Grand Am turn signals not working SOLUTION
I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am. In September 2007, the turn signals/flashers would intermittently stop working. We figured out that if you hit the hazards button, the turn signals would work again. In June 2008, the “hazards button” method would not always work, thus creating a “hazardous” situation for the driver and other cars. My mechanic and I were having difficulty figuring out where the flasher relay was, so I went online to try to get some advice. I turns out that many, many Grand Am owners from 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 had this exact problem. GM even offered to fix the problem for free for SOME owners:
2000-2001 Grand Am, Oldsmobile Alero, Chevrolet Malibu
1999-2000 Grand Am, Oldsmobile Alero, Chevrolet Malibu
The problem is that many owners have found that in those years, their car “isn’t in the VIN range,” even though it has the same problem.
BOTTOM LINE: GM knows about this dangerous situation and is not doing anything about it. They know that those models have a problem and talk to any dealer — they fix it all the time. GM is culpable for all accidents that occur because of this problem. They decided they would fix as little cars as possible.
If you have this problem, call these numbers and report it (have your VIN ready)!
CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537 to see if your car will be fixed for free — if not, complain to them.
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
(Thanks Grand Am Owners Forum)
As a benefit to all owners of these cars, I have posted below instructions on how to fix this problem, since I couldn’t find any help anywhere. I’m sure there are easier ways to do things; I had to figure it out. Please comment below with tips and I’ll modify my instructions if appropriate.
These instructions are for turn signals not working intermittently. There is another common problems where turn signals don’t turn off right away — that’s a different problem, but may be worth trying this because it is cheap!
TOOLS: flat head screwdriver, 7 MM socket
1. Visit your local GM dealer (doesn’t have to be Pontiac) and ask for a Hazard Switch for your car (this is the button you press to turn on your hazards). They will probably know all about your problem. Don’t be afraid to ask for the part at cost since this should have been a recall. I got mine for $19:
2. I started with popping out the ignition ring. (Tip from George T in the comments: Don’t use a screw driver to remove the ring around the ignition switch, just pull the bezel with even force and it will remove it without damage.)
Sorry, my picture is bad, but I think you need to gently get pressure with a flat screwdriver to pry it out. If you don’t do this first, you’ll see what happens — it gets broken:
3. Next you need to pry off the bezel over the whole center console area. I put my screwdriver to the right of the radio. Once I could fit my fingers under the right side of the cover, I firmed pulled and the cover comes off:
4. Once I pulled the cover off, I put in the key, turned the ignition to on, put the car in Neutral and was able to pull out the console cover better:
5. Obviously, behind where the hazard button is located, is what we need to remove. Start by unclipping the wire. You need to push in the clip on the left and right side — enough to push the whole part back through the front, but we’ll do that after we remove in inner cover.
6. To take the whole cover off, remove the wires from the ETS button and cigarette lighter.
7. Now get yourself a 7 MM socket to remove the inner cover. There are three screws holding it in (only 2 shown):
8. Your next job is to push in the two nubs holding the flasher in place, while pushing the whole part back through the front:
9. I had a difficult time doing this. Many of you will think it’s easy, but I just could not get it to come out. The black plastic is fragile — avoid breaking it. The green plastic is fine to break, so maybe a tool to push both sides in at the same time would be best. (Tip from Jim K in the comments: In order to squeeze the side tabs of the hazard switch to slide it out of the bracket, I taped a ¼” nut on each jaw of my channel locks, and squeezed directly behind the tabs because I couldn’t get a good grip on the tabs themself. Please read on as to why I didn’t want to break it out.) Here’s what things looks like when I finally got it:
10. You should be able to handle the rest yourself, just go backwards of the above steps.
Now a much happier car!
If your turn signal still isn’t working properly, the other big problem I read about is the multi-function switch in the steering column (attached to the turn signal stalk). That’s much more expensive and I haven’t done it…yet! The primary symptom of the other problem is that the flasher noise continues even after the turn signal turns off. This website has some instructions and pictures.
Jim Kjendalen emailed me with these helpful thoughts on why this is happening:
I looked at the data sheet for the IC in the flasher. It looks like the only way for the “flasher” to activate & click, is to see a low impedance or ground on pin 8 of the IC. Crud on the steering column [multi-function switch] as described earlier, can definitely cause this.
I would “hazard” a guess, 🙂 that what’s burning up the flasher module is the extra blinking that is occurring. Each time you hear a click, the relay contacts are opening & closing. Mechanical relays like these have a fixed life span of so many open/close cycles after which they just wear out. Driving around with the relay clicking for hours/hours is shortening the life dramatically.
