turnsignal relay clicking even when not in use
Question:
Derek, Have you resolved this problem yet I am experiencing the same exact problem. Seems to have started with the cold weather. All things seem to point to the Switch but I would hate to replace it since the price is so high. Thanks Joe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Couple of other shots. There may be more than one flasher unit. One > for turn signals, one for the hazards. If wiggling the switch could get > it to cut out it might be a partial connection (short) in the switch. > Sometimes in cases like this it may be worth it to take it to someone > knowledgeable. Old case of plumber, "placing x $5, where to place $35". >A long shot but try messing with the hazard switch. I’ve found at least in >my chevy that all the electrical connections for the flashers, brakes, and >turn signals all group together in the stearing coulumn and hazard switch. >>Help, >>The turn signal relay on my wife’s 99 GMC Jimmy has started clicking >>when not in use. She call ed me at work today and said the relay is >>clicking with the turn signals in the off position. Sure enough I get >>home, turn the key to the on position and I hear a clicking. Leaver >>is on off position and no lights on or flashing. The signal lights >>all work correctly, inside and out but the relay continues to click at >>what appears to be the same rate. > —
Response:
Problem solved….$500 later, well realy $460 CDN. I was leaving on a big trip in 2 days so I broke down and let the dealer do it. When to the dealer where my part time employer buy it’s vans. They said they would give me a 20% dicount on parts and a 10% on labour. Problem was found to be the multi function switch, no question. I asked for the old part and found it was held togeather with black elec tape, seems the previous owner must have had a simular problem but cheaped out (maybe to sell it). The part was repalced by the dealer for just over $500CDN. Happened to call another dealer to confirm the price and found it was about $40 cheaper. Called several more and then the original dealer’s parts dept, all sold it at the cheaper price. Called the service manager, he would look into it and get back to me that afternoon. A few days later I called him back (he lost my phone numeber… ya right) and said a check for $40+ was being issued to me. Two weeks later I call back as still no check. He calls back the next day… it in the mail, it arrived two days later. Same priceing scam 5 years ago when I sold my mother’s car and needed a sensor replaced… crooks. Derek – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Derek, > Have you resolved this problem yet I am experiencing the same exact > problem. > Seems to have started with the cold weather. All things seem to point > to the Switch but I would hate to replace it since the price is so > high. > Thanks > Joe
Response:
Thanks for the suggestions and help. since everything pointed to the multi function switch and since I was out of time to do it my self before a long trip I broke down and took it to the dealer. 1/2 hour charge to tell me yes it is that switch and it can not be fixed and 1 1/2 hours (even though it’s already apart) to change it. I took it to the shop the company I work for buys it"s trucks from so I got 10% of labour and 20% off parts. Bill was $505 out the door. Damn dealer did give me 20% off the part after he added 10% to retail value. I just happened to have the regular retail price at home (so I didn’t notice it then) called the service manager to question it…. seem there will be a check in the mail for the difference…. don’t remember if he ever said sorry. Interesting thing, the back of the switch was wrapped in old black electical tape, previous owner must have problems before I did. Derek
Response:
Couple of other shots. There may be more than one flasher unit. One for turn signals, one for the hazards. If wiggling the switch could get it to cut out it might be a partial connection (short) in the switch. Sometimes in cases like this it may be worth it to take it to someone knowledgeable. Old case of plumber, "placing x $5, where to place $35". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >A long shot but try messing with the hazard switch. I’ve found at least in >my chevy that all the electrical connections for the flashers, brakes, and >turn signals all group together in the stearing coulumn and hazard switch. >Help, >The turn signal relay on my wife’s 99 GMC Jimmy has started clicking >when not in use. She call ed me at work today and said the relay is >clicking with the turn signals in the off position. Sure enough I get >home, turn the key to the on position and I hear a clicking. Leaver >is on off position and no lights on or flashing. The signal lights >all work correctly, inside and out but the relay continues to click at >what appears to be the same rate.
