How-To: Fixing The Random Clicking Signal Sound

Infernall · 04-03-2005, 05:05 PM

This guide has been written to help you repair the random signal switch sounds that occur when the multi-function switch contacts are dirty. This signal clicking just occurs randomly and is not related in any way to the flasher relay switch recall. If you are experiencing random signal clicking and want to fix it, this thread is for you.

This thread is an adaptation with images of Flasher relay clicking for no reason.... where Maniac_Mechanic posted instructions to fix this problem. I have simply followed his excellent instructions, and added my own photos that I took while making the repair to my car.

Tools Required:

T-10 Torx Screwdriver
T-20 Torx Screwdriver
Electronic Contact Cleaner
Cotton Swabs
Di-Electric Grease
Tape

This repair will require you to remove the multi-function switch and place it on your desk or workbench to finish the repair. The multi-function switch is a component of the steering column, and includes both the Signal/Headlights arm, and the Wiper arm.

Step One - Exposing the Multi-function Switch

Remove the three screws from the bottom of the steering column's plastic casing with a Torx T-20 Screwdriver.
Remove the top half of the plastic steering column cover by gently lifting it from the bottom half, unsnapping it gently.

Step Two - Removing the Multi-function Switch

Carefully unplug each of the three wire harnesses by gently lifting their plastic retaining clips, and pulling out.
With a Torx T-20 Screwdriver, remove the screw from the top center of the exposed multi-function switch.
Gently lift the multi-function switch clear from the steering column and bring it inside to your desk or workbench.

Step Three - Opening the Switch

Wrap the wiper arm side of the multi-function switch with a few layers of scotch tape to prevent the whole unit from opening up and losing springs when we remove the screws.
Remove all of the screws on the back of the multi-function switch with a Torx T-10 screwdriver.

Step Four - Cleaning the Switch

Gently pry open the multi-function switch about half on inch at the center of the signal arm side to access the dirty signal switch.
Simply wipe off the dirty contacts inside with a few cotton swabs. I ended up with four very dirty cotton swabs. (Edit - To determine which contacts are for the signal switch, simply move the arm up or down as you would when driving and note the location of the contacts as they move)
Put a coating of fresh di-electric grease on a cotton swab and gently apply the grease to both switch contacts.
Reclose the multi-function switch with all of the screws and remove the tape. Regrease the spring loaded horn pin on the front if you accidentally removed the original coating.

Step Five - Re-installing the Multi-function Switch

Reinstall the multi-function switch, but be very careful to DEPRESS the spring loaded horn pin, or your horn will not work when you are finished.
Reconnect the electrical harnesses to the multi-function switch.
Replace the screw at the top of the multi-function switch.
Re-cover the steering column with the top plastic cover, and reinstall the three screws from the bottom.

Feel free to post any questions or comments.

badboy2451 · 04-03-2005, 05:08 PM

very nice, photos are the best thing for a how to...just post them in the how to section next time

How to: your title here <--how it should look when you post in the how to seciton

K2737 · 04-12-2005, 03:56 PM

Just got done cleaning the contacts and reinstalling it. Thanks Infernall and Maniac_Mechanic the pictures and instructions were awesome.

Also giving you a bump for the effort you took to make the how to. Thanks a bunch.

Ridenour · 04-12-2005, 04:15 PM

VERY informative how-to. Thanks a lot Infernall.

Infernall · 04-12-2005, 10:33 PM

No problem!

This community has bailed me out a number of times, so its up to all of us to give back.

Blackrider · 04-12-2005, 11:49 PM

I had that problem when my car was about 6 months old, Drove me nuts, Warrenty bailed me out of that one. But good Post!

jmbox · 05-02-2005, 08:11 PM

Many thanks for the great pics and howto. That sound was driving me up the wall!

This is the second problem this site has helped me fix - its better than an up-to-date Haynes manual!

Infernall · 05-02-2005, 09:44 PM

Glad we could help!

louveres · 05-11-2005, 01:23 PM

Great info!!! I will do this today, had the problem for about a month or so, it is annoying. Thank you for all your help!!!!

iceman · 05-11-2005, 01:25 PM

GREAT how-to!! Moved it to the how-to section.

