DougB

My switch is not acting up luckily, yet, but I had my truck at the dealer this week so I was looking around to see what all I could get them to look at while they have it. That led me to this thread.

After coming across the multifunction switch problem and this thread with the NHTSA investigation number, I found that they have closed the investigation and below are the results.

Remains to be seen if the extended warranty Chrysler will offer on this part will cover only the 3500 as mentioned in the investigation, or will they cover all vehicles that use the switch in question. I hope it's the latter option.

NHTSA Linky



NHTSA Action Number : PE08059
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make/Model/Build Years: DODGE / RAM 3500 / 2006

Manufacturer : CHRYSLER LLC

Component :
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

Date Investigation Opened : October 7, 2008
Date Investigation Closed : April 17, 2009

Summary:
ODI HAS CLOSED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON A REVIEW OF
THE COMPLAINTS, OTHER FIELD DATA AND TECHNICAL DATA
SUBMITTED BY CHRYSLER TO THE AGENCY. CHRYSLER REPORTS
THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IS HARD WIRED INTO THE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (IC) AND THE CLUSTER DECIDES WHICH
DIRECTION HAS BEEN SELECTED BASED ON AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL
FROM THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. THE IC SENDS A SIGNAL TO
THE VEHICLE'S TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) AND
THE TIPM RESPONDS BY CONTROLLING THE VOLTAGE AND FLASH
RATE OF THE EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL LAMPS AND THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL INDICATOR. CHRYSLER'S TESTING FOUND THAT IMPROPER
LEVELS OF RESISTANCE WITHIN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY
RESULT IN THE IC SELECTING THE WRONG DIRECTION.
COMPLAINANTS SAY THAT WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED, THE
VEHICLE MAY SIGNAL THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND THAT THE
PROBLEM IS OFTEN INTERMITTENT. THIS WOULD BE EVIDENT FROM
THE TURN INDICATOR LAMPS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS WELL
AS THE EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL LAMPS. EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT
SIGNALS MAY BE AFFECTED. DEALERS ARE CORRECTING THIS BY
REPLACING MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES ON THE STEERING
COLUMN. NEITHER ODI NOR CHRYSLER HAS RECEIVED ANY REPORT
OF A CRASH RELATED TO THE SUBJECT CONDITION. CHRYSLER
WILL IMPLEMENT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT
VEHICLE POPULATION. NOTIFICATION TO VEHICLE OWNERS IS TO
BEGIN IN MAY 2009. THIS ACTION IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT
TAKEN IN OTHER INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING TURN SIGNAL
FAILURES AT SIMILAR RATES. FURTHER USE OF AGENCY
RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.
ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF
THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA
THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY
WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.

sam

Mine are getting worse, sometimes not working at all. Hoped I could wait and see if we get a recall, but haven't heard a thing. I have corresponded with Chrysler, but can't get anywhere with them for now.

This ought to be a sticky.

gimmie11s

What did they extend the warranty to?

This is good news for now..... we'll have to see if my local dealer knows anything of it....

sam

The turn signals got to a point that they wouldn't even work, so I went to the dealer and had the part replaced. They have heard nothing about the recall. So, I will keep the receipt hoping they will reimburse me if they do recall the part. Cost ~$145. Probably could have done it myself, but wasn't sure.

Matt06

It's definitely a problem. I've been dealing with it for the past 4 months. It only does it when I use my left blinker, and I'm never sure when it's gonna act up. Looks like some have had good results from using dielectric grease on the multi-function switch. I'd like to try to fix it myself soon. Pictures of how to get to the switch and where to grease would be really helpful. Thanks.

jrippamonti

i have been having all of the same problems for a while now and have been wondering if it was an electrical short or if in fact it was the multi switch, thanks so much for the post!!! gonna call the dealership immediatly!

04ctd

i feel sick to my stomach just reading this....may try NOT to use blinkers on the way home, so I don't notice this problem...


used to have a F-150 that swung the wipers every so often, and give you a wipe, the whole family would yell "FREE WIPE"

that was replaced for free out of warranty. this should move to that stage.

jimnod22

I just recently bought a 2003 dodge 2500 SLT and drove it for a few months with no problems and at the beginning of this week the passenger side rear blinker stopped working i changed the bulbs, cleaned and greased the plugs and it still doesnt work but every once in a while it will work properly but then i will hit a bump and it will stop working. I cant figure it out and its driving me nuts. Any input would be appreciated greatly.

rjm022

mine went bad last summer. did the same thing-opposite blinker would blink. bought the part for 55.00 bucks and replace it in 30 minutes

papaduck

I have not had my '03 not work correctly but I have learned not to trust signal lights on any vehicle because of an incident that happened to me. I was in a hurry and a vehicle in front of me gave me a right turn signal into a small shopping center. There was a field on the left so I passed the vehicle. As soon as I passed, the vehicle turned left just missing my rear bumper! Shook me up at the time. I think the vehicle had the left turn signal/brake light out and the person was pumping the brakes giving me a wrong right turn signal.

I now never assume the signal is correct only that the person is planning some type of manuever and I allow for all contengencies.

Shorts

My MFS is crazy too. I took off the steering wheel column covers to get to it but couldn't figure out how to get the thing out! So, I unplugged the connector, cleaned it and put it back, fingers crossed it would hold out.

Anyway, my switch acts up when the steering wheel is in a certain tilt position and it's raining. Since I've figured that out i haven't had problems. I'm sure I'll have to eventually replace it though.

What happens is that wire ribbon of the switch gets kinked and bent and it jacks up the signal. That's why the tilt of the wheel affects it.