I did a cursory search of the forum, but returned so many possibilities (since my situation has multiple similar issues to several different posted problems) that hopefully no one will mind if I'm duplicating another post.

-----

I left my 2005 TL overnight at a friend's place during a drunken night out. I came back the next day to the lights flashing (apparently the horn had been joining in, off-and-on, for over an hour according to his neighbor), the brake lights no longer working, locked in park (obviously associated), with the "VSA" and "!" lights in the dash lit up.

When I drove it home, I realized I could turn on the Cruise Control computer, but I couldn't set a speed for it...and the passenger front door "open" sensor would go off a lot during turns, braking, and acceleration...even more so if the A/C was on (although the door sensor very occasionally would go off over the past few months, anyway). Yeah, obviously SOME kind of general electrical system issue.

Hoping against hope, I tried replacing the brake light switch on the brake pedal since TL's have a problem with that, but to no avail. I even checked most of the fuses, just in case. I know those only explain individual issues...but I was JUST trying to get my car street legal again. A friend suggested it might be a multiplex control issue, but I thought those were specific to the doors...?

Any suggestions before I hand it over to the shop? I'm barely scraping by as it is. And thank you in advance...especially if I'm bitching about something you all have answered a thousand times already.

 

is there an aftermarket alarm?

 

A bad battery can cause a lot of electrical issues in the TL that you wouldn't think it would. Worth a look. Disconnect the battery for 5 mins to let the ECU reset and see if you still have the issues. Many auto part stores will test it for you for free.

 

Nah...this is the factory version, I think. I bought this from an independent dealer, who I'm assuming got it from an auction/wholesale and didn't mention anything about add-ons. Granted, I realized it has an aftermarket air-intake, but that's the only mod I've seen on it.

I'll try out the battery idea. Thanks!

 

BTW, I've replaced the battery before...and when the old one was dying, I didn't have electrical system issues. So I'm inclined to think that isn't the problem. But I'll still give it a whirl.