2001 540i E39 blinkers gone wild

Phase 1.it started with the right signal blinking continuously with the switch in the middle.while this was happening put switch to the up position and the left blinker would come on ( right blinker would stop) .next to the down position and both blinkers would shut off.
This went on for a couple of days.
disconnected negative lead on battery for 5 minutes. No changes.
Phase 2 a couple of days later the left side lights came on while the car was resting in the off position. was able to switch the indicator position to down and lights went off.
phase 3. the blinker will not shut off at all. all three positions result in a blinker . and when the car is off one side either left or right will be on , occasionally switching back and forth repeatedly before stopping and staying lit on a single side. Currently the only way to shut it down is to disconnect battery.
Can any one help.???

Try the visor trick. If tests positive it's probably the ignition switch. If not, probably the signal switch is fouled.

what is the visor trick??

Originally Posted by 42Powers

what is the visor trick??

Check this out.