I have an 01 Ram 1500 Sport Offroad with the Tow package and as of a few weeks ago my turn signals started going on the fritz. When I engage the turn signal they will flash for a few cycles and then just stop, however sometime they will work without incident. I have checked the bulbs and they are all good and I am pretty sure the relays are good as well. My only guess is something is messed up with the switch inside the steering column.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

Help, please?

 

Could very well be a balky multi function switch and it would be a booger to diagnose. In fact most times they tell you just to replace it because it's not servicable. Could also be a pinched/shorted wire in the column. Either way you have to get in there to check things out. Is it just the turn signals acting up? Left; right; both?
WC

 

I would switch out the flasher relay from another vehicle just to make sure it hasn't gone bad. Quick and easy check. I'm on my 3rd one. The round guy in the fuse panel. The original wasn't a heavy duty one. The first one I got from advance lasted a couple of months. The next one is still going.

 

check the easy things first. replace flasher thing in fuse panel on end of dash drivers side, then bulbs in tail lights, also clean out/spray out their sockets with wd40.

if all thats good, it may be your multi-funtion switch on column. to remove it you remove the knee knocker panel, then the tilt handle, then the clam shell covers over the column. this requires a long skinny torx, probably #20 or 25. then to get the switch off you need a security torx, which is hollow, available in a kit at autozone. service manual or haynes has a procedure to test it, but if you've gotten this far, its easier to just go ahead and replace it for about $45. tip - replace the secuity torx with regular torx or allen head. 4 mm fine thread. BONUS - while you're there, to turn off the key in switch/door open dinger, unplug the 2 wire elec connector on ignition switch.

 

Excerpt from the FSM.
"The multi-function switch cannot be adjusted or
repaired. If any function of the switch is faulty, or if
the switch is damaged, the entire switch unit must
be replaced."
WC

 

Sometimes when my radio doesn't work Itry the oldCuss-and-Punch technique. Most times it doesn't fix the problem, but at leastI feel better.