Clicking behind glove compartment?

[cujotom]

On my Dads 2000 Bravada he is having a relay clicking behind the dash. It sounds as If it is just behind the glove compartment. The sound is like If you had your hazards on. The wierd thing is If you put your foot on the brake the relay will stop clicking. I tried turning on/off the radio, turn signals, hazards, A/C, etc. And nothing else will make it stop other then applying the brake petal. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks Tom

[ericn1300]

does the clicking go away only when you have your foot on the brake pedal or does it stay off after you release the pedal? about the only thing behind there is the ECM.

[cujotom]

The clicking stops when you hit the brakes, It returns as soon as you take your foot off... Isnt there a relay for the emergency flashers somewhere under the dash?

[ericn1300]

yes the emegency flashers use a different relay than the turn signals, are the brake lights flashing when you hear the noise? if so you have a stuck or shorted hazzard lights switch.

[cujotom]

No the hazard lights dont come on when the clicking starts. In addition, If I push the switch for the Hazards they turn on/off fine. The only thing that makes the clicking stop is applying the brakes. No other lights turn on/off at this time. Everything else seems to work fine. I did some research last night And I am leaning towards the Mulifunction switch. G.M has a safety recall on this part as they are shorting out and causing problems. I also searched this forum a bit more and one of the other members had/has an identical problem. He tried replacing the relay (No change) then he was told about the Mulifuntion switch. I am going to have to find out what the criteria is for getting this switch replaced at the Dealer. Anyway Thank you for your help on this... Merry Christmas.... Tom

[Chris Stewart]

There's 3 relays in the '97 glovebox, Fuel Pump, Daytime Running Lights but I forget the last relay, I'll check this afternoon.

OK, it's the horn relay.

[herbravada]

Our 2000 Bravada has the same problem. I traced it to the one and only flasher unit - runs turn signals and fourways and who knows what else. It clicks almost all the time - stop with the brake pedal. Everything works - I tried a new flasher but still does it. There seems to be something with a bad ground. The other symptoms which seem to be related are that when you turn on the turn signals the daytime running lights go off - but the headlights do not have a problem. Also sometimes when on the highway using cruise control using the signal makes the cruise drop off - just like hitting the brakes.

Seeme like a bad ground but I cannot find it - tried taking each bulb out - since that is the usual culptit in such things - power feeds back thru the second filament of a bulb or thru a second bulb that shares the ground. None made a difference. The brakes and turn signal things lead me to think maybe it is in the right rear tail light but I cannot find it. Wrapped the blinker in padding and am ignoring the noise for now.

Anyone with more info?

[blazee]

Originally Posted by cujotom

No the hazard lights dont come on when the clicking starts. In addition, If I push the switch for the Hazards they turn on/off fine. The only thing that makes the clicking stop is applying the brakes. No other lights turn on/off at this time. Everything else seems to work fine. I did some research last night And I am leaning towards the Mulifunction switch. G.M has a safety recall on this part as they are shorting out and causing problems. I also searched this forum a bit more and one of the other members had/has an identical problem. He tried replacing the relay (No change) then he was told about the Mulifuntion switch. I am going to have to find out what the criteria is for getting this switch replaced at the Dealer. Anyway Thank you for your help on this... Merry Christmas.... Tom

Sounds like you're on the right track. Those are the typical symptoms of a problem with the mutifunction switch. The dielectric grease becomes impregnated with metal flakes, which jumps the contacts inside the switch. The clicking that you hear is the flasher relay located behind the glove compartment. Replacing the switch is not that hard for a DIYer. Some guys have remedied the problem by taking the switch apart, cleaning out the old grease, and applying new grease.

[00Bravada]

I had the same problem last summer. I replaced the relay for the turn signals located right behind the glove box and did not solve the problem. I then had to replace the whole turn switch assemble with the hazzard switch on the steering colum. Problem solved and doesn't click anymore.

[Chris Stewart]

Thanks for the info.

[atfdmike]

This info may help, it refers to the issue being discussed, I think. I don't know if this means it is still possible to have dealer fix or whether you would have to pay for it, assuming your vehicle falls in to the affected group as shown below. Good luck.


File In Section: Product Recalls
Bulletin No.: 01073A
Date: July, 2002
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:
01073A - STOP LAMPS/HAZARD LAMPS INOPERATIVE
MODELS:
2000-2001 CHEVROLET BLAZER AND TRAILBLAZER (CLASSIC); GMC JIMMY AND ENVOY (CLASSIC); AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA (CLASSIC)
2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER; GMC JIMMY AND ENVOY (CLASSIC)
This bulletin cancels and replaces bulletin 01073, issued April, 2002. All copies of bulletin 01073 should be destroyed.
Due to parts availability, this recall was administered in two phases. This is the second and final phase of the recall. The Parts section has been revised to include parts for this second phase.
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2000-2001 Chevrolet Blazer and TrailBlazer (Classic); GMC Jimmy and Envoy (Classic); Oldsmobile Bravada (Classic); and 2002 Chevrolet Blazer (Classic); and GMC Jimmy and Envoy (Classic). The multifunction switch may develop an open circuit condition with the bottom contact in the hazard switch carrier that results in the stop lamps and hazard lamps becoming inoperative. The CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Lamp) and turn signal functions are not affected. The loss of stop lamps and rear hazard lamps could fail to warn a following driver that the vehicle is braking and/or is stopped and could lead to a vehicle accident.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to replace the hazard warning flasher switch.
VEHICLES INVOLVED


Involved are certain 2000-2001 Chevrolet Blazer and TrailBlazer (Classic); GMC Jimmy and Envoy (Classic); Oldsmobile Bravada (Classic); and 2002 Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Jimmy and Envoy (Classic) built within these VIN breakpoints shown.
IMPORTANT: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) before beginning recall repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the recall bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the recall bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

PARTS INFORMATION
Preship Information: Important: An initial supply of the new hazard warning switches, P/N 15177379, required to complete this recall will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. This preshipment is scheduled to begin the week of July 22, 2002.

[Sdedeker]

I will have to agree that it is the switch. I have the same problem and this week I started to tackle that problem. This has been going on for a few months and I replaced the relay hoping that I could get away with changing out the cheaper of the two parts but no luck. Now I have an extra relay. I have everything off of the column but there is one screw that is tucked behind the steering wheel that I can not get to without taking the steering wheel off. Problem is, I cant figure out how to get the wheel off. I cant get the horn/airbag assembly of off the steering wheel to get to the nut. I have pulled to the point I felt I was going to break something. I have looked for retaining clips, screws, and locking tabs but so far it has eluded me. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the darn thing off?

[00Bravada]

What I did is I used the tip of a tourqe screw tip that you would put into the end of a screwdriver just the tip and an opened ended wrench. It took a while but was able to get it that way without taking the steering wheel off.

[Sdedeker]

Originally Posted by 00Bravada

What I did is I used the tip of a tourqe screw tip that you would put into the end of a screwdriver just the tip and an opened ended wrench. It took a while but was able to get it that way without taking the steering wheel off.

Thanks for the reply. I actually found out that you can turn the steering wheel to where the top of the wheel is over to the left which will give you direct access to the screw without having to be a contortionist.

[Robmoo]

Same thing happened to my 98 model. There is a relay for the turn signals behind the glove box. The clicking is caused by a short in the turn signal lever. Unfortunately there are a lot of other controls on this lever. It is over a $200 part. I managed to replace mine without remove the steering wheel. Anyone want to comment on GM quality?