2000 Jeep GCL, signal lights work intermittently, hazards work fine

[mgtyjoe]

I originally posted this under the 'Cherokee' forum. I am reposting it here in hopes of getting a response (sorry, I am not sure how to link a post to a different forum).

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Hi everyone. I am having a very annoying problem with my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Every once in a while, the turn signals wont flash at all. When you turn the lever left or right, the display won't even show the blinking flashers and you don't hear the 'clicking' that they are working. I have actually gotten out of the vehicle and looked and they are not working. As the day progresses, they usually start working about mid-day.

If you turn on the hazards, they always work just fine.

I have noticed it most if I park outside and wonder if moisture might be the problem.

I had my mechanic replace the multi-function switch last year, but it didn't really help. He asked me (because he could not remember this morning) if the wiring harness is internal or external. He was thinking about replacing the wiring to see if that worked.

The dealer wont' even look at it unless the signal lights stop working completely. Both local dealers told me if I bring it in and it works, they can't diagnose the problem. My mechanic is willing to keep chasing the problem until it goes away.

Does anybody out there have any insight on this? My thoughts are that condensation is getting in a faulty wire and as the day progresses, this evaporates and allows it to work again. I also wondered if perhaps the turn signal lever could be replaced and if that might help.

-Joe

[tony36]

I don't remember if the turn signals and the flashers have seperate relays but check and if they do it is possible that the turn signal relay is going bad. Most times a relay will totally quit working but sometimes they will be intermittent. The dealership is right, you cannot trace a problem when it is working because you can't pinpoint the disruption in the power. I'm sure your mechanic is willing to keep trying to track it, electical short chasing is the most expensive job to hire a mechanic for. It can take forever with no results, especialy when the problem is intermittent. Try the relay it's cheap if you still have problems I would contact the dealer and set it up so that they will bring you in the next time it quits. A problem like that if they are aware of it they will let you swing in when it is not working.