Passat electrical problem

[Abbyg]

I have a 2001 Passat, 1.8 turbo, 72k miles. The hazard warning switch/button in the center of the dash makes a static/crackling noise, intermittently, when the ignition is on, car running or not. And the switch actually vibrates when it makes the noise. You can put your finger on the switch and feel it vibrating. This static/crackling noise stops when I engage either turn signal, when I put firm pressure on the hazard warning switch, or if I turn on the hazard warning switch. Interestingly, pulling the hazard warning switch fuse (#39) doesn't stop the noise but pulling the turn signal fuse (#2) does stop it. So the noise seems to be "powered" by the turn signal fuse but is clearly coming from the hazard warning switch.

So what's going on? Has my hazard warning switch gone bad or is something else that's more complicated? If the hazard warning switch has gone bad, how does it come out? Thanks for your help.