GM Conducts 16 Additional Tests To Confirm Temporary Ignition Switch Solution
Though it took over a decade to issue a recall over the out-of-spec ignition switch at the heart of its ongoing debacle, General Motors is being thorough with the part now, performing 16 tests — in addition to the 80-plus before them — to confirm no harm will come the way of the 2.6 million owners affected.
Reuters reports the tests went as far as removing the switch indent plunger and spring for ease of ability to knock the switch out of the “run” position, only to find the key remained in place with just its unadorned key ring attached according to a filing made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by GM earlier this month.
The filing comes on the heels of a number of parties demanding the automaker to issue a park-it-now notice to all affected customers. Both the NHTSA and a federal judge later found the automaker’s temporary fix was sound, and that no such notice was warranted.
The 16 tests — which did not include a scenario where an errant knee accidentally bumps the switch out of position — are part of an overall total of over 100 designed to prove the switch — and the vehicles to which it is installed — are safe to run until a replacement is swapped-in. The testing occurred between late February through early April of this year, conducted upon rough roads with the kind of panicked stops that would move the switch out of place with an unadorned key inserted.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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"Though it took over a decade to issue a recall over what's essentially a non-issue blown completely out of the water by our sensational media, General Motors is being thorough............." FTFY.
I think you're trying to say blown out of proportion. Blown out of the water is destroyed beyond repair, killed, lost with all hands kind of stuff. There's a lot of hype over this, but the underlying ball of crap is that they knew and hid it. Instead of facing the music with their eyes downcast when caught, GM is chasing the media hype in the hopes they can salvage their reputation with customers without actually changing the culture that thought hiding the issue was the best answer.
Perhaps it's time GM rethink Delphi as a major supplier and switch to Denso or even Omron.
The Solstice/Sky are leisure cars? As such the ignition switches are still almost new and crisp as they are not driven much. That and the fact that they sold like 7 or 8 of them. Maybe a leisure car has more trinkets on the key chain. Never studied it.