I have a 2000 Malibu with the 3.1 V6, it's my moms driver and it just hit 210,000 miles. Anyways, the blinker will blink even without engaging the control. It will sound but no light. Let me try to explain it. Randomly it will make the blinker sound but not engage the light. Is this a hard fix? Just curious.

If you do a search there is an article that explains how to remove the multi-function switch and clean them with electrical cleaner. I have not tried this so I couldn't tell you what the success rate is.

This is very common in many gm products. What happens is the white wire from the hazard/flasher module is being grounded in the turn signal (multi-function) switch. Since the pathway to the turn signal bulbs is not complete the flasher will click but the lights will never come on.

I replace a lot of these with this same complaint.

also have a 2000 malibu with turn signal/hazard switch issues. should i concentrate on hazard switch replacement or turn signal switch?