celica blinkers driving me nuts

Did you check the earth for your headlights?

If the flasher was bad, you would have the same thing on the left and right side. I think that the left side ground is bad or you have a bad bulb. Another possibility is the combination switch. You will need a wiring diagram to properly diagnose the condition.

In my experience, the rapid flashing indicates a poor or nil ground at the bulb. I occasionally have this in the front turn signals of the 97 Camry. I solved it in a very professional manner...I leave the flasher flashing, exit the car and give the area where the flasher is misbehaving a good flathanded bitch slap, and that's the end of it....and it works fine for the next six weeks or so, until I have to spank it again.

Hey! Don't give out the pro's secrets!!!

I do not know offhand which wire in the connector is the ground so yes, the best way is to test.

Yes, you can just run another ground wire to the body. Use the same or thicker gauge wire. I would just loosen a nearby bolt or screw, attach a lug connector, and ground it under the bolt/screw head. There is no need to ground it to the engine.

The fuse probably blew because you grounded a hot wire instead of the ground wire.

A turn signal lamp that is not continuously is a sign of a burnt bulb. I would change the front turn signal bulb.