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Post by giannid on May 2, 2008 19:56:51 GMT -6
I guess my Rora got the multi-switch issue. I'm gonna try cleaning it up. If this doesn't work, I think they are selling them on ebay for $190. My question is ... how much do you think a mechanic will charge for this kind of repair? Once you have all the covers off, is it something that is easy to replace?
Thanks in advance,
Gianni
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Post by kobrak on May 3, 2008 11:51:01 GMT -6
Folks, if the cleaning coesn't work, take it apart and really give it a go. I just did this on my sisters Buick GS. The tuner cleaner didn't work so I snapped the switch apart and scrubbed it good. Seems to be working now.
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Post by giannid on May 3, 2008 18:24:27 GMT -6
Folks, if the cleaning coesn't work, take it apart and really give it a go. I just did this on my sisters Buick GS. The tuner cleaner didn't work so I snapped the switch apart and scrubbed it good. Seems to be working now. So it's not an impossible task to replace it? My switch needs to be cleaned, but all the white lettering is off too, so I'm thinking about buying a new one on Ebay and changing it. I am just concern about the accessibility of all the connectors for the switch. Thanks, Gianni |
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Post by hk45ca on Jul 5, 2008 19:07:56 GMT -6
well, it looks like it is my turn now. park lights are flashing on my wifes 99 aurora. they do it if the car is running or locked up with the key in my hand so it looks like i need to get some contact cleaner. i will report back next week and post my results!! wish me luck. lol  |
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Post by hk45ca on Jul 6, 2008 17:41:23 GMT -6
it's fixed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for now any way. lol ;D we will see how long it holds up but for now no more involuntary flashing park lights. i just about wore the search function but the information was invaluable, well, about 600.00 anyway. the wife is very happy now that her car if fixed. now it's time for that favorite beverage, ice cold bud!!!!!!!!!!! i am not a photographer so here are my crappy pictures, enjoy!!!!! ;D    almost forgot, a pic of my sunday ride!!   |
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Post by rjb420 on Aug 19, 2008 8:41:44 GMT -6
I don't know if anyone will still read this thread, but this really did the trick for me.
Thanks!
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Post by hk45ca on Aug 23, 2008 22:15:10 GMT -6
surely they will because it is a good fix. my wifes car is doing great!!!!
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Post by majoraurora on Sept 12, 2008 7:54:48 GMT -6
My Turn!!!! Will post when complete. 
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Post by bigpoppa06 on Jan 16, 2009 0:39:52 GMT -6
hey guys wanted to add something i got from another site i dont know about other years but 95 was about and before u go buy anything i got this solution from a aguy at another website the probelem is with the mutifunction headlswitch he said he removed it it seems the factory packed to grease and it was shorting out thats why it clicks and flashes he said he cleaned up excess grease and it was fixed hope this was helpful i would try this before i replace it is expensive
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Post by manatee555 on Mar 14, 2009 15:54:55 GMT -6
When my Aurora started having this problem, I called my mechanic. He gave me a few ideas but none worked. My wife found this site and saw the procedure to correct the problem. I can't thank you enough. Instead of looking at the possibility of shelling out close to five hundred bucks, I ended up paying $10.99 for a can of contact cleaner, $10.00 for a 5mm nut driver and $4.00 for a can of compressed air. I can't thank you enough. Now My power steering is acting up when turning to the right. Any suggestions?
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scottydl
Super Moderator 
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Mar 14, 2009 22:11:19 GMT -6
Glad to hear! That's what this forum is for. I'd suggest posting a new thread for the power steering problem. Check the reservoir - your fluid is probably low and there's a leak somewhere to track down.
