Hello everyone,
First time poster here. I have a 1998 SE 142k and whenever I use the left turn signal it either clicks rapidly or goes on and off and is very sensitive. Do I basically just need a new signal? How do I got about doing this repair. Is there a link already on the site?
thanks ,
Ted

 

In most cars, the rapid blinking is a signal that you have a turn signal bulb out. Check your turn signal lights and see if one is dim or completely dead, start there.

BTW - Welcome to MCF!

 

What about it not working all the time? It works when it wants to or if I gently tap the signal switch towards me or directly away from me.
thanks,
Ted

 

You may be dealing with two separate problems.

First, the rapid blinking is probably a bad bulb.

The not working at all until you tap the wand is probably a failure of the "multifunction switch" (name may vary, may also be a "turn signal switch". I think GM has issues with those. I replaced 3-4 of them in the 9 years I had my '94 Grand Am. My high beams on my '04 Monte don't work because of it (I don't use high beams around me, so I have not been motivated to replace it).

The only other item that could cause both situations is a "flasher module". I had an old style one years ago fail in a car causing rapid signal flashing. But again, easy enough to check, if you have a bulb that is blown, change it, if the rapid flashing goes away, then it was a bulb, move on to fixing that switch in the column.

 

Curious to know the fix for you. I had this issue where the signal would work only if I held the signal arm in just the right place. Turns out it was the switch found inside the steering column and boy is that a pain to replace. YouTube 98 Monte Carlo Turn Signal and look at the video from poster zcomputer. Very detailed an exactly what I needed. But getting the two clips off was unbelievably challenging for me. Large guy, small space, very small parts and eyesight not quite what it needs to be. I think I have to do this again... Took me way too many hours and was more aggravating than playing the game of Operation blind folded if you get shocked when the nose lights up. Yep, that bad.