Recall, please read

[ItsMeScottG]

I called up GM (Cooperate) because of the lock cylinder issues that I've been having with my car and they requested that I bring my car into a dealership and have it diagnosed for free so that they can add it to the recent recall if need be. Well the dealer diagnosed my car and sent approval to GM to add the Grand Am to the recall list. I was told that if I pay to have it fixed that GM will reimburse me the cost and install a new part in my car sometime in April free of charge (if my car is added to the recall). So please if anyone else has issues with their Ignition lock cylinder, please contact GM and bring it into a dealership to get it checked out. I'm not sure how many people it will take to do this, however, so far from what I've been told today by GM and the dealership, GM is seriously looking into adding the N-body to this recall. The dealership contacted GM and told them that my car is having the sale issue as reported in the recall.

[TDavis]

How will you know if you are having ignition lock cylinder problems?

[ItsMeScottG]

Originally Posted by TDavis

How will you know if you are having ignition lock cylinder problems?

Key doesn't grip properly, when going over bumps or speed bumps it falls over into another position like accessory. Key comes out when car is running, ect

Well anyways those are they symptoms that my car is having. I figured my lock cylinder is just worn out but the dealership and GM say it's he same issue as the recall.

[MAC the KNIFE]

ignition cylinder problems?



i too had key problems... HAD.
here's a pic during my "push button start" install

yeah that's right, the car is running in this pic.

[Starglow]

Now that will be interesting to see if they actually do recall the N body cars. My GM dealer didn't even want to replace the turn signal flasher hazard switch under warranty even though I had a letter in my hand from NHTSA proving that GM would cover the cost under warranty...but they finally did it after calling GM. So I'm sure they would probably chase me out of the service area if I went back in there now for an ignition issue on a 15 year old vehicle.

[AaronGTR]

Yeah, I've never had an issue with mine... but, it's only got 86k miles on it too, and I don't have any extra weight on my key ring. Just the key and fob. I suppose any car's lock cylinder can wear out after a lot of use, so do you say it's a defective part, or that it's normal wear? I guess the deciding factor will probably be if the GA used the same lock cylinder as the later cars (doubtful but possible), and if they do an investigation and find any accidents that might be related to the issue (which could be tough after so many years).

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by MAC the KNIFE

yeah that's right, the car is running in this pic.

Pants have been shat!

[TDavis]

Originally Posted by ItsMeScottG

Key doesn't grip properly, when going over bumps or speed bumps it falls over into another position like accessory. Key comes out when car is running, ect

Well anyways those are they symptoms that my car is having. I figured my lock cylinder is just worn out but the dealership and GM say it's he same issue as the recall.

Haven't had anything close to that type of problem.

Originally Posted by MAC the KNIFE

ignition cylinder problems?

i too had key problems... HAD.
here's a pic during my "push button start" install

yeah that's right, the car is running in this pic.

I drove my car without the door panel for a day and it felt like I was on a bare bones race car

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by TDavis

Haven't had anything close to that type of problem.




I drove my car without the door panel for a day and it felt like I was on a bare bones race car

I once drove without the rear deck cover and my glove box (was doing projects with them at the time) for a few months..best anti-theft out there..nobody wants to break into a car missing interior pieces..

[MAC the KNIFE]

Originally Posted by TDavis

Haven't had anything close to that type of problem.




I drove my car without the door panel for a day and it felt like I was on a bare bones race car

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

I once drove without the rear deck cover and my glove box (was doing projects with them at the time) for a few months..best anti-theft out there..nobody wants to break into a car missing interior pieces..

when i was trying to find the water leak a few years ago, i completely stripped the interior. carpet, all trim pieces, center console, rear seats, passenger seat.
i swear the car "felt" lighter and FASTER . it felt way roomier too!
liked it that way so much, i left it all out for several months. if you've never done it, you're just not a car guy man

[SkiZZor]

Mine would have this problem. I could pull the key out while i was driving. It actually came in handy sometimes cause I always kept my glovebox locked.

[tw0123]

Originally Posted by MAC the KNIFE

when i was trying to find the water leak a few years ago, i completely stripped the interior. carpet, all trim pieces, center console, rear seats, passenger seat.
i swear the car "felt" lighter and FASTER . it felt way roomier too!
liked it that way so much, i left it all out for several months. if you've never done it, you're just not a car guy man

When I did the interior swap on the alero to the grand am interior the only pieces I had wad the drivers seat and the gauge cluster zip tied to the frame! There's your race car !

[geldartb]

Originally Posted by MAC the KNIFE

when i was trying to find the water leak a few years ago, i completely stripped the interior. carpet, all trim pieces, center console, rear seats, passenger seat.
i swear the car "felt" lighter and FASTER . it felt way roomier too!
liked it that way so much, i left it all out for several months. if you've never done it, you're just not a car guy man

i was gonna strip the sound insulation out from under the carpet until i pulled the carpet and found there wasn't any except where you put your feet.. the carpet in my Z26 had sound insulation everywhere it weighed a TON.

i've driven around with missing interior pieces and what not. kinda funny when people look in the car and see them gone.

[Y2KGA]

Originally Posted by ItsMeScottG

I called up GM (Cooperate) because of the lock cylinder issues that I've been having with my car and they requested that I bring my car into a dealership and have it diagnosed for free so that they can add it to the recent recall if need be. Well the dealer diagnosed my car and sent approval to GM to add the Grand Am to the recall list. I was told that if I pay to have it fixed that GM will reimburse me the cost and install a new part in my car sometime in April free of charge (if my car is added to the recall). So please if anyone else has issues with their Ignition lock cylinder, please contact GM and bring it into a dealership to get it checked out. I'm not sure how many people it will take to do this, however, so far from what I've been told today by GM and the dealership, GM is seriously looking into adding the N-body to this recall. The dealership contacted GM and told them that my car is having the sale issue as reported in the recall.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the N-Body's to be added. I'm willing to bet that your lock cylinder was previously changed due to a passlock failure. Chances are, that replacement switch is a cheap aftermarket or an OEM switch that didn't have the tumblers set correctly when rekeying.

