Wow does this sound familiar.
Just replace it.
It's easy.
I fought for years with an issue like this. mine shorted at one time, and melted a little of the turn signal system. I glued, did this, did that, etc forever.
Then I spent the $40 for a whole unit.
real easy- just take a pict/draw a pict of it before you start. Get a very small screw driver/punch and take out the leads from the plastic blocks. don't cut the wires! tape all the wires together, and attach a string to it, pull it through the steering column. tape the wires of the new one, and attach to the string, and pull them back down the column, then push all the connectors back into the plastic connector blocks. done.
if there is a space issue, tape 4 wires together, then tape 4 more on to the bundle an inch below, and so on, so you won't have 1/2" diameter of wires to pull through the small-ish holes.
I was really worried about doing it for years, then I had to do it. it really only took me 30 minutes.... for all those years of unreliable brake lights...
Just do it dude.