In short, I don’t think the crud itself is destroying the IC, but the excess clicking is likely wearing out the mechanical relay in the module prematurely. If you fix the steering column crud as soon as you start to hear the unwanted clicking, you probably won’t need to replace the relay.
link to the 8 pin IC http://www.atmel.com/Images/doc4726.pdf
[UPDATE 7/10] My car has been getting worse and worse with the turn signal clicking continuing, even with not having the turn signal on. It is usually in the morning, and it goes away after a few minutes. However, today it kept doing it for about 45 minutes straight! I’m wondering whether this multi-function switch problem is actually the reason why the flasher goes bad…
[UPDATE 9/11] My turn signal is making a clicking noise again at random times… I’m going to have to mess with that multi-function switch soon it seems. With 22,000+ visits to this post since June 2008, this is no small problem..
[UPDATE 4/12] Bye bye, Grand Am. Who knows, maybe the next owner will end up reading this very page!
You too lol,thanks so much for the information and it is frustrating to say the very least and since im not a gear head lol this information really helps.
I called the dealer- they told me they would do diagnostics and then if it was the switch it would be at least $100 – not covered – and I even gave them the car’s VIN #!
I called Pontiac – they said it is 100% covered and they called the dealer and talked to the service manager for me.
Always the same – Pontiac is great, but the local dealership are schmucks.
Thanks for the help. We replaced the hazard switch as you outlined and this seems to have solved my problem.
Great instructions. It’s such a relief now knowing that my directionals are going to work when I go to use them them.
Swapped the Hazzard switch out and the signals are now working properly. THANKS for the info and the picts – made the job a lot easier!
Thanks, this worked for me also. Great instructions appreciate it greatly.
THANKS so much for putting this information out there. I researched a lot about this problem, but this site was great as I had the EXACT same situation as you described. Nice to see someone found the problem, included pics of the replacement part, had recall numbers, and had others comment that it fixed their problem as well!!! I called the Pontiac number today (10/15/09), provided the vin to my 2001 pontiac Grand AM GT. Yup, it was within the recall. They called the nearest dealership and I went right in 10 min after the call. They fixed it while I waited,,, about an hour. I am so happy. Hopefully this fix works and fixes my problem. I would be so happy. I was told by a mechanic that to fix it, the entire dash would need to be removed ($500 min charge) and it had to do with the security light (which is on as well), but I think that is a different problem.
Can not say thanks enough. If this problem starts again, I will be sure to report back. Thanks again and have a great day!!!! Mark.
My 2001 Pontiac Grand AM had the same problem with the turn signal working one minute and not the next. I figured out a while ago about the temp fix by turning on the hazards then turning them off. This worked for only so long. I called Pontiac about the recall and they said that the previous owner had the switch replaced by the recall and that they would only fix the problem one time.
Wow!
Apparently the fix is not really a fix and the problem will pop up again. It would seem to me that the recall should cover fixing this problem permanently.
My ’02 Grand Am had the same problems. I replaced the multifunction switch harness, but that did not fix the problem.
I called Pontiac and they told me it was a special issuance repair. They connected me to my local dealer and set up a time to bring the car in. A few days later I took the car in and they fixed it for free without any issues! They only asked to see the case number that Pontiac gave me for their warranty claim form that they had to fax.
Its worth the call to Pontiac, even if they cannot get it fixed for free it at least documents the problem and a paper trail can go a long way to getting an official recall to this problem.
Your instructions were great! I have been dealing with this problem of my turn signals working sometimes and then other times they would not work. Very annoying problem. I purchased the part from the local GM dealer for $27.00, and was able to replace the part within 10 minutes, and now they are working fine. I called the Ponitac phone number you provided, they told me the recall was expired and I had to pay for the part. Thank you again for the great instructions.
I was experiencing intermittent turn signal issues and after some Googling, found this page. Your instructions were excellent and worked perfectly for me. Thank you. I actually found my hazard switch at RockAuto for about $15 and it is working fine. This was for an ’01 Grand Am. Here’s the link if anyone is interested. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1374735&parttype=4468
had the same problem on my 2002 grand am one day the turn signal would work the next day it wouldn’t. I called pontiac with my vin number but it was not on the recall. the local dealer said it was covered under a special issuance and will cover everything as long as the title was clean and the car had less than 150,000 miles on it. seems like pontiac doesn’t want to make a recall in order to save money.
2000 grand am, Thanks, this worked for me also. Great instructions appreciate it greatly.