[Mad Scientist]

I have confirmed at this phone number (1-800-222-1020) that all 99 and later GAs are now on the recall list, despite the fact that this site (http://www.gmignitionupdate.com/index.html) has still not been updated yet to reflect that fact. I'm sure other N-bodies are included now as well but I haven't confirmed it.

W-bodies are apparently still NOT on the list, as my 03 Regal GS is still NOT included.

Since this thing first hit the news, I've always suspected the N-bodies would eventually be included, since their ignition switches are already so issue prone, and I also suspected that W-bodies would NOT be included, since their ignition switches aren't so issue prone. I still wanted to check for my Regal anyways though.

Now that my former GAGT is going to get a free new ignition switch, I'm really wishing I hadn't sold it, since my dread of facing that issue sometime in the future, at what would most likely have been a most inopportune time, was one of my deciding factors in selling it! D'oh! Yes, I am fully capable of fixing it myself, but, again, this kind of stuff tends to hit me at the worst possible time, and I simply didn't want it hanging over my head!

It turns out I was right! The new owner started having no-start issues within the first month of buying the car! (At the time I also thought it might be fuel pump related.) When I sold the car, my wife was already about mid-way through her pregnancy! Definitely NOT a good time! Plus I needed the money!

At any rate, you all can go get your ignition switches replaced now!

Regards,
Eric

[Starglow]

Originally Posted by Mad Scientist

At any rate, you all can go get your ignition switches replaced now!

Regards,
Eric

Nope....not happening because they are not replacing the ignition switches as part of the recall. GM will send owners a detachable key chain ring so you can remove the ignition key from all other keys on the key ring when driving the car which reduces weight..a factor GM blames for the problem. GM will also send a plastic key ring insert for the ignition key so it changes from an elongated slot to a round hole.

I won't go so far as to say GM won't pay to replace ignition switch assemblies in some cases, but in general that's not happening by default due to the recall...so basically GM is applying bandaids.

[Mad Scientist]

All I can say is that is NOT what I was told.

Everyone with concerns over this issue should call the number I posted in my previous post and find out for themselves. It's the number that is on their web page that I linked in that same post.

Regards,
Eric

[Y2KGA]

Originally Posted by Mad Scientist

All I can say is that is NOT what I was told.

Everyone with concerns over this issue should call the number I posted in my previous post and find out for themselves. It's the number that is on their web page that I linked in that same post.

Regards,
Eric

Look on www.nhtsa.gov under "search for recalls". You will find official documents from GM. As starglow mentioned, the "fix" is a key ring and a key cover.

The key covers are a "feel good" move by GM to look like they are being proactive. In reality the "fix" will probably cost them under a dollar. Dealers won't even need to bring the cars inside. The service writer will just give the customer the key rings/covers at the desk. I'll bet that most owners won't even bother to do it.

On a side note there may be some liability issues here. On a normal recall the owner can't easily undo the repair. Most recalls involve changing/repairing a part that is permanantly attached to the car. This isn't the case here.

Lets say I go to the dealer and get the key rings/covers. The dealer marks the VIN off as "repaired". A few years go by and I get new keys for whatever reason. These keys don't have the covers on them. I also happen to lose the key ring. I sell the car and the next owner is hurt after the ignition switch turns the car off. Or lets say the next owner gets new keys. Is the new owner supposed to know that you must put a key cover on the key? Running the VIN will reveal no recalls. Are all the key blank manufacturers going to change their design?

For GM to cover themselves they would need to put a sticker on the car saying that the key ring/cover must be used at all times.

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by Mad Scientist

Since this thing first hit the news, I've always suspected the N-bodies would eventually be included, since their ignition switches are already so issue prone, and I also suspected that W-bodies would NOT be included, since their ignition switches aren't so issue prone. I still wanted to check for my Regal anyways though.

I would disagree with you on that. 88,000+ miles on my GA and not one ignition switch issue. 126,000 miles on the GP I used to own when I bought it, and it had ignition switch issues.

Anyway, the issues some/most GA owners have with theirs have nothing to do with the ignition switch accidentally turning off during operation, which is what this whole recall is about. It's usually a no start issue due to electrical malfunction in the ignition switch either not sending the correct signal to the BCM to activate the fuel pump or not activating the starter motor. Nothing with the actual mechanical tumbler itself.

As stated above, you won't be receiving an actual new ignition switch, and I agree this is just GM going through the motions to look proactive and avoid future scandals.

[rocketfast123]

Point

A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.

Our problem falls into the TSB section (Technical Service Bulletin), if it can't kill you they wont recall.


Story time
Ford is doing a quiet recall right now on it's 2003 - 2005 panther cars. My cousin was driving his 03 grand marquis and the head lights went out. Parking were on and if he held the stick back the brights would come on. The light control module has under spec relay for the low beams. So instead of paying $120 for a new one and pull-a-part didn't have any. I de-soldered the relay from the control board and added an external one. $10 later and it's fixed. (I love car forums)

I call ford and at the time, and they were not recalling it. And about a month ago he got a letter to take it in to get serviced. It goes back to "If X is less than the cost of a recall"