[Maxwell21]

First, I’m new here and just got my 2013 451 about 5 days ago.

As I have been checking basic things out, cleaning, etc I have uncovered a few things.

• Original battery
• Rear passenger taillight had a leak and was nasty inside. Removed it, cleaned it, added a silicone sealant in hopes to prevent further issues
• Driver side headlight has some condensation in it
• Previous owner installed LED headlights and, for some reason, had wires ran from under the dash up to the headlights. One wire on each light replacing one of the other wires per side. I pulled these wires, reconnected original wiring and installed normal headlight bulbs.
• Passenger front turn signal wasn’t working so I replaced the bulb. Still doesn’t work. Getting rapid flashing on dash.

And now for the crazy.
Randomly the car will click a relay and the parking lights will turn on (while driving). Before replacing all the parts and wires it would light up the parking lights every time I hit the brakes! The parking lights in the front of the car! It may still do this, but I haven’t been able to test this. Randomly while braking the headlights would come on as well, just less frequent than the parking which was 100%.
Without even touching anything the car would randomly kick the lights and headlights on when sitting there. Like, I came out of the apartment and they would just start turning on and going off.
I’m loosing my mind. Please help me.

 

[Maxwell21]

No, they will not come on. But, because the car is strange it will turn them on without me in the car and without the key.

 

[Maxwell21]

I’m afraid what the cost of that would be to replace

 

[Maxwell21]

Kinda sounds like a bad Sam. I'd pull that and check for corrodes contacts and such

so, today I pulled the SAM unit out and cleaned it up. I did not see any broken points, but it was very dirty. I cleaned all the connections in the car, too. Very disgusting. Now both turn signals are rapid flashing.

So I bought 1 new relay to test the turn signals. It fixed the right turn signal if used in that slot, but does not fix the left turn signal when used in that position. I’m so confused.

 

[Maxwell21]

I think the turn signals are wired together with the brake lights. Could you have a rear bulb burnt out?

The rear lights work just fine. And yesterday the left front signal was working but the right was not - even after replacing the bulb. Today neither worked after cleaning the SAM and then the right works with a new relay.

 

[Maxwell21]

Welcome to SCoA.

Have you considered replacing the 8 year old 12V battery? At least have it tested to include under load?

I can look into testing it, but I would rather not replace it unless totally necessary. Wouldn’t all of this be running more so off the alternator after the car is running?

 

[Maxwell21]

smarts can be quirky as it relates to battery age/integrity and without "testing" how would you know if it is "totally necessary?"

Most auto parts stores provide FREE testing?

No, I understand that. And I do mean that I will have this checked.

 

[Maxwell21]

Ditto above.....Test your battery, see if your getting 12.4 volts from it. Have a load test done on the vehicle. Any auto parts store will perform one free of charge. That will make sure you alternator is charging.

You mentioned, you have aftermarket LED lighting. Go back to incandescent lighting. LED’s can play Havoc on your electrical system.

Well, it’s been more than a week now, but I replaced the battery considering how much everyone believes in it. Haha. Based on the replies here and other threads I decided to replace no matter what. Put the new one in and THEN tested the old battery. I kind of hate to say it, but the OEM battery still tested good. Haha!

However, after all of this neither turn signal worked properly. I swapped around the Relays and they started working. Doesn’t make any sense.

I have not noticed if the parking lights are coming on randomly while driving as before. The headlights do click on and off just a few seconds after starting the car. Every time. They cycle a couple times before staying off. I do not have the Auto lights Option on the switch.

 

[Maxwell21]

Also, I mentioned the LED lights but that I had replaced them with OEM to help remedy the issue. That didn’t help