Signal light problem

I have a 1994 Grand prix SE 4 door and always had problems with the signal lights since I bought it this past october, the 4 way work properly but the signal lights are slow and make a weird cranking sound when I put them on then they block to the off mode the all of a sudden come back on, I tried changing the fuse and the one originally in there was a 323 now I put a 552 as the garage told me it was the saem and they just plain dont work no more what could be the problem??

I have a 92 and the turn signals were working on and off, then I started to smell something burning and saw a puff of smoke coming from the column occasionally. I assumed there was a short in there, but didn't want to go to the expense of fixing it, so I just pulled the fuse. No more smoking, but of course no more turn signals. Oh well, cheaper this way, and it won't burn down. I have read on other forums about people having the same problem. Doubt this helps much, but you may look at 2carpros.com, there were some postings about turn signal issues there.