Intermittent Lights Problem - 80 Series Landcruiser

First check would be the trailer socket and associated wiring, a short here will feed back into the car.
Second would be a gander at the wiring diagram for a common point for both which I can't think of as they are seperate circuits.
A common problem with cruisers when they get older is the hazard switch gets dust in it and the indicators stop working, usually fixed by activating the hazard switch a few times, doesn't sound like this is your problem though.

might not be your problem but when I bought mine which is a turbo diesel I had a lot of funny things happen to rear lights. My problem was dirty terminal plug connection down near the starter.
probably not what is causing yours to mis behave but I was checking t the lights and the switches and would never have thought to check this plug. I had electrics thats why now I take the easy way out and just go to the auto electricians

Do the lights on your dashboard light up as well and then go of after a period of time ?

Probably a good clean of earth contacts would help also.

start from the battery end and clean all earth connection and check each time to see if it eliminates the problem.

I have a 94 80 series with similar thing - warning lights coming on and off....read on that lcool website that the altinator has something to do with warning lights coming on and off as they please.....but must admit i havent fixed our problem purely because i have no idea on where to start to fix the problem and Nathan thinks I just talk crap....

Going to give it a shot so will let you know...unless we sell it first!!

Laura

Hi Brian, When I had a similar problem the dash lights came on. The fault was traced to the alternator regulator connection.

Brian

Just a long shot - you haven't fitted an electric trailer brake controller have you? They sometimes do funny things to stop lights etc, though generally to Fords.

Like the others have said, I'd chase earth points all around the car, starting with the trailer plug, under the back, around the tail lights, fuse boxes etc etc.


As you go, undo and clean them with fine emery paper, then fasten tightly back on the car. Mate of mine had mysterious problems (like stopping at random) in a Discovery one time, and we found an earth point just down low by the main battery. It took up about a half a turn and solved the problem.

Max

Had a VF Valiant 25 years back and had a similar type problem. Put the indicators on to turn right and the headlights would flash, ( interesting at night ) Brakes on and the indicators would flash..

Finally notices that there was a loose earth strap on the motor..

Yes some vehicles actually need 2 good solid earth straps.
One from the battery ( -ve ) to the chassis, and another to the motor itself.
Problem solved.

Just recently the 03 Navara, had a dead battery, almost 4 years old I thougth, battery stuffed, so in goes another new battery, only to find out same thing..

Finally took it to Autolec, and he run a heavy cable from the -ve on the battery to the motor itself, and bingo ,,, FIXED

Der me ! ,,,,,,,I thought,,,, but its apparently a common enuf problem.
Think of it this way ,,, everything is painted, therefore a poor earth from the start, then chuck in a couple years of wear and tear, then it shytes itself ..

Let me know how it goes !

Cheers
Bucky