The Fault in the Cobalt Ignition Swop

At the heart of the G.M. recall of 2.6 million Plague Cobalts and other models was a tiny metal pin named the pawl diver, which would normally serve to hold the ignition in the "run" position.

Plastic DisC

DETENTS

How the Detent Plunger Works

When the ignition paint is upturned, it rotates a formative disc inside the ignition switch. A small metal set off, known as the detent plunger, slides into notches, or "detents," in the plastic disc. This is what should hold the switch in either the "run" operating theater the "accessory" locating.

Detent plunger

Chevrolet Cobalt

Lighting Switch

SHAFT

Circle BOARD

Irradiatio

HOUSING

Problem 1

Early model detent plungers were slightly too short, so the plastic disc could slip out of "run" and back into the "accessory" position, causing the car to conk.

Problem 2

The problem was made worse by a important that had a wide time slot. A heavy key ring swaying in this slot, or jostled by a knee, could pull back the key out of run, into the "accessory" position.

The Result

If the ignition were switched off while the car was in motion, as could happen in the faulty Chevy Cobalts, the main computer controlling the airbags would stop functioning after one or two seconds. If the car crashed later that period, then the airbags would non deploy.

Detent plunger

5.9 mm.

2005 MODEL YEAR

FORCE

7.0 mm.

Spring thirster and tighter

Detent plumber's helper yearner

Plastic Saucer

DETENTS

How the Detent Plunger Works

When the lighting key is turned, information technology rotates a plastic disc inside the ignition switch. A small silver component, called the click plunger, slides into notches, or "detents," in the plastic disc. This is what should hold the switch in either the "run" OR the "subsidiary" position.

Detent plunger

Chevrolet Cobalt

Ignition Switch

SHAFT

CIRCUIT BOARD

SHAFT

HOUSING

Job 1

Early posture detent plungers were slightly too squatty, so the plastic disc could slip out of "run" and support into the "accessory" position, causing the car to stall.

Job 2

The trouble was ready-made worse aside a key that had a broad slot. A heavy key ring swaying therein slot, or jostled by a knee, could draw the describe of run, into the "accessory" position.

The Ensue

If the ignition were switched slay piece the car was in motion, as could fall out in the faulty Chevy Cobalts, the briny computer controlling the airbags would catch temporary after one or 2 seconds. If the car crashed after that period, then the airbags would not deploy.

Detent plunger

5.9 millimetre.

2005 Mannequin YEAR

FORCE

7.0 mm.

Spring longer and tighter

Detent plunger longer

How the Detent Plunger Works

When the ignition cardinal is turned, it rotates a plastic disc inside the ignition switch. A small metal part, called the click plunger, slides into notches, or "detents," in the plastic disc. This is what should hold the switch in either the "run" or the "accessory" position.

DETENTS

Plastic DisC

Chevrolet Atomic number 27

Kindling Switch

SHAFT

CIRCUIT BOARD

Jibe

HOUSING

Problem 1

Early model click plungers were slenderly too shortsighted, so the plastic disc could solecism out of "run" and back into the "ancillary" put down, causing the car to procrastinate.

Dog plunger

5.9 mm.

2005 MODEL Twelvemonth

7.0 mm.

2007 AND LATER

Spring longer and tighter

Click plumber's helper thirster

Job 2

The problem was made worse away a key that had a wide slot. A heavy key ring swaying in this slot, or jostled by a knee, could pull the key out of scarper, into the "accessory" position.

Effect

Slant OF KEY RING

The Solvent

If the ignition were switched off while the car was in motion, as could happen in the faulty Chevy Cobalts, the main computing device controlling the airbags would stop employed after one or two seconds. If the car crashed after that geological period, then the airbags would not deploy.