We bought it a couple weeks ago, and knew when we bought it that the turn signals were out....but i guess my boyfriend didn't think it was a big deal to fix...i took it in for an estimate...and the guy said that it needs a new "turn signal switch".....and told me it would be $300.... is that something you can get at the junk yard?? does it have to be new? Is that the only thing it could be? The arrows don't even light up on the dash......and it doesn't click........

any advice would be greatly appreciated...

Don't get a junk yard part, as these are a common problem and chances are it will be bad too. Replacing the switch will require the removal of the air bag and steering wheel, so if you're not comfortable working around an air bag, take it in. It's about a 2 hour job and more frustrating (cramped work area, threading the harness down the column, etc...) than technically difficult so it can be a DIY job. Just make sure you know what you're doing with the air bag, you don't want to accidentally deploy it.

How much do turn signal switches run?

the part its self is very cheap around 60bux its the labour involved doing it

There are two differnt switches depending on if you have the steering wheel accessory controls. the one w/o runs $40'ish and the one with runs $60'ish.

The switch can actually be found much cheaper on ebay, but I'm unsure of the brand it would be (if that even matters). I have to agree with Rich on this one, I got a used one from the junkyard for around $5 and paid $25 to have it installed (no airbag), however after about a year it's started acting up again. Go new.

I had this problem just last month. I went to autozone and picked one up and installed it myself. as long as you take your time and dont get too frustrated, its not that hard to change it out. The only problem I really had was getting the steering wheel back on because of the spring pressure. Other than that, it was really pretty simple and you would then get to save that other 250 bucks for something else you may want.

Ok... well... last night we had a mechanic/friend come over and he messed with some connections and now they semi-work........if you click it all the way up/down...it won't work... but if you hold it at the point right before it clicks....it works......... did that make sense? LOL.... in otherwords it works manually............... what does that mean? is it still the switch?

Yep, it's still the switch. Mine did the same thing for a little while, then after about a month it stopped working all together. For some reason the connections in the switch get corroded and they will work like that for a little while, but it will eventually go dead. You may be able to use it like that for a while, but the switch is still bad and will have to be replaced eventually.

Ok... well... last night we had a mechanic/friend come over and he messed with some connections and now they semi-work........if you click it all the way up/down...it won't work... but if you hold it at the point right before it clicks....it works......... did that make sense? LOL.... in otherwords it works manually............... what does that mean? is it still the switch?

Hey Kiz, had same prob. with wife's '97. Couple of cautions. Yes you can get the part at AZ, for about 47-52 bux. However when you install it, or have it installed, make sure when you connect the turn signal lever, you check the travel before you install airbag coil. I ended up doing the job about 5 times (and taking the 1st switch back to get another one) because there was just enough slop inside the column with my turn signal lever that it would actually slide the switch past the stops and separate it. Once it separates it stops working. You do need to address this because it also affects your brake lights. If your switch is really bad, you'll notice that the only brake light that comes on is the upper high-side light. What I ended up doing was fabricating some shims for each end of the wiper travel inside the column to limit the overtravel, and prevent the switch from separating. You'll see what I mean when you buy the new switch. it's just a circular wipe-type switch. Also you'll need to rent the little plate spring compressing tool at AZ as well. It's 15 bux, you get your money back if/when you return it. No return, it's yours bought & paid for. I actually decided to keep the wheel puller and spring tools that I "rented" as I got tired of driving back/forth and was unsure of my fabrication. But 8 months later she's still doing fine.
Hope this helps.