98 Blazer ls clicking from passenger side of dash

[ropergilson]

Im helping a friend out with his Blazer, he just got it used and what we noticed is there is a clicking coming form the passenger side dash, sound like a relay, or the turn signal clicker. It does this at random time for no reason, and sometimes really rapidly. Nothing seems affected, signals work, lights work, everything seems fine, its just really annoying.

[Jeremy Fitch]

Originally Posted by ropergilson

Im helping a friend out with his Blazer, he just got it used and what we noticed is there is a clicking coming form the passenger side dash, sound like a relay, or the turn signal clicker. It does this at random time for no reason, and sometimes really rapidly. Nothing seems affected, signals work, lights work, everything seems fine, its just really annoying.

There are various relays behind the cover inside the glove box. One of them is the fuel pump relay.

[blazee]

That's a fairly common problem. It's usually the turn signal/ hazard light relay that is clicking. Some have been able to solve it by simply replacing the relay, but most of the time it requires a replacement of the multifunction switch (turn signal/ wiper/ headlight switch on the steering column). A lot of them have problems with the grease inside running down and shorting the contacts, at certain times you may see smoke come out of the steering column.

[DRGREENTHUMB1001]

My Blazer recently started doing this too. Where is the multi-function switch located and is ti just a plug-in type of thing. Do I hafta take the dash or steering column apart?
thanks :

[ropergilson]

Shortly after posting, the problem fixed itself, must have been the grease problem mentioned. Just hope it doesnt come back!

[DRGREENTHUMB1001]

it will come back. mine stopped clicking fo while, now it doesn't stop.

[dbldown768]

funny i saw this post and thought nothing of it.... then yesterday i was driving home from work and i heard this damn clicking sound. I thought maybe since it has been getting colder it had something to do with the heat being on in the car - that wasnt it. I didnt have any turn signals on, as i can usually hear that relay when the signal is on, so i have no idea where this is coming from.

I guess ill just turn up the radio to drown out that noise along with all the rest of them.

[riccbhard]

Just so anyone here knows this is the location of the turn signal flasher in the '98 Blazer (behind glovebox):

[Eslhockey92g]

My sis has a 99 Blazer with the same "turn signal" clicking sound from behind the radio area. I took it to a GM dealer and they said it was the muiltswitch. After about 4 weeks of her complaing about it i made her get it fixed the GM dealer tossed in a mulitswtich and no more clicking, so that fixed her problem.

[riccbhard]

Yes; the multifunction switch has a known problem of grease running from the switch into the contacts causing constant low-current clicking of the flasher.

Dont get this confused with a metallic "pa-ting" when the temperature changes inside or outside the vehicle; this is caused by expansion of the various metal parts behind the dash and is normal. This occurs nowhere near as often as the turn signal clicking, and that's how to usually tell the difference.

I've heard the metallic sound a few times in roughly 20 minutes. Some people may mistake this for a intermittant problem of the turn signal. The turn signal/multifuntion switch problem sounds like you have the turn signal on constantly; clicking one or two times a second.

[blazed]

Hello all. I am so glad to find this forum. I have had the passenger side clicking as well. And also the intermittent wiper issue that seems to happen to a lot of people.
With the signal clicking noise, would it be best to replace the switch behind the gove box or the actual signal/wiper switch on the steering console?

any advice is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by riccbhard

Yes; the multifunction switch has a known problem of grease running from the switch into the contacts causing constant low-current clicking of the flasher.

Dont get this confused with a metallic "pa-ting" when the temperature changes inside or outside the vehicle; this is caused by expansion of the various metal parts behind the dash and is normal. This occurs nowhere near as often as the turn signal clicking, and that's how to usually tell the difference.

I've heard the metallic sound a few times in roughly 20 minutes. Some people may mistake this for a intermittant problem of the turn signal. The turn signal/multifuntion switch problem sounds like you have the turn signal on constantly; clicking one or two times a second.

[riccbhard]

If your's is clicking constantly like everybody else's, it's probably the multifunction switch (switch on steering column).

[blazed]

Thanks riccbhard. This sounds expensive! Do you think this would fix my intermittent wipers as well or is that a different issue? They stop in mid stroke or do not stop at all sometimes.

thanks again

Originally Posted by riccbhard

If your's is clicking constantly like everybody else's, it's probably the multifunction switch (switch on steering column).

[riccbhard]

I would think; but i'm not sure that the switch could be the cause of the wipers; however since it controls them it very well could be.

[riccbhard]

If you havent got a multifunction switch yet , www.rockauto.com probably has one for a little cheaper. For example; one for our '98 is $105 from Rockauto while the one from the dealer is much more.

It's listed under - Electrical-Switch & Relay > Dimmer/Multifunction Switch