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Post by skulljumper on Apr 27, 2009 20:32:37 GMT -6
I just wanted to thank you for the write up. My lights started flickering with a constant clicking sound. Eventually lights would not go off. For the last 6 weeks I have been pulling 2 fuses under the back seat , one for the headlights and the other for parking lights.Well today I found some heavy duty CRC electrical parts cleaner and spayed as directed about 12 different times working it in, following by compressed air directly from my air compressor, let set for 1 hour and then hooked up the battery. Works great!!!!! Hopefully a permanent fix..Thank you guys so much for the write up... I have learned so much stuff from this forum. My aurora is running great thanks to you guys! ;D
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Post by wimdizl323 on May 6, 2009 21:24:24 GMT -6
ok im haveing a light issue but i dont know if this will solve it my interiour lights are flashing not on and off but dim to bright like the altanator is about to go is there a voltage regulator or is it on the altanator
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Post by aarcuda on Jun 22, 2009 18:58:45 GMT -6
well it appears that the operation was a success. The job has been completed and everything is put back together and so far so good. no clicking. no flashing. my fingers are crossed that this is a permanent fix well not a permanent fix. as it is happening as we speak. So i get to do this all over again and hope it works once more |
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Post by cbburtraw on Jun 23, 2009 11:23:58 GMT -6
well it appears that the operation was a success. The job has been completed and everything is put back together and so far so good. no clicking. no flashing. my fingers are crossed that this is a permanent fix well not a permanent fix. as it is happening as we speak. So i get to do this all over again and hope it works once more read the thread that covers taking it apart. its not too hard. |
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Post by hk45ca on Jun 24, 2009 18:12:29 GMT -6
well not a permanent fix. as it is happening as we speak. So i get to do this all over again and hope it works once more read the thread that covers taking it apart. its not too hard. your right, it's not permanent. i did this just a few days shy of a year ago and it is doing it again only this time the headlights are flashing also. the twilight sentenal controller was buzzing when the lights would flash so i changed it. wasted 357.00, it is still doing it. i tried cleaning the multifunction switch again but it's a no go. what bothers me is the headlights are flashing this time along with the park lights and the relays in that controller are buzzing when the lights flash. i don't know if their is anything else in this system that will cause this. any ideas? edit to add, i got another can of circuit board cleaner and shot down it and i just kept messing with it then i blew it out very good and let it sit for about 1 hour. i checked and it worked. i think i am going to have to take the multifunction switch apart and clean the contacts. hopefully it will last until i have time to work on it. |
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Post by kbpickle on Sept 13, 2009 18:51:20 GMT -6
Saturday: The first day of the buzzing and clicking in the dash, and headlights and parking lights that wouldn't turn off. Trips to Office Max and Advance Auto for compressed gas and electrical cleaner.
Sunday: Mid-repair, emergency trip to Sears to get 3/16" nut driver. Apparently successful completion of the MF Switch cleaning procedure, today. Headlights now turn off, buzzing has stoped. Here's what I learned to make it easier when it's your turn:
a) Like the instructions say, you really do need a 3/16" nut driver. A small 3/16" socket won't get that last fastener on the underside of the steering column cover. (I'm not real good at following directions.)
b) The airbag connector behind the knee bolster has a metal clip intended to allow it to be fastened up out of the way on the white nylon piece up under the dash. If yours is hanging down as in the photos, you might consider re-fastening it when you're done.
c) Like the instructions say, pull out the little green 'keeper' piece before separating the air bag connector - Not the little blue piece. I never did get the little blue piece out. (I'm not real good at following directions.)
d) Of course full wrap-around safety glasses are called for in the cleaning part of this procedure - - you'll be using compressed gas and aerosol solvents on tiny pieces, with your face right up to the work. This is really not optional. I received three squirts of cleaner solvent right on the safety glasses. And, the cleaning should be accomplished in well ventilated circumstances.
e) As eurora suggested in 2005, remove the tilt lever, too. I think it would have been much much easier to remove the lower portion of the steering column cover.
f) I pulled the fuses before the lights could drain the battery. The headlamps fuse is under the back seat in my '99. The parking light fuses are in the side compartment on the dash.
g) I draped my car washing towels around the interior surfaces to keep the solvent from spraying onto them.
Ken
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Post by electrostatictommy on Sept 27, 2009 11:39:54 GMT -6
After applying vinyl and rubber dressing to my steering column and multifunction switch, my headlights started this flashing problem. After reviewing this sticky I looked behind the rubber molding at the base of the switch and could see the five holes described in this link without removing any of the steering wheel shrouding.  Here are pictures of the same switch after removing steering wheel shroud.   I just pulled the rubber back and sprayed the holes with this with the extender pipe attached:  I then blew out excess with my air compressor:  It cleaned it up and works perfectly now!!  |
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Post by sall on Feb 24, 2010 14:38:19 GMT -6
Did no one notice that the airbag fuse labeled in the sticky is incorrect?
It should be the very first 10A fuse in the first row from left to right.
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Post by governor on Jul 10, 2010 10:22:59 GMT -6
My turn today on the 99'!
Mine's been clicking for some time - only when driving. I found it clicked more depending on the temp. Over the years it only clicked like crazy at around 50°(10°C), but it finally went this week and the lights were on/off while the car was off --> I needed a boost after work!