White99GAGT · 05-11-2005, 01:27 PM

Make sure you depress the horn spring when you are finished, I didn't and it caused the horn to go off for like a second when I turned the steering wheel a certain way. I had to retake everything apart to fix it.

Infernall · 05-21-2005, 09:29 PM

Thanks iceman,

I wrote another howto at Cleaning Coil Pack Posts & Multi Function Switch about cleaning coil pack terminal leads. Would you mind moving this to the howto section?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

GREAT how-to!! Moved it to the how-to section.

louveres · 05-23-2005, 02:13 PM

Thanks guys, followed the instructions step by step and it took care of the problem, I am one happy camper now!!! Great instructions, great detail!!!!
Did I say , THANK YOU?

sam95ta · 05-28-2005, 08:50 AM

Thank you so much.Great instructions

Bouchie11982 · 05-28-2005, 08:17 PM

wait question, WHY turn the noise off?? ye ai know it kinda annoying but it tells u ur blinker is on :P it drives me NUTS when someone leaves their blinker on

Infernall · 05-29-2005, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bouchie11982

wait question, WHY turn the noise off?? ye ai know it kinda annoying but it tells u ur blinker is on :P it drives me NUTS when someone leaves their blinker on

This howto doesn't help you stop the signal clicking when you are using your turn signals. This guide is for people with a dirty multifunction switch, which causes the signal clicking sound to start and stop randomly as you drive.

If you have a dirty multifunction switch, you will hear the signal clicking sounds anytime without using the signals, even in park or while driving straight.

Your signals will still make the clicking when you use them after this guide, as nature intended.

Bouchie11982 · 05-29-2005, 06:47 AM

oooh..sorry didnt read the WHOLE thread correctly my mistake and apologises

Demuns · 06-08-2005, 07:28 PM

I had this same problem with the random clicking and tried this fix today. The contacts were really dirty but it did not fix the problem. Any other suggestions?

2002AmSE · 06-09-2005, 11:53 AM

The site hasnt been working for me since labor day until today, im thinking it may be my internet provider, I fixed this problem before going on my labor day weekend vacation and I took many pictures while doing it so I am going to post a few hopefully by the end of the week.

I'll also go into more detail about the situation with mine because mine started an minor electrical fire in the multifunction switch itself. Again, Ill be back and post more details

Infernall · 06-14-2005, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demuns

I had this same problem with the random clicking and tried this fix today. The contacts were really dirty but it did not fix the problem. Any other suggestions?

What did you use to clean the contacts with? Any residue from oils, liquid from contact cleaner, and many other items will burn if not cleaned/dried properly.

I would really like to post more photos, as I have about 5 more zoomed in photos showing exactly what I did. Perhaps you were cleaning the wrong part of the multifunction switch?

04-03-2005, 05:08 PM	#2
badboy2451 GAGT - not so n00bee AKA: Zac Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: City of 3 rivers and 5 rings Age: 24 Posts: 1,424 Vehicle: 99 gt coupe	very nice, photos are the best thing for a how to...just post them in the how to section next time How to: your title here <--how it should look when you post in the how to seciton __________________ 20% window tint / Grafxwerks arrowhead overlay with GT emblems / CCG grille inserts / 18" AT Italia Inox with 235/40/18 Pirelli PZero Nero M&S (sitting in my basement) / Intrax lowering springs / Doctor Speed stage 3 intake / Taylor 8mm spark plug wires / Pioneer overhaul: headunit (broken) and 3-ways / Custom headlights with amber overlays / Angel eye fogs / 2 gauge piller with volt and a/f / 2 12' Rockford Fosgate P1 Subs with 325.2 amp (all stolen) / Milzy PCM My FQuick My GAGT Garage

04-12-2005, 03:56 PM	#3
K2737 GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rochester/Rome NY Age: 24 Posts: 524 Vehicle: '01 GA SE	Just got done cleaning the contacts and reinstalling it. Thanks Infernall and Maniac_Mechanic the pictures and instructions were awesome. Also giving you a bump for the effort you took to make the how to. Thanks a bunch. __________________ - adam - '01 GASE

04-12-2005, 11:49 PM	#6
Blackrider Ifeast Upon The Weak AKA: Jordie Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Victoria B.C. Age: 25 Posts: 3,048 Vehicle: 06 GTP 6Speed	I had that problem when my car was about 6 months old, Drove me nuts, Warrenty bailed me out of that one. But good Post! __________________ 60DegreeGTP

05-11-2005, 01:23 PM	#9
louveres GAGT member AKA: Lou Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Schaumburg, IL Age: 34 Posts: 129 Vehicle: 2002 GAGT sedan	Great info!!! I will do this today, had the problem for about a month or so, it is annoying. Thank you for all your help!!!! __________________ I'm not tailgating, I'm drafting.

