2001 Outback Wagon

About a week ago, after switching off the turn signal, the ticking sound continued (though the signal did not blink). By jiggling the signal stalk, it would stop.

Now, there is a constant "ticka-ticka-ticka" that I can't get to stop. The turn signal still works fine, so there is no safety issue (yet).

My assumption is that the switch in the steering column is shot.

My question for the experts out there is:

Is this likely to be an easy and relatively inexpensive fix, or is it a "The switch is an integral part of the steering column, so we have to replace the whole thing" type of deal?

Thanks

fuse?

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Not sure of the issue, but this is an area to be very careful around as there is an airbag in the steering wheel. Not knowing what you're doing may lead to a much more costly repair.

Are you sure that the ticking is coming from the stalk? The stalk should only be a two position switch. The blinking comes from one or two flasher units that either plug into the fuse block or a socket somewhere under the steering wheel.

fast tick / click used to be an indicator of a burned out bulb or a bad flasher module

You sure all the flashers work ? Try 4 way emergency too.

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That's the baseball card stuck in the rim

The last time I went to replace a turn signal switch I skipped the part in the manual where it was written (in BOLD) to support the column in the engine compartment with a block of wood or you'd break everything.
Everything broke.

Actually, I prefer the Ace of Spades, far more menacing.

I will double check the fuses and bulbs.

Thanks!

A fuse can be the problem ONLY if nothing happens when using the turn signal.

The turn signal switch is 3-way, on-off-on.

If you are hearing ticking when the signal is off and the lights are not flashing, it is probably the stalk switch, although that should not really happen. If there is power, the switch is on, the flasher is good, and all of the bulbs are good, the lights should blink.

If the switch is off, even though all else remains the same, nothing should happen. If you hear ticking (the flasher????), lights should react by blinking. That means power gets to the flasher via the switch.

Some cars have circuit breakers that reset themselves, and this could be a source of your ticking noise. It would explain why no lights flash when turn signal switch is off but you hear ticking.

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Ed (modelamac)

I think I will just put an OUT OF ORDER
sticker on my head and call it a day.

PS: Don't assume that the ticking has to be coming from the turn signal system. Just use that as a place to start looking. It could be coming from a nearby circuit. Is anything else wrong/wierd/happening?

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Ed (modelamac)

I think I will just put an OUT OF ORDER
sticker on my head and call it a day.

BOMB!!! GET OUT OF THE CAR!!!!!

And today, of course, it is working fine. All the lights/signals work and the ticking has stopped.

I suppose that means the bomb has gone dormant...for now.

any solution to this yet??

I had the exact thing happen on our 2001 outback yesterday.

thanks for any help