Tick, tick ---tick, tick -- tick, tick

[polarzak]

Daughter's 2003 Grand Am has a ticking in the dash. It sounds like the directional is ticking or the fours ways are flashing, but there is no bulb activity, just the ticking. Not all the time, but intermittently for a few minutes and then it stops. Again, none of the lights are blinking, just this ticking, and if she does use the directionals or the 4 ways, they work fine..
I think it is the relay ticking, but wouldn't it make the lights blink if it was defective? Can someone point me to the relay so I can at least get my ear to it and see if it is the culprit.

Thanks.

[rtobrian]

Very common problem. It's the multi-function switch inside the steering column. I bought mine at Napa for around $100 and no problems since.

[polarzak]

Yes, that was a afterthought also. Thanks for the confirmation.

[polarzak]

Just in case anyone else has this problem, you can try to fix the problem without having to buy a new switch. What seems to be the problem is contaminated grease in the switch. Cleaned it up, added some dielectric grease, and the switch works fine now and no tick tick.
I found this site this morning and followed the instructions and it seems I saved myself $100. It is real easy to do.

http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Grand-Am-Turn-Signals