuits in common with your issues and must be eliminated as the possible problem before going any further.

Now that I know you have a trailer plug, I too recommend you disconnect that and then see if you still have the symptoms.

If the trailer plug is your problem, when you reinstall it, get a powered trailer wiring unit like this one - it'll prevent problems like it sounds like you're having now.

Disconnect the DRL module that is 'buzzing'. Buzzing is not normal.

The L300/L400's are known to have problems after installing DRL modules hooked up to the combination switch. This is common and the reason why many do not touch the combo switch. Instead, bypass it completely leaving it stock and run separate DRL's.

My guess is your combo switch is fried. But hopefully it's just a ground issue somewhere.

Hi Guys, Hey, lots of GREAT advice which led to solving the weird Left turn sig. issues, Yes, including causing the van trying to shift up/down repeatedly from 3rd to 4th under light load when the left blinker was on. It was a fried after-market trailer hitch wiring module! I originally did not suspect that since it worked from installation for 8 months or so and I haven't even used the trailer for about 4 months. It somehow fried on its own. As soon as I cut the left turn wire an inch from the module, ALL symptoms disappeared. Well, I now understand nearly all my electrics on this van and have them cleaned up so in the end, I guess it was all worth it. (????) Thanks again for all your help!!!!!!!! Jeff

So this is a very old post but I thought I’d check anyway.
Heck you might not have the van any more by now… but

I’m having exactly the same issue, and disconnecting the fried trailer box solved it.
I’ve installed a new one, a similar type, combines the turn signals and brake lights for the trailer.
The original problem has not come back yet, but I suspect it will.
When the turn signals are activated the dash lights pulse with them ever so slightly and when I put the hazard lights on the tail/brake lights in the rear door flash dimly, when I measured voltage at the trailer wiring box and at the tail lights I find 2 to 2.5 volts where there should be none.
This is why I suspect the problem will eventually return.

So my question is, has anyone else encountered this ? Did you find a fix?

And for the original poster of this thread, what was your solution for trailer lights after you discovered it was the trailer combination box that caused it? Did you go with the powered unit?

Thanks!