My directionals started to work infrequently a few weeks ago and now they do not work at all. Is there a quick easy fix for this?

 

Are you referring to your turn signals? Then yes there is a common problem with them, see the red triangle above the radio? Thats the hazard/blinker relay, they commonly short out causing the turn signals to work intermittently.

 

I believe this might be the issue. Is there an easy and inexpensive way to fix this relay and prevent it from shorting out again?

 

Buy a new "Hazard Switch" for a mere $22 http://www.genuineaudiparts.com/. Carefully pry off the woodgrain panel surrounding the hazard flasher switch, push in the tabs on the old switch & pull it out, disconnect the plug on the back of the switch. Should take 10 minutes (45 minutes with a beer break!)

 

You should pull out the radio as well if you don't wanna break the wood trim.

 

I had the same issue in my old Jetta and this was the solution. Cheap fix.

 

The hazard lights seem to still work fine. Could this hazard switch still be shorting out the turn signals?

 

The switch contains 2 relays on a single cicuit board. One is for the hazard lights, the other the turn signals. One can (and usually does) fail independant of the other.

 

I too had the same issue. I used a wide blade putty knife to pry out the panel and it worked well. I didn't see the need to pull the radio. This is absolutely a job that you can do and save a bunch vs. having the dealer do it.

 

Since the radio takes a whopping 5 seconds to pull out i don't see why it would be a hinderance, but whatever floats your boat. Here is a pic of the radio tools which you ALL should have.