Response:
>I am sure it is the TS relay, I feel the click through my fingers >while touching, wigling and swearing at it. >I can usually stop it breifly by moving the turn signal stalk, once >causing a fast relay chattering noise. Whenever I hit the brake >pedal it clicks once or twice. Hazzard switch wiggling does nothing. >again all light work correctly, just a PIA listening to that loud >clicking… besides I sure it’s not right and will cause further >problems later. >Thanks for the help and suggestions so far. >derek
damn, i sure hope it’s not your multi-function switch, but the part about moving or jiggling the turn signal stalk sorta points to it, i think…. not sure how the setup is in chevies… maybe it’s possible to get to the switch and clean contacts or whatever without pulling the steering wheel?? mac http://www.aadtonline.com/Bios%20Files/mac%20davis.htm
Response:
I am sure it is the TS relay, I feel the click through my fingers while touching, wigling and swearing at it. I can usually stop it breifly by moving the turn signal stalk, once causing a fast relay chattering noise. Whenever I hit the brake pedal it clicks once or twice. Hazzard switch wiggling does nothing. again all light work correctly, just a PIA listening to that loud clicking… besides I sure it’s not right and will cause further problems later. Thanks for the help and suggestions so far. derek
Response:
Are you sure that it is the TS relay? Or does it just sound like it? Also, when you replaced the relay, did you check the connector carefully for wires that may be pushed out? Dave
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> it’s not worth messing with… get a new one at any place that sells > auto parts and pop it in… > i always get the one’s that are "heavy duty" but mainly cuz i like a > loud click.. > Well i replaced the relay at $15 + (cdn) and it did absolutly nothing > to cure the problem. Parts person said they sell a few of these and > also sell a few turnsignal switchs (harnes in steering colum) at $400 > a pop. A little leary of spending that sort of money for a maybe fix. > Derek
Response:
>> it’s not worth messing with… get a new one at any place that sells > auto parts and pop it in… > i always get the one’s that are "heavy duty" but mainly cuz i like a > loud click.. >Well i replaced the relay at $15 + (cdn) and it did absolutly nothing >to cure the problem. Parts person said they sell a few of these and >also sell a few turnsignal switchs (harnes in steering colum) at $400 >a pop. A little leary of spending that sort of money for a maybe fix. >Derek
wow! $400 is steep, even in CDN! it could be a loose wire, but i doubt it, since you said all lights worked right…. maybe some of the wiring gurus here could explain a "power to flasher when not in use" short or something?? mac http://www.aadtonline.com/Bios%20Files/mac%20davis.htm
Response:
> it’s not worth messing with… get a new one at any place that sells > auto parts and pop it in… > i always get the one’s that are "heavy duty" but mainly cuz i like a > loud click..
Well i replaced the relay at $15 + (cdn) and it did absolutly nothing to cure the problem. Parts person said they sell a few of these and also sell a few turnsignal switchs (harnes in steering colum) at $400 a pop. A little leary of spending that sort of money for a maybe fix. Derek
Response:
A long shot but try messing with the hazard switch. I’ve found at least in my chevy that all the electrical connections for the flashers, brakes, and turn signals all group together in the stearing coulumn and hazard switch.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Help, > The turn signal relay on my wife’s 99 GMC Jimmy has started clicking > when not in use. She call ed me at work today and said the relay is > clicking with the turn signals in the off position. Sure enough I get > home, turn the key to the on position and I hear a clicking. Leaver > is on off position and no lights on or flashing. The signal lights > all work correctly, inside and out but the relay continues to click at > what appears to be the same rate.
Response:
it’s not worth messing with… get a new one at any place that sells auto parts and pop it in… i always get the one’s that are "heavy duty" but mainly cuz i like a loud click.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Help, >The turn signal relay on my wife’s 99 GMC Jimmy has started clicking >when not in use. She call ed me at work today and said the relay is >clicking with the turn signals in the off position. Sure enough I get >home, turn the key to the on position and I hear a clicking. Leaver >is on off position and no lights on or flashing. The signal lights >all work correctly, inside and out but the relay continues to click at >what appears to be the same rate. >I tracked the relay to behind the glove box. I wigled it to make sure >it was seated but it made no difference. I then retreated into the >house to see what the owners manual and service manual says…. not >much at all about this relay. >Went back out after dinner and still clicking but with some more >wiggling it did stop. >Only thing that is different than last week (when I drove it and all >was fine)is the outside temp… how can I say it …. it’s damn COLD. >-21C yesterday. >Could the cold affect a relay and make it stick? >Any other suggestions please. >Thanks in advance. >Derek
mac http://www.aadtonline.com/Bios%20Files/mac%20davis.htm
Response:
Help, The turn signal relay on my wife’s 99 GMC Jimmy has started clicking when not in use. She call ed me at work today and said the relay is clicking with the turn signals in the off position. Sure enough I get home, turn the key to the on position and I hear a clicking. Leaver is on off position and no lights on or flashing. The signal lights all work correctly, inside and out but the relay continues to click at what appears to be the same rate. I tracked the relay to behind the glove box. I wigled it to make sure it was seated but it made no difference. I then retreated into the house to see what the owners manual and service manual says…. not much at all about this relay. Went back out after dinner and still clicking but with some more wiggling it did stop. Only thing that is different than last week (when I drove it and all was fine)is the outside temp… how can I say it …. it’s damn COLD. -21C yesterday. Could the cold affect a relay and make it stick? Any other suggestions please. Thanks in advance. Derek
