Hi Scotty, Love your shows.
I have a 2011 Chevy Impala with 220000 miles, automatic. Car is like new. Keep indoors and do most all work myself. No codes.
I keep getting notices about the ignition key switch recall. I have checked my key switch and it is working fine and I do not hang any keys except the door lock dongle on the key. I understand they just put a piece of plastic on the key so it only will suspend any other keys form the center of the hole in the key. Seems like a joke, Is it worth dealing with a dealer (hate them) to have this recall done.
I'd fix the keys. They caution you not to even hang the fob on the ignition key ring until it's fixed.
Ignition Switch may Turn Off
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
This has happened to a lot of people and seems to be related to "unforeseeable jarring events". Hitting a pothole, debris in the road, etc.
Considering this "ignition off" defect happens at the worst possible time, I'd fix the keys.
But I'm like you. I don't want to sit in a dealer's waiting room all morning.
Maybe do the repair yourself. It may be worth the cost of the "out of pocket" money just to avoid the "dealer experience".
Here's the Key Insert repair kit. GM part number 23279477.
Here's what you need:
You can buy the Key Insert PN 23279477 on ebay for around $5. You can buy key rings anywhere.
The real cost of the repair is the Loctite products. Between the 2 they'll set you back around $35. Those tiny tubes are expensive.
Still, sitting in the dealer's waiting room all morning or spending around $40 and doing the repair yourself while sitting in your living room?
I'd pay the $40 and do it my damn self.
Anyway, if you're interested in the GM Recall Service Procedure on fixing the keys ( Bulletin 14299) here's a link to it. (it even has nice pictures):
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2014/RCRIT-14V355-6947.pdf
Excellent information, Jack, as usual. Thanks!
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I have a 2004 pontiac grand prix with the same recall that I do the exact same as you do. only hang the FOB on the keychain. I have also heard that people who get the recall fixed are complaining of their cars stalling out. They reply back to the customer that the car is old and to be expected, when the car ran fine before the little plastic jerry rig fix was done. So my advice is leave it alone and that is what I do too.
It's probably a good idea to fix the key so there's never any chance of a disastrous event in the future. You just can't be sure of what might happen, or who will clip what onto the key.
If you don't want to go to the dealer for a piece of plastic, then a stick of epoxy putty is less than $10.