Ok so i have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. After i used my turn signal today the noice would not stop. So the signal worked, when i was done turning the light when off, the sound would not stop. Though technically it is not a problem it is rather annoying. It eventually stopped making the noice, but whenever i use the turn signal again it will keep making the noice for about 5 minutes. Any thoughts to this one???
I have the same symptom, too! The first day that it was under 20 degrees, may 2002 would do the same thing. I think it is the multi-function switch in the steering column that is the problem. I wonder whether this switch is the root cause of the hazard switch going bad?
Here is an interesting post:
I had the same problem that you guys are talking about.. the hazard switch replacement has nothing to do with the clicking noise. Yesterday I finally had some time to do some troubleshooting on the car and found out that the turnsignal switch (which is a part of the multifunction switch) has a build up of grease inside. Over time, this grease wears and so does the turnsignal contacts. This grease/contact metal powder causes the switch to have a weak short in it. I simply cleaned this stuff off with a rag and a little rubbing alcohol and re-applied a little de-electric grease to the contacts. Worked like a charm, and was very easy to do. No more CLICK CLICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOURCE: http://www.automotiveforums.com/t334353-petition_for_multifunction_recall.html
Here are some instructions on how to replace the multifunction switch (I can’t vouch for accuracy):
Take the plastic clam-shell off the top of the steering column. This will simply pull apart with a little effort. You will probably need a small screw driver of some kind to take out the screws holding the turn signal/wiper control machanism. There are also a couple of electrical connections that need to be disconnected. Make sure that it pulls out smoothly, don’t try and force it. I don’t know how much they cost to replace but what a hassle that would be. Anyway, once you’ve got that out take it inside so you can take it apart over a counter or table with good lighting. Remove the screws holding the two halves together. NOTE: there is a small spring that might come out of one of the sides, make sure you get that back in and don’t lose it. Now you should see the contacts that make the turn and wiper levers work. Very likely you will see the contacts covered in a copious amount of grease. Clean that off with some Q-tips or something non-abrasive like a can of compressed air. Keep enough grease on there to retain smooth operation of levers. Reassemble and reinstall in car. NOTE: there may be a small pin on the top of the steering column that has to be pushed in to allow the mechanism to slide back in. There are also guides to make sure its seated properly.
SOURCE: http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic594376.htm
This looks like it is the part from AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?skuDescription=Duralast+/+Turn+Signal+Switch&categoryDisplayName=&fromString=&itemIdentifier=322914_0_0_&productId=322914&sortType=&parentId=57-0&filterByKeyWord=&isSearchByPartNumber=&navValue=15700603&categoryNValue=&fromWhere=&itemId=603-0&displayName=Turn+Signal+Switch&store=1816&searchText=&brandName=Duralast
I’m leaving it alone for now; we’ll see how it acts!
I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am SE. I just paid $450.00 to have a theft deterrnent cylinder and sensor replaced. Now my turn signals, when turning, come on for a couple of blinks and then stop. If I do use the hazards, it comes on for a minute and then nothing. If I leave it on, it will come on for a minute and then shut off again. Any suggestions since the signals were working perfectly before the car was in for repair???
Can anyone help me locate the exact number that I am supposed to call so that pontiac can replace the signal relay/turn signal assembly on my 2001 grand am? From what I’m reading in past posts they know of the problem and WILL replace the part free, and i really dont need any tickets for it. thanks!! =)
Did you try calling the numbers I have listed in my post above?
“CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537 to see if your car will be fixed for free — if not, complain to them.”
I am so glad i found your site!This happened to me today!I had my hazard lights on for about 15 min while i was helping my sister out of the highway(Her car caught on fire)and when it was all over i tried to use my signals and they would not work!!I thought is was the fuse but that still didnt solve the problem.Then i found this sight!I will be calling the numbers you suggested first thing in the morning!Thanks alot!
Karen in Atlanta,Ga
Oh yeah I have a 2003 Grand Am!
I was happy to find this information yesterday. I have been having this same problem with my 2000 Grand Am GT for 1-2 years now. It is getting worse and now the hazards don’t even work. My VIN is included in the so-called special issuance repair; however, I am outside the warranty by two months so they will not fix it even though I am well below the mileage cap of 150,000. I never received the notice they sent out about this problem. Does anyone know who I can send a complaint to or who I should call? Thanks Brian for posting the instructions on how to fix – hoping to get the part from Napa and get it fixed right away.
I was able to get the part at Napa for under $20 and fixed it in a matter of minutes. So far, it is working great!! Thanks again!!
Hello Everyone.
