Hazard/Turn Signal Relay Replacment ?

[CdnCowgirl]

Hello Everyone:

I have read numerous posts here on problems with a continous clicking noise usually beginning after turning the signal lights off. The noise seems to come from the Hazard Light Button. We have checked with the dealer on this, and are told our 1999 Alero is not covered.

Has anyone sucessfully replaced this relay and corrected this problem? I am assuming it is a relay, due to the posts here I have read. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. The local dealer wants $330.00 plus to 'fix' the issue, which is outragous, when you consider so many owners are experiencing this issue, and not to mention some cars are covered for replacement and some not!
Thank you for your reply.

[BNaylor]

Thats interesting. So is the dealer claiming '99 Alero is not covered?

It appears the 2002 is covered. We received notice that the turn signal/hazard warning problem was covered and that the coverage was extended to 10 years or 150K miles, whichever comes first. It says the condition will be repaired at no charge to you.

[CdnCowgirl]

Yes, that is correct. We have been told the 1999 Alero is not covered under recall or whatever you want to call it. I have found mentioned on various sites on the net that it should be, but on the other hand have also found where it also depended on where your vehicle was made.

If this is a simple relay replacement, I sure would like to hear from anyone who has actually done the work themselves.

Thank you for your reply.

[ken0001]

I have a 99, and this clicking noise was gonna be the next thing I fix. It would be very cool to find out if the 99 is indeed covered, or at least find out how to fix the prob myself as I was gonna just replace the relay.

[CdnCowgirl]

It seems someone has sent a message to my email account. If so please resend, as it was kicked out as spam and I didn't receive it.
Thanks

[BNaylor]

Here's an old like that may help you out:


http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ghlight=hazard

[vamc]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Thats interesting. So is the dealer claiming '99 Alero is not covered?

It appears the 2002 is covered. We received notice that the turn signal/hazard warning problem was covered and that the coverage was extended to 10 years or 150K miles, whichever comes first. It says the condition will be repaired at no charge to you.

You have that correct, i asked about that to and the years are only covered 2000-2003 i beleve. I had symptoms of this but not the fast clicking sound, just some times my tach and spedo go all the way up and drop suddenly and car surges for a sec and i dont see this for another 2 or 3 months. sucks doesen't it?

[jrozanc]

Fyi,

[jrozanc]

FYI,
I had a 2000 GLS that was not covered under the recall. The dealer told me that (my car) VIN was not traced back to the factory aganist which the recall originated from. I haven't heard that excuse yet, but I suppose it's plausable. Anyway's it's a simple $20/30 min. fix.

[nk567497]

i have same problem " continuous clicking noise usually beginning after turning the signal lights off. The noise seems to come from the Hazard Light Button. We have checked with the dealer on this, and are told our 1999 Alero is not covered”. i changed Hazard switch (relay) but problem still a life.
it is possible problem with master turn signal light switch (180$CDN)???
anybody fix it ???

[CdnCowgirl]

To: Jrozanc

You have mentioned this is a simple 20 minute fix. Could you explain?

My husband has looked at the Hazard light with a friend, and they assume they have to remove large parts of the dash to get at this, and think its a larger job than what I have been telling him, according to info posted here!

Thanks for your reply.

[CdnCowgirl]

I have found this posted on a Grand Am forum. It clearly states GM will cover the replacement of this and on 1999 vehicles. Or am I interpreting this wrong?



NHTSA Action Number : RQ04005 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : PONTIAC Model: GRAND AM
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Year : 1999
Component : EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
Date Investigation Opened : June 18, 2004
Date Investigation Closed : November 30, 2004
Summary:
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL). ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000. IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004. THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by CdnCowgirl

I have found this posted on a Grand Am forum. It clearly states GM will cover the replacement of this and on 1999 vehicles. Or am I interpreting this wrong?



NHTSA Action Number : RQ04005 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : PONTIAC Model: GRAND AM
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Year : 1999
Component : EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
Date Investigation Opened : June 18, 2004
Date Investigation Closed : November 30, 2004
Summary:
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL). ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000. IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004. THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

It sounds kosher but I'd contact GM customer service to verify and see if your Alero qualifies. All they will need the VIN number. If you are the original owner or provided GM notice that you were a subsequent owner (transfer of ownership) then GM will automatically send you notice. Of course, providing your address on file is correct and current.

As I mentioned earlier we just received notice from GM on our '02 Alero. It is in letter format.

[jrozanc]

Originally Posted by CdnCowgirl

To: Jrozanc

You have mentioned this is a simple 20 minute fix. Could you explain?

My husband has looked at the Hazard light with a friend, and they assume they have to remove large parts of the dash to get at this, and think its a larger job than what I have been telling him, according to info posted here!

Thanks for your reply.

You have to remove the instrument benzel which is a couple screws. Once the instrument benzel cover is removed, it gives you side access to where the hazard warning switch. From there you can slip your hand inside and "fanagle" the connector lose. Pop out the connector and replace. You do not need to remove the entire instrument panel (gauges, etc.) just the cover surronding it. Hope that helps..

[CdnCowgirl]

Thank you jrozanc for your reply. I will pass this on to my husband. The occurances of this annoying clicking has increased as our temperature rises here!

I also wanted to mention for anyone else reading about this problem. I have searched the Grand Am forum, where numerous instances are posted for this same issue. From those posts, we have learned that if this Hazard relay is replaced and the noise continues, others have found that the Multifunction switch on the steering column could be the source for the noise. There is a How-To: Fixing the Random Clocking Signal Sound posted regarding how to remove/clean the contacts which has eliminated the noise for some owners. If you are like us, our vehicle is not covered so this may be of some help.

Cowgirl