turn signal makes a buzzing noise

[Ron Rickenbach]

I have a '95 explorer xlt. The left turn signal makes a buzzing sound
when engaged, and does not flash. It is not a problem on right side
position. Flashers work. By holding the switch partially down, I can
get the left blinker to work. It does not appear to be a flasher
problem, perhaps a faulty switch. Anybody have any ideas, or had the
problem? Thanks in advance. Ron

[DS]

As a longtime troubleshooter/technician type, I
usually take the easy/cheap approach first. Since
the flasher unit is very cheap and easy to replace,
I would try it first.

Good luck!

DS

[NE Whitlock]

I've had that problem. The only thing I would change if I had it again
is to check fordpartonline.com for the part, instead of buying from the
local dealership. I've bought a few things from them and been very
satisfied with the prices (though they can be hard to get on the phone).

Here's what I posted on the subject several months ago:

>>For what it's worth, changing (or even cleaning) the multi-funtion
>>switch is not that hard. The dealership in my town charged about
>>$55.00 for the switch itself, and I put it in without any trouble. I
>>have a 96, and had no problem with the airbag. If you want
>>instructions on how to change it, let me know, and I'll try to recall
>>all the steps. I first cleaned mine, and it fixed the (different)
>>problem temporarily. A few months later, I had to just buy a new one.

Here is how to get to the switch (from memory...someone correct me if I
miss something).
First, unscrew the tilt steering handle and remove it. Then use a Torx
driver to remove three screws from the bottom of the steering column.
The plastic cover on the bottom of the steering column should just come
right off. Screw the tilt steering handle back in and adjust the tilt
until you can get the top part of the cover partway off (you don't have
to take it all the way off). There should be three more Torx screws (a
larger size, I think) holding the multi-function switch to the steering
column. Take those out, and then it will be held on only by two wiring
harnesses. Use a flat screwdriver to carefully pop those off. Then you
can either take the switch apart and clean it or replace it with a new
one. As I said, I had to do both (which is why I can remember the steps
to get to the switch).

[NE Whitlock]

Oops! That's:
http://www.fordpartsonline.com
That darn internet doesn't do well with misspelled addresses.

[Ron Rickenbach]

Thanks alot! I will let you know how it turns out. I am convinced it
is a problem in the switch itself as the flasher will work if I play
with it even on the left side, in fact the swtich can be encouraged to
stop buzzing with some encouragement.

[NE Whitlock]

I'm sure it's the switch, too. Mine behaved exactly the same.

[WLW]

Turn Signal Chatter-
I too have had this problem in my 1998 Eddie Bauer Explorer TWICE. I
discovered the noise originated from a small yellow electrical device
beneath the dash at the side of the steering column. Simply by
"reseating" the electrical connector it has fixed the problem every
time. The electrical component is rectangular and about two inches by
one inch. I'm not sure what it is and the parts guy at the local Ford
dealer wasn't sure either. All I know is if I fiddled with the
connector to tighten it in place, the problem went away. It hasn't
returned for nearly a year.

Best of Luck!

[Just Me]

It also might be the turn signal switch itself. I had a problem where I
would get a buzzing noise, instead of a turn signal, on a left turn
indication, but only intermittently. I tried replacing the "small yellow
electrical device", the turn signal relay, but that did not fix mine. I
have a '97 XLT.

Search this forum with something like Google and you should find the
original thead I found that helped me fix mine. It is not difficult. There
are about 3 or 4 screws that hold on the covers on the steering column, and
then some torx screws on the switch itself. The hardest part was getting
the connector off the switch. Make sure you follow appropriate safety steps
since you are working around the airbag, etc. etc. I think the switch was
$50 something plus tax.

Regards,

Dave

"WLW" <Wayne.W...@engineer.com> wrote in message
news:2b8effff.02091...@posting.google.com...

[aik...@gmail.com]

Can you explain how you got to it? Mine is doing the same thing and I can not afford to take it in!

[jess...@gmail.com]

1998 chevy s-10
I had a similar problem with the buzzing sound when trying to signal. Turned out to be the flasher unit, which is a much cheaper and easier replacement to make than the switch unit.

[fjm...@gmail.com]

I have the exact same issue for two years now, at least. On and off, intermittently. Frustrated I went ahead and replaced the flasher, bulbs, and turn signal lever. Just when I thought I nailed it it came back and said 'I am back!'. I then came to the same exact conclusion as the gentleman stated above and am going to remove the flasher, check the connector's pins if 'loose' then make them tighter, and reconnect. I to noticed before and after replacing all the parts as mentioned when the flasher is touched or wiggled slightly it stops right there and function as it should. I waited again until it acted up and did the same thing again. So the culprit will be the plug/connection. If there is a male and female pin, then it might be loose, like a 18 year old boy banging a 80 year old cougar lady. ;-) Sometimes you put the lady's legs together and it is tighter, right? Same idea for the pins. lol Have fun and think about this post when you get around to messing with them pins. ;-) Good luck!