I called the Pontiac number today and, oh boy, what an experience that was. I was basically told that I should beleive everything I read online. I have a 2004 Grand AM GT and I am also having the turn signal issue. The gentleman that answered the phone told me that there was nothing they could do, even though I mentioned how dangerous not having turn signal could be. He just states that I need to have someone look at this. I have had issues off and on, changed the fuses, even purchase a new car battery.
Any suggestions?
I can’t say that I’m too surprised… You’re just going to need to do what we’ve done: fix it yourself.
I had the same problem. My blinkers and hazards have worked randomly for two years now. After coming across this page, I called GMC. They immediately advised me that there was an “optional recall” and connected me with the closest local dealer. The problem was resolved within 3 days at no cost. I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am. Had it not been for my son needing to take his own drivers test in my car, I would have never researched this and come across this information. I had given up. Thank you for the information and good luck to the rest of you.
I just bought this car and the problem with the turning signal persists. I called the Pontiac number,gave them my VIN and ended up with a grand total of NOTHING. I will end up fixing it myself, thanks for posting the pictures and directions.
Thanks for the info, as long as the car was under 150,000 miles (which it was) it was free.
Mine did the same thing i went to O’Reilly my 2002 grand am sometimes the blinkers worked and sometimes they didnt i went to O’Reilly and bought the blinker flasher button thats above the radio and that fixed my problem it was only $17.99 for it and took about 5 minutes to replace so dont spend alot of money for anything else try this first
I have 2000 Grand Am that had the exact same problem. This totally worked and was not hard to do. The pictures made it super easy! Thanks for the info.
I have a 2004 Grand Am SE and replaced the hazard switch about 18 months ago. The clicking noise stopped for a while but within 12 months it returned. Today I tried to clean the excess grease out of the multifunction switch (bmorris’s post on Dec 29/09) as the clicking noise has been constant for the past few days. The instructions were clear and accurate and it only took about 30 minutes to do. I just returned from a drive and so far no clicking noise!!!
Here’s hoping it stays away.
Thanks for the feedback. I’m having the same problem, too, so I’ll try it sometime.
Just wanted to thank you Brian for the excellent instructions on changing the hazard switch. GM would not cover mine since the car had 158k on it they would only cover to 150k.
GM is %^&^^$##
Any way NAPA has the part for 17.70 and a half hours work the part is installed and working good, so far.
I won’t ever buy another GM product and let the people there know this, they wouldnt change the policy for warranty. They lost a customer for life over a 10.00 part, lost thousands of dollars in sales also.
Thanks for the information. I called the 1-800 number and had the car fixed the next day.
thanks for all of the information – especially the pictures – called the hotline for Pontiac recall – they assigned me a Case # and said there was not a recall on my 2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT but that it would fall under the extended warranty since I only have 89,000 miles. They want me to take it in to the dealer and have them perform a $90.00 diagnostic fee to verify and will fix it for ‘free’ if it checks out. Frankly I don’t trust them and would probably be better off just buying the part and fixing it myself like I did with the window sash kit!!!(which by the way has a great series of repair pictures as well on the A1 Electric website.
I just did what the other gentleman suggested e.g. (By brmorris on Dec 29, 2009)I have a 04′ Grand Am Gt with the same intermittant clicking even when I am not engaging the turn signal. The fix worked great! Thanks brmorris. However, I’d like to add this step to save you some time. You’ll need the following items which I picked up at advance auto parts. 1)dieelectric grease (small tube) 2) #10 torx head screwdriver/set 3) 7mm socket (to remove unit from column 4) 4 Q-tips 5)medium size rubber band. First unsnap the clam shell gently by pulling apart at the seam next to the turn signal, then the same on the other side. Remove the three electrical connectors (carefully). Use the 7mm socket and remove center screw from the multifunction switch (top center). After you go inside on a clean table wrap the rubber band around the wipe arm side of the unit. This will prevent that side from coming apart when you loosen the 3-4 torx screws later. The unit should be laying on the table with the arms facing away from you with the U shape pointing up. Now completely remove the 4 torx screws on the left side (turn signal side) and just loosen the remaining screws on the right side (wiper arm).
Gently pry apart the turn signal side about 1/2 – 3/4 inch slowly. Place a pencil or something not too big to hold it apart. Look inside and you’ll see a lot of black greasy mess. Use a couple q-tips to completely remove that mess off the flat contact side and the two little brass contacts as well. Take your dielectric grease and place on a clean q-tip and throughly lube up the brass contact plate and the two little contacts. Reassemble and you’re done!