The recent 95°(35°C) heat here in Ottawa must have expanded theinternal components enough to cross the threshold.
I think I found the last 5mm deep socket in town (Arnprior, ON, Canada). Thank you Home Hardware! Crappy Tire (canadian tire) didn't even carry them as small as 5mm, and the little cute college girls at Rona didn't know where to look - but that's Ok. : )
I'll post an update later on..
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Post by governor on Jul 11, 2010 13:30:46 GMT -6
Update:
....as expected from the many, many posts......this was a success so far!!! The lights are no longer flicking on/off by the ghost of Oldsmobile. Thanks for the post and amazing instructions!!! CHEERS!!!
One thing I'd like to point out is there appears to be some confusion surrounding the clicking sound. Although there is a clicking associated with this headlight / multi-switch issue, there is another clicking that originates from under the dash that is not related to this issue - I have had both issues.
With all the panels off, I can verify the clicking sound that originates from the headlight/multiswitch - just by turning it on/off. But while I was test driving, the other clicking issue is still there. It is the faulty blinker relay canister where the blinker goes off on it's own(without the actual light) as well -- very easily mistaken for the other click. That canister is fairly cheap and easily replaced.
I just wanted to point this out, because I've read posts where folks are saying the problem seems to have gone but the clicking sound is still there.
thx again...
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Post by kbpickle on Jul 11, 2010 21:29:43 GMT -6
The firs MFS repair on my '99 was in September 2009. Second repair in July 2010. So, for me 10 months between repairs. I'm ok with that.
More learning on the second time around, hope it helps others:
a) The fastener on the tilt steering column lever is a Torx #25.
b) Consider taping your cup holder closed so that you won't keep opening it with your shoulder or elbow as you work under the dash.
c) I used a lot more contact cleaner this time. I watched it just pour out of the little screw openings.
d) Again, had several squirts of contact cleaner ricochet right into my face. Protective wrap-around safety shields are an absolute must to protect your eyes.
Ken
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Post by carluvr on Aug 7, 2010 16:51:47 GMT -6
Hello,
I'm wondering if someone could explain how you disconnect the plug/connector for the multifunction switch from the main harness "bulk head connector" up under the dash. I've been working on this all afternoon with no luck. I see a bolt going through the harness which I have tried to loosen but it just turns and doesn't seem to do anything. It seem this is the most difficult part of the job for me.
Thanks in advance,
Shawn
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Post by auroyra on Oct 29, 2010 12:33:21 GMT -6
Access the switch by simply lifting the boot?  BRILLIANT! Atta boy,TommyBoy! This is on my to-do list for the weekend. This glitch drained my battery a few times to the point where it wouldn't hold a charge anymore.(old battery!) New battery:$135........This forum:PRICELE$$! |
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Post by ahborah on Nov 4, 2010 17:57:50 GMT -6
Anyone want to sell my or donate their unused horn pin? I broke mine and Money is tight. I need to get this fixed by the end of December. (inspection is due) Ill even trade you a DVD movie or something.
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Post by serc on Jul 16, 2011 12:24:16 GMT -6
Thank You Very Much . I have been symptom free for over a week now thanks to ERW38 and his repair manual . If the fix is only temporary , then Tommyboys "Boot Access " will shorten the next round of head aches. Thanks again.
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Post by adfdsfdwefsfd on Aug 27, 2011 13:27:47 GMT -6
I tried this but no luck... no more clicks but parking lamp still doesn't work
What I find out is the parking lamp fuse in rear disables door open warning, if I pull out the fuse, door open warning(key out) works. Does this mean something's wrong with parking lamp relay?
Where are those relays?
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Post by wireless on Oct 23, 2011 19:32:20 GMT -6
Looks like my car just started doing this today..
Too bad it's 8:30 pm and it's too dark to do it all tonight =(
Hope my battery doesn't die.
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Post by wireless on Oct 28, 2011 10:19:49 GMT -6
Haven't had time to do this yet -- Can anyone tell me about how long this would take? 45 minutes tops?
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RCA1186
Administrator 
Rob
Go Pack Go!
Posts: 4,853 
Staff Member
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Post by RCA1186 on Mar 23, 2012 10:15:00 GMT -6
Looks like I'm the latest member of this club, got the flashing headlights while driving my father to the dealer to get his torrent worked on, I suspect the LCM though....
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BRILLIANT!
