02 Alero 3.4 V-6 Automati 98000 miles. Bought the car with 34,000 miles on it cruise control has never worked. Took it to a shop and the told me that it had to be the control module (thing that the cables go into) replaced it with no luck. When you push the button on the sterring wheel the light comes on but I noticed that it goes on and off. I was never able to get the word "cruise" to light up on the dash until today when I was driving down a gravel road and hit the "set" button the "cruise" light would come on and go off. I am guessing this is the "clock spring" but when I go to gmpartsdirect I am unable to find such a part....Is it called something else?

Also the turn signals only work part of the time. I had both of these problems on a Ford Aerostar and the clockspring fixed them both...Is it possible that the clockspring is also the problem here? I read about fixes for the emergency flashers and turn signals on the forums but mine does not make a clicking noise, nor have I had a problem with the emergency flashers.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The multifunction switch could be your problem. It is the part that the turn signal stalk connects to in the steering wheel, and is not cheap. I would try removing it and cleaning it before buying a new one.

First thing, the cruise control panel on the steering wheel has a button to turn it (the cruise control system) On/Off, a button to Set/Accelerate, and another to Coast/Resume. You depress the On/Off button to turn the cruise control system on, but the green "cruise" indicator in the instrument panel doesn't come on until you press the "Set" button (i think you have to be going at least 30mph) Then, the system is on and set, the green "cruise" indicator is lit, and the system will keep the speed up.
On these Aleros, many of the switches use little circuit boards with separate signal lines, ~ 1/16" apart. When you press the switch, you're pressing a little metal contact onto the lines to make the connection. The cruise control switches are like this, and so are the rear-view mirror controls. Over time, for some reason, these little metal contacts no longer work. Either there's gunk/crap on the lines, lubricant that's turned into gunk/crap, or the "gold-plated" contacts weren't actually plated with gold (that's my theory). On my 2000 Alero, my crusie control was acting just like yours; I took took the switch (on the steering wheel) apart, cleaned the contacts/lines, and it would work for awhile and then quit. I eventually just put a little bit of solder on the On/Off signal lines (where the On/off contact meets the lines) so that the cruise control system is permanently On. This has worked for about two years now, its OK since you still have to "set" the speed to activate the cruise control.

The multi-function switch is similar in that there's a lot of sliding copper contacts with lubricant that can get gunked up. I also had probs with this, you can take the multi-function switch off the steering wheel (it comes off as one unit with the turnsignal, windshield wiper, etc) controls. I recommend taking it off, take it inside (kitchen table is good), put a big sheet of white paper down so you can see things better, and catch any springs or contacts that may (will) go flying if you're not careful. Take all the screws out and gently pry the plastic halves apart. Wipe all the contact areas to remove any built-up gunk. I remember there being one or two springs that had to be re-positioned before re-assembly. It sounds complicated but its not too bad, just go slow, and think how much you're saving by not buying a new one.
I don't remember having to take off the airbag do either of these things, but if you do make sure you disconnect the battery first, and there's an airbag connector in the driver's side fuse panel (yellow connector, should have a warning label on it) that you also need to unhook before messsing with the airbag.

I appreciate the replies but I am not convinced that my cruise problem is switch related does anyone know the correct name for the clockspring?

It still sounds like dirty/intermittent contacts to me.... and two separate problems. Turn signals/wipers (MFS) don't go through clockspring since they aren't mounted on steering wheel and don't rotate with it. Cruise, airbag, and radio-control (if you've got it) do. A lot has been written up on similar probs with Pontiac GrandAms, here are some links; a lot (not all) of the parts are the same for GrandAms and Aleros.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=702900&highlight=clockspring (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=702900&highlight=clockspring)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=5962107#post5962107 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=5962107#post5962107)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=665276&highlight=clockspring (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=665276&highlight=clockspring)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=665258 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=665258)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=639574&highlight=clockspring (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=639574&highlight=clockspring)

Careful with the airbag... Hope this helps.

Thanks for the links! Very helpful. I will post an update of my progress, going to start with the mfs.

Well the MFS fix didn't work for me must be the hazard/turn signal relay. When I first put it back together the blinkers worked took a short trip and they quit. Hit the hazard lights and they worked but I never left them on for very long nor did I hit the button multiple times so after doing so I noticed that the hazard lights would only work part of the time or work for a minute then quit. I hope this is covered under the recall that would be nice.

I wish I had posted these problems as two seperate posts. Still convinced the clockspring is my other problem. I can get the amber light to come on on the left side of the steering wheel and button stays in, move the wheel and the light goes out. Sitting still I can hit the set button on the right and the word "cruise" lights up on the dash but since I am not moving it goes back out. Tested the brake switch by holding the brake and hitting the button and the light wont come on and when I release the brake I hear a click then I can get the light to come back on again.

I know you guys dont like negative posts but omg can you say POS! I am on my third hub on one side of the car and second one on the other. My daughter just had to have this Alero... what a mistake. No wonder we are loaning GM money.

I feel your pain. I bought mine for my daughters to drive to/from high school. Had 52K miles on it, ran great, looked sharp (bright red, with upgrade wheels and spoiler on trunk lid) got 23 city/31 highway(using cruise control). When probs started I found these "automotiveforums", and really wished I'd known more before I bought. Now I know what "LIM" stands for. I really like the "design" of these cars, all the extra features; but they really went the cheap route on so many of the parts. I just had it into Tire Kingdom for rotate/balance; when I came to pick it up, I wondered why the hood was up. Evidently, even those guys are doing headgasket & LIM replacements on the 3400's (oh, we've done hundreds...) I had to shoo them away. No oil in the coolant! No coolant in the oil! Go away! It's got 146k on it now, if it makes it through spring of next year I'll take it out and shoot it.

How's that for being positive?

haha I had forgotten about the intake gasket and dexcool, I actually recieved a check from the settlement on it. The shop that did the work forgot to replace the o-ring on the fuel line and returned the car to us leaking gas. When I called them about it they said it wasn't leaking gas when it left their shop, took it back to them and they still said it wasn't leaking so I asked them if they drove it. After driving it they finally smelled the fuel and fixed it, ahh the frusterations of it all.

My Cruise switch on the steering wheel broke inside. I held it down and put a dab of crazy glue to hold it down. The light now stays on the little switch but thats no big deal, my cruise now works, try holding your cruise button down to turn it on and while holding it press cruise to see if it holds a speed. Be careful and watch the road while doing it lol.