One last note. I spoke to a Pontiac master mechanic and he told me point blank that the hazard switch isn’t the problem that causes the clicking. After about 150k miles the grease and gunk just builds up inside and needs to be cleaned. But the service shops would rather replace the old mechanism and bill you for labor and parts. It took me 30 minutes including going to get the dielectric grease. The grease cost $3.15 vs. $300+ for parts & labor to replace.
Great comment! I will need to do this soon, so maybe I’ll add pictures.
Oh, one thing I left out. When you reinstall the switch unit make sure you take a small flat head screwdriver or business card and push the spring loaded pin in before seating the switch back in place. This pin/contact is for your horn! If you try to force it, you’ll have more problems. The pin seats/touches the round brass ring inside the steel wheel like a pick up shoe.
Thanks for the info, saved alot of time. and of course called pontiac,,no help, not in recall, called and complained to hot line also.. I have a 2002 grand am gt with 75,000 on it…
Well one day later after filed complaint pontiac called me. Said under special plan for 1999-2002 grand am they will fix my car at dealership.. the code you will need is 04098a you need to tell that to the dealership…Again i have a 2002 grand am gt with 75,000 on it..
We’re having the same issue(s) with my Pontiact Grand Am 2002. I really should read those recall notices I receive I guess. My husband is on the phone with Pontiac right now. We’ve been having the “click click” noise for a while now. More annoying than anything. Then fairly recently the signal lights totally stopped working on a regular basis and work less and less. didnd know about the hazard light though until reading this and sure enough it doesnt work either
We’ve had the light bulbs replaced, we’ve had some type of wiring in the lights replaced which worked a little a few months ago but now my signals hardly work at all. we’re being told by pontiac that yes it is covered by the recall but only if the dealership diagnosis my car with that specific problem. we’re playing telephone tag with the dealership
I have a similar problem with a similar car. I have a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am and for the last year the turn signals work randomly. One minute they work and the next they dont. Sometimes is the left and sometimes is the right one. And some other times both. I’ve noticed that whenever they are not working, the parking light (which is the same bulb) isnt working either. When my car is on and running, even during the day, my front parking lights are supouse to be on. But when one of the turn signal doesnt work, the parking light on that side doesnt either. I tought it could be a bad bulb sucket or connector but what are the chances on both been bad at the same time. Please help! Is not safe to drive with not signal lights! And right now i cant afford to take it to the shop! Could it still be the hazzad switch as suggested above? HELP!
Yep. I did exactly that and right now it is working fine. The switch costs about 31 dollars at the local auto store. They thought I was asking about a different switch when I called them. So have a part number ready and tell me! I didn’t bother trying to take out the switch ‘cleanly’, since it was already broken I just snap the two tabs. I was careful with the ‘black’ part of the panel though.
I also found this site that help!
http://homereparations.blogspot.com/2010/10/2001-grand-am-turn-signals-not-working.html
Just a little update, it is getting cold here in Canada and I was afraid that the problem will come back. But it is working like a charm, crossing my fingers, after I changed the switch. Hope this switch works for another 3 to 5 years…
Well, so much for that fix. The hazard switch fix did work until this past weekend. In the morning on the way to a concert it was working fine but on the way home it decided to stop working. The turn signal lights come on and so does the hazard light but it’s a solid and won’t blink
out of curiosity. can you tell us with switch you used? As well as how long it worked for?
Thanks for the post, Brian. I was able to fix a friends car in about 20 minutes tonight because of this article.
To the other posters: I used the Dorman part from O’Reilly’s or Advance Auto Parts. I’m reading from reviews they are only good for a couple years, so I kept the receipt.
Hi,
I have the same clicking problem with my 1999 v6 3.4. This last summer we rebuilt the engine due to the leaking gaskets. Then this fall i was having problems with the car sputtering and running harshly around 3500 rpms. We replaced the fuel lines, fuel filter and the fuel pressure regulator is fine. We think its the catalytic converter. I had the multifunction switch replaced but the ticking continues.. Do you think it may just be the hazard switch? Also my mom owns a 99 ga as well her parking lights stay on and do not shut off like they are supposed to after the car is off. She had to unplug the battery to keep it from dying. I took out the fuse to the parking lights which solved the problem of the lights staying on but now her passenger side headlight does not work properly and she has no dash lights has anyone else encountered this problem? I am losing my mind any info would be greatly appreciated!! 🙂
Alison,
I think that a multi-function switch as it goes bad causes the hazard switch to go bad, so even if you replace the multi-function, the hazard will need to be replaced, too.
Thank you very much!