2005 Grand Am turn indicator clicker possessed!

Hi!

Turn indicators continue to work just fine but the clicker for the indicators has been possessed by the infamous may-never-stop-clicking demon (:evillol: ). The clicking is coming from somewhere in the center of the dashboard. Probably some little 25¢ module.

I've checked with the dealer and I'm told it'll cost me hundreds of dollars to have the clicker unit replaced.

I've tried to find wiring diagrams so I could consider eliminating the clicker from the turn indicator circuit (just bypassing the clicker) but I've been unable to find anything.

Has anyone else run into the demonic turn indicator clicker and figured out a way to silence that beasty without causing problems with the turn indicator circuit itself?

Pleeeeeeeeeeeease help! I'm close enough to insane already and this intermittent but almost constant clicking is finishing the job.

Thank you!!!

wc

:screwy:

Welcome to AF!

This is a common problem on certain GA's usually the 01-03'.

ITs part of the hazzard button on your radio bezel.
It has a red triangle on it.

Remove the bezel and replace the blinker module.
Three 5.5mm screws hold it onto the backside.

They were covered under a warrnty/safety issue on the older models, sounds like the person you talked to was jacking you for some xmas ca$$h :shakehead

Here is a link with some of the removal procedures for that bezel. Pics too.
Grand Am Disassembly (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=625047)

Fantastic detail and information! Thank you!!

I'll get in there this weekend and get that little dude outa there!

Really appreciate your help!!

:rofl:

No Prob ! :cool:

I'm baaaaa-aaaaack.

I followed your instructions, Xero, and replaced the blinker module quite easily. Thank you so much!!!

Unfortunately, when I tried it out with the brand new module installed, the demon clicker remained.

So I'm trying to logically troubleshoot this puppy and I'm left with two possible solutions (at least that I can think of):

1. If the problem isn't in the receiving unit, it must be in the sending unit. My follow-up question if that's the case is, how do I remove the skins from the turn indicator and steering wheel/column to access the turn indicator unit itself to see if there's an intermittent short? Can you help me with that?

2. If it's not the receiving or the sending units, it's got to be an intermittent short of some kind in the circuit between the two, right? And to reach that, I assume I'm taking apart the dash board. If that's the case, I'll just live with the demon clicker.

But I'd sure appreciate any instruction you might offer about removing the skins on the turn indicator and steering assembly as well as any suggestions you might have for some other solution than the ones I've come up with.

Thanks again for your patient help!!!

Will

Your GA is a 2005 , doesnt it still have a warrnty left?

Though being an, 05' I highly doubt your switch is the problem here.
Might need to make a trip to the stealership. :yikes:

Thier are also fuses for the hazzard/turn signals, drivers side FB and under the hood.
Also check and make sure all your outside lights/markers are working, esspecially the tail lights.

** Caution working around the air bag/steering wheel area.
You probly should pull the air bag fuse just in case.
It would suck for it to blow with your head in front of it :eek7:
But to remove the multifunction switches you need to remove the plastic covers behind the steering wheel(which is out lined in the Disassembly procedures) its easy to remove.

Thiers Three(3) #T25 torx screws on the under side of the column piece (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/xeroinfinity/11X17RW24/St-colmcovr.jpg)behind the steering wheel.
Once removed the two halves pull apart like a clam shell(kinda). The top part will come right off, the bottom is tricky because of the tilt lever.

The MF switch is held in with one screw right on top in the center, carefully disconnect the electrical connectors as you pull the switch out/off.

Thier is a procedure to test the hazzard switch and the multifunction switch,
but I dont know it off hand and thiers quite a bit of things involved.

If your turn signal demon is still present, here is your solution!

My 01 Grand Am had this same problem and many others that I've talked to have had the same problem on others years as well.

It's been a year since I've done this, but here are the basics. Take the plastic clam-shell off the top of the steering column. This will simply pull apart with a little effort. You will probably need a small screw driver of some kind to take out the screws holding the turn signal/wiper control machanism. There are also a couple of electrical connections that need to be disconnected. Make sure that it pulls out smoothly, don't try and force it. I don't know how much they cost to replace but what a hassle that would be. Anyway, once you've got that out take it inside so you can take it apart over a counter or table with good lighting. Remove the screws holding the two halves together. NOTE: there is a small spring that might come out of one of the sides, make sure you get that back in and don't lose it. Now you should see the contacts that make the turn and wiper levers work. Very likely you will see the contacts covered in a copious amount of grease. Clean that off with some Q-tips or something non-abrasive like a can of compressed air. Keep enough grease on there to retain smooth operation of levers. Reassemble and reinstall in car. NOTE: there may be a small pin on the top of the steering column that has to be pushed in to allow the mechanism to slide back in. There are also guides to make sure its seated properly.

This worked like a charm for me and I didn't have to hassle with some dealer who wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to replace everything.

Good luck!:smooch: