DIY: (First Gen. Rogue) Turn Signal Switch Repair

Nissan Rogue forum - Includes Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Dualis as well.
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Qashqai
Posts: 614
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:30 am

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I had a problem with my turn switch. You can watch the video on my post (turn-signal-problem-t568009.html?hilit=signal#p6416132) and see the problem.

This is my second turn switch and for the last two months, I have the same original problem again. I am suprised that I am the only Rogue owner in this Forum, who has such a problem with the turn signal (and it is the second switch that malfunctioned).

I was sure that the problem is not related to the computer (which regulates the flashing speed and sound) or a failed bulb. I was also sure that there was an electrical or mechanical problem with the switch itself. I could go to the dealer and ask them to change the switch, but first I have to "convince" them that the switch needs to be replaced than wait for one or two weeks for the part to come and than a second appointment to replace the switch and next year I am sure that second switch will malfunction...So I decided to open the switch and see what is wrong.

First I found out how to remove the switch from the FSM. At first I thought I need to remove the steering wheel, disconnect airbag without deploying :ohno: and remove the switch assembly with the clock spring. However, after reading the related parts of the FSM, I realized how easy removing the switch is:

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So here is how to remove the switch and clean it:

1. You need to remove the steering wheel column cover. You can follow the steps on the FSM. Just remove steering lock escutcheon, three screws (they were Philips screws, not torx) and the top and bottom cover pieces (no need to remove the knee protector).

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Here is the bottom cover. The three screw locations are circled in red:

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2. Press the two plastic pawls. Red circles:

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You don't even have to disconnect any wires or connectors, they are automatically disconnected when you pull the switch:

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3. Here is the switch. Now take your time and be careful. There are two sides. I call them: Electronic and Mechanical (I wrote ''E'' and ''M'' on the picture).

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I recommend to open the Electronic part first to inspect and clean. I didn't open the Mechanical part, but I am pretty sure there is a high risk of breaking or loosing a moving part and a high chance of doing something wrong when putting them together. Remember, that switch has many axes: forward, backward, up, down and turns around central handle axis...that means many grease covered complicated joints and sliders...

4. Two Philips screws hold the Electronic cover (see the red circles on the picture above). Remove the cover and carefully pry the white plastic case to pop up the circuit board. Watch the wire that is soldered to the board (if you have fog light, you have those wires).

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Please be careful. Don't shake or move the assembly anymore. Many movable parts will be exposed:

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5. Here is the inside of the Electronic part of the switch. Here you can see the double pinned metal contacts and thier matching surcafes where those contacts are sliding on:

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They applied a type of grease/lubricant/oil all over the contacts. I am pretty sure they did it for a reason. I think the reason was to protect the contacts from oxidation and dust. There were no dust sticked on the oil (so the switch is pretty much dust proof) and I have no idea why they worried about oxidation of gold plated contacts. Maybe their concern was the friction between the slider contacts and the circuit board would wear the conductive surface...even in that case, my switch was not funcioning properly because of that grease. When you look closely, you can see that there is an oxidation on the turn switch contacts (the most used one). So, since that grease didn't do a good job, I decided to clean it.

I really don't care if the friction due to the lack of grease wears the conductive surface on the circuit board in four five years. It is the next owners problem ;)

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Now the switch is cleaner that my ear canal :lolling:

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Put all the pieces back together.

IMPORTANT: Try to move the switch arm left right, backward and forward slowly to see all the plactic pieces with contacts are moving properly before closing the assembly.

Now my switch is working without any problem.


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ImStricken06
Posts: 4511
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Car: 2008 Nissan Rogue (sold)
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
2016 Kia Sorento
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LOOK AT THIS GUY!! DAMN DUDE! GREAT WORK HOMIE!!!!

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darylzero
Posts: 1267
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:28 am
Car: Nissan Rogue 2009 SL AWD Premium Pkg.

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DAMN Qashqai!! Nice Frickin' job! Great write up. That is is some top notch detective work :naughty:

TrevorK
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 6:48 am
Car: 11 Rogue SV FWD

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Qashqai wrote:This is my second turn switch and for the last two months, I have the same original problem again. I am suprised that I am the only Rogue owner in this Forum, who has such a problem with the turn signal (and it is the second switch that malfunctioned).
Signal? The rest of us don't do that so we don't have to worry about this problem.

Good job on the writeup, it's really detailed and shows exactly what you did to fix the problem.

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ImStricken06
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TrevorK wrote:Signal? The rest of us don't do that so we don't have to worry about this problem.
right on! i dont use my turn signals, strictly for operational security reasons. in todays world, its no ones business where i am going.Image
lol/jk

edjose17
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2010 6:29 am
Car: 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5SE
2011 Nissan Rogue SV

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My 2011 Rogue started to have this same problem a week ago. Will be trying your repair method before purchasing a new switch.

Thanks for sharing this.

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Qashqai
Posts: 614
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:30 am

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edjose17 wrote:My 2011 Rogue started to have this same problem a week ago.
I am sorry to hear you have this problem, but at the same time, I am glad to know I am not the only one.
edjose17 wrote:Will be trying your repair method before purchasing a new switch.
Never buy a new switch. They changed mine under warranty and one year later it started to do the same thing. There is a design problem (I will explain below) and I believe sooner or later all 2011-2013 Rogue owners will start to have this issue.
edjose17 wrote:Thanks for sharing this.
No problem. I hope the method below will permanently solve your problem.

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To be honest, after this repair I still had that "tick-tick" noise. I was to lazy to open it again...However, today, after Edjose17's post, I decided to give it a second look (after all, other people started to have this issue and I have to do my best to help them. I owe it to this forum ;) ).

I finally found the problem. It is hard to explain it in writing but I will try:

If you examine the switch carefully, when you lift (or lower) the signal arm partially, first it starts to "tick" and if you keep on lifting (or lowering), after an intermittent pause, it clicks again. That pause is caused by the impact from the "plastic tab's(*)" locking motion. While it is locking, it causes a very small gap between the circuit board and connectors.

(*)I have no idea what is the name of the protruding plastic tab that is used to turn off the switch automatically when you turn the steering wheel. Lets call it "plastic tab". It is the yellow square profiled plastic piece on the bottom of the first picture below.

The solution is to insert a plastic piece between the cover and circuit board to push the circuit board to the sliders, even when the plastic tab is shaking the switch.

Pictures will help you. When you remove the switch and take a look, you will understand what I mean:

Here is the plastic piece that I inserted to the corner of the switch (under that corner, the sliders is sliding up and down):

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Look at the picture below: Did you notice that there should be two locking tabs, but there is only one (I inserted the plastic piece to the missing tabs place). That is the reason for all this trouble:

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Two of them:

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I used the small portion of plastic screw caps (it should be plastic for obvious reasons):

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It is NOW working properly.

(Note: when I was under the steering wheel, assembling the column cover, my Nissan dealer called me and invite me to the dealer for "incredible deals on 2014 Rogue's" :lolling: . Perfect timing!)

edjose17
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2010 6:29 am
Car: 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5SE
2011 Nissan Rogue SV

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Update
my switch was fine. the bulb was not burn out. However it appears it was the contach between the front turn signal bulb and the harness where it is connected.
When I unplugged the bulb and plug it back, the problem was solved.

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ImStricken06
Posts: 4511
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edjose17 wrote:Update
my switch was fine. the bulb was not burn out. However it appears it was the contach between the front turn signal bulb and the harness where it is connected.
When I unplugged the bulb and plug it back, the problem was solved.
i think i have the identical issue you did. i fiddled with the bulb and all is fine now. can you update if the repair worked for you?


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