Crazy Signal/Hazard problem 2005 Grand Am SE

[stewart30144]

Ok, my girlfriend takes her 05 on a trip, comes back and the flasher is clicking intermittently, but not flashing any lights! The signals and hazards work fine and then it clicks rythmically as it should. Now, while driving with no signals on it'll click-click-click several times then stop for a second then maybe 3 clicks, maybe thirty! The clicks are faster than usual, like when you have a bulb out. Any ideas?

[xeroinfinity]

Could be a defedtive hazzard switch.

Sometime if the multi function switch is faulty it can do this, but this is an 05', I doubt it would be bad just yet.
Though it is another posibility.

Hop that helps.

[stewart30144]

I tried wiggling both the hazard and turn switch and it didn't seem to have any effect. When it is clicking there are no lights flashing, that is the strange part. I'm wondering if some sort of ground has come loose, the hazards and turn signal lights all work perfectly. This is a real strange one....

[xeroinfinity]

The problems with the hazzard switch was they were defective .
Thiers several TSB's on this matter.

If you search the GA forums you will find its common from 01+.
This link might have them listed.

<Edit>
Sorry that link didnt work.
Though Not all of the 05's are even listed yet in the TSB reports I looked at today.

[SnipesXxX]

My GF's 2000 SE did the same thing last year. We thought it was the switch above the radio and replaced it with a new one from the dealer for $25 and still didn't fix it. At first it was bad(alot of clicking) but over the course of a week or two it quit for the most part. Sometimes it will click once or twice. Sometimes the turn signals won't work and you have to hit the hazard switch a couple times really fast to get it working again.

[stewart30144]

Did a search and found references to contaminated grease in the multifunction switch. Well, took hers out and it didn't look all that bad but I cleaned out all of the original grease, especially between the contacts, re-greased with dielectric grease and it fixed it! All in all a 30 minute fix for no $.

[keenr]

Where is the "multifunction switch" located?

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by keenr

Where is the "multifunction switch" located?

The MFS is the headlight wiper switches.

and welcome to AF.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by stewart30144

Did a search and found references to contaminated grease in the multifunction switch. Well, took hers out and it didn't look all that bad but I cleaned out all of the original grease, especially between the contacts, re-greased with dielectric grease and it fixed it! All in all a 30 minute fix for no $.

It worked for me too on a '02 Olds Alero GL2. Took it apart, used electrical contact cleaner/degreaser on the MFS and then G661 silicone lube. Works like a champ now. No more annoying ticking/clicking sound.

[xeroinfinity]

Must be heat related Bob.
I dont see many problems up here.

Seems most people with this trouble are in the south where the summers are hotter.

Just my hypothisis

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Must be heat related Bob.
I dont see many problems up here.

Seems most people with this trouble are in the south where the summers are hotter.

Just my hypothisis

It is possible JC. Maybe the old contact grease GM used drips off from the heat. I'm glad it is fixed. The noise was driving me crazy.

Plus now I don't have to worry about taking it to the stealership for the free hazard relay fix/recall. It would not have fixed the problem anyways and they would have come up with a way to charge me for unnecessary work and parts. You know how that story goes.

BTW - The P.O.S. MFS is made by TRW for GM in Mexico.

[xeroinfinity]

Everythings made in Mexico, didnt you know that ?
Both of mine say made in the USA(cananda)

Yours have the green grease Bob ?
Mine have white, which I believe is silicone DE.

Most of the Hazzard swithes I have seen are all 01+ N-bodies.
Someone realy save a buck when they built these cars

[keenr]

I live in southern Ontario, Canada. I have the same problem. It appears to happen when it's hot, mine started at the end of summer '06. This past winter I had no problems with it at all. Now that it's been a llittle warmer, it's started again.

[xeroinfinity]

Probly cleaning it will help.

Silicone dielectric grease is what to use as a replacement.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Probly cleaning it will help.

Silicone dielectric grease is what to use as a replacement.

I agree JC. What do you have to lose by cleaning and using some good DE silicone lube. I used the professional grade stuff from work which also meets mil standard specs. The G661 silicone is a lubricant, rubber and plastic preservative, waterproof and dielectric. We use this stuff on XRay tube installation where up to 300K volts is generated. On the cleaner a good commercial grade degreaser and electrical contact is best. I didn't even bother to disassemble the MFS switch. No Torx bits that small. I just sprayed the turn signal side of the switch out and let it dry a few hours. Shaking out any possible residual. Then squeezed the silicone lube into the backside where the slots are and into the area where the stalk is located.

It has been 5 days now and no clicking. Nothing like saving money $$$$.