05-11-2005, 01:25 PM	#10
iceman woop woop AKA: Seth Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Age: 29 Posts: 10,443 Vehicle: 97 Blazer - 84 Fiero	GREAT how-to!! Moved it to the how-to section. __________________ --Seth Support GrandAmGT.com sponsors! My Picture Gallery \| GoneDragRacing.com Drag Racing Photos & Videos

04-12-2005, 10:33 PM	#5
Infernall GASE - Speeder AKA: Wess Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Windsor, Ontatio Age: 27 Posts: 98 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am SE2	No problem! This community has bailed me out a number of times, so its up to all of us to give back.

05-02-2005, 08:11 PM	#7
jmbox GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Age: 34 Posts: 1 Vehicle: 2003 Grand Am	Many thanks for the great pics and howto. That sound was driving me up the wall! This is the second problem this site has helped me fix - its better than an up-to-date Haynes manual!

05-02-2005, 09:44 PM	#8
Infernall GASE - Speeder AKA: Wess Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Windsor, Ontatio Age: 27 Posts: 98 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am SE2	Glad we could help!

05-11-2005, 01:27 PM	#11
White99GAGT GAGT - Member AKA: Todd Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mamaroneck, NY Age: 24 Posts: 152 Vehicle: 1999 GAGT 2Dr (R.I.P)	Make sure you depress the horn spring when you are finished, I didn't and it caused the horn to go off for like a second when I turned the steering wheel a certain way. I had to retake everything apart to fix it.

05-23-2005, 02:13 PM	#13
louveres GAGT member AKA: Lou Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Schaumburg, IL Age: 34 Posts: 129 Vehicle: 2002 GAGT sedan	Thanks guys, followed the instructions step by step and it took care of the problem, I am one happy camper now!!! Great instructions, great detail!!!! Did I say , THANK YOU? __________________ I'm not tailgating, I'm drafting.

05-28-2005, 08:50 AM	#14
sam95ta GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: toronto Age: 39 Posts: 14 Vehicle: 2002 grand am gt	Thank you so much.Great instructions

05-28-2005, 08:17 PM	#15
Bouchie11982 Look What I can Do! AKA: Katie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicopee, MA Age: 27 Posts: 831 Vehicle: 2003 Grand Am GT1/SC/T	wait question, WHY turn the noise off?? ye ai know it kinda annoying but it tells u ur blinker is on :P it drives me NUTS when someone leaves their blinker on __________________ -=Katie=- RED SOX FOREVER!

05-29-2005, 06:47 AM	#17
Bouchie11982 Look What I can Do! AKA: Katie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicopee, MA Age: 27 Posts: 831 Vehicle: 2003 Grand Am GT1/SC/T	oooh..sorry didnt read the WHOLE thread correctly my mistake and apologises __________________ -=Katie=- RED SOX FOREVER!

06-08-2005, 07:28 PM	#18
Demuns GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Windsor, ON Age: 33 Posts: 3 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT	I had this same problem with the random clicking and tried this fix today. The contacts were really dirty but it did not fix the problem. Any other suggestions?

06-09-2005, 11:53 AM	#19
2002AmSE 3.4L SE1 54.5k miles Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Minnesota, USA Age: 23 Posts: 506 Vehicle: White 2002 GrandAm SE1	The site hasnt been working for me since labor day until today, im thinking it may be my internet provider, I fixed this problem before going on my labor day weekend vacation and I took many pictures while doing it so I am going to post a few hopefully by the end of the week. I'll also go into more detail about the situation with mine because mine started an minor electrical fire in the multifunction switch itself. Again, Ill be back and post more details __________________ White 2002 Grand Am SE1 3.4L 54,500 miles

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