Using Directionals Shuts Down my '03 GTP

I was coming home from work the other day and went to take a right turn, hit my directional and my baby shut down. Just before she shut down, my security light, airbag, check engine, oil, and several other lights came on. The speedometer began jumping all over the place and on my heads-up display, just above the digital numbers readout 'Check Gauges' is lit up.

I have the tilt steering with a multi-switch directional lever which controls the wipers (Hi-Low-Intermittant) as well as cruise control.

My question is this. Where do I begin to track down this issue? I don't just want to start riping apart my steering cloumn blindly. Any thoughts? Has anyone ever heard of this or experienced this before?? Help!

A guess would be the switch itself or the wire harness going up the column to the switch.

That was going to be my first course of action. Any idea how to test the switch? I'm kind of "The Prince of Darkness" when it comes to electronics. I have a feeling though that after this I'll be a whole lot better. Just bought my first multimeter today.

Ok, I'm on the road again!

This was one of those times where I broke down and went for a systems diagnostic; my reasoning was:

(1) I checked all wiring from the cabin harness connector to the ignition switch for continuity, no issues.

(2) I checked all wiring from the cabin harness connector to the combination switch for continuity, no issues.


I didn't go to a GM shop, I went to a reputable shop reconmended by a motorhead friend of mine; cost of systems scan: $95.00 (Look on the face of the Tech when all that showed up were security codes...priceless!). After answering a few questions and making the Tech feel comfortable that I infact did check the wires he went and had a conversation with an older than me guy in the shop (I'm almost 50).

The old timer came over and I explained the symptoms listed a few posts ago, he disappeared and came back with a ignition switch poped it in and they let the car run for two and a half hours with people taking turns in the shop hitting the directionals; not once did the car die.

I paid the shop $94.00 for the switch $50.00 for labor (I already had everything exposed and taken apart) and was told that if I got stuck to have them tow me to their shop.

Admin, right on the money with your educated guess! As a side bonus, I learned how to use my multimeter and Power Probe like a pro! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!