turn signal - loose connection?

no luck with the search...

when i press my turn signal down to signal left, sometimes it doesnt turn on. if i move the handle up just a bit, the connection is made, and all the lights blink as usual. im having no problems with the right signal, and all the turn signal lights are working outside and in the dash.

this doesnt sound like a fuse problem, because its sporadic. could there be some kind of corrosion or gunk somewhere in the steering column where the connection is made?

any help, as always, is much appreciated. thx!