2001 Pontiac Grand Am, Fixing The Turn Signal Switch

On the previous post I had already removed the turn signal switch shown below. To view that post click here.

I placed the switch in a clean secure location because I did not know what might pop out of it. I have never had one of these apart before.

I flipped it over and found multiple torx screws.

I started removing them with my trusty ratcheting driver.

I found that I had to use a regular torx driver for one screw due to clearance against the housing.

With all of the screws removed I separated the halves and luckily nothing popped out. The first thing I noticed was the dark colored grease that not only was on the contact surfaces but in between them. The grease in the area to the left was clear.

Same thing with the contacts on the other half of the switch. Clear grease versus dark grease.

I could see no reason for there to have been two different types of grease used so I removed the old grease with a rag and then started cleaning the contact surfaces with an eraser. By the way an eraser is the absolute best thing to clean tarnished contacts with.

Now the contacts are nice and clean. The depression in the center contact looked like it was that way from the factory and not caused by wear.

Using a pocket screw driver, I removed the dark grease from the slots between the contacts.

I lightly coated the contacts with dielectric grease.

I made sure the spring in the center of the picture below was securely installed in it’s hole and put the two halves back together again.

I installed the switch and the problem was gone. Now for what had happened. The turn signals are the most used part of that switch and transfer of copper and copper oxides had built up in the grease and as a result the grease would conduct a slight bit of current. This current would keep the relay working even though technically it was not commanded to.

The above picture shows the horn contact that has to be pushed and held in so that the switch can be installed on the steering column.

10 discussions on “2001 Pontiac Grand Am, Fixing The Turn Signal Switch”

  1. Your problem will be a faulty hazard switch in the dash. The actual hazard flasher and turn signal relay is built into the switch. The next time the turns signals do not work, try turning the hazards ion and off a couple of times. Most of the time they will go right back to working for a little while if you do this. Then buy you a hazard switch and replace it.

  2. This is a great step my step, and gave me an idea of what may be wrong with my 2001 pontiac grand am.
    My car doesnt continuously click though, my turn signal sometimes doesnt work. everything else will work like the hazards but they blinkers wont, and when they do work sometimes they will stop in mid blink, or just wont work at all.

  3. Thanks for posting this. The dealer was going to charge us $360 to replace switch…followed your guide and the problem was fixed for the cost of the grease($1.29)!

  4. Thank you for this post. My wife’s 2003 Grand Am had this problem and it got to the point where it was clicking constantly (really annoying). I first thought it was the flasher located behind the hazard lights switch so I bought a new one and changed it (had to get it from a dealer for like $25). When that didn’t fix it I started searching online and found your post and it seems to have fixed the problem. Before finding this post I was thinking I might have to buy a new turn signal switch. So you helped save me around $100, which is great for a young married couple in college. Thanks again.

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