Nice Q.C., G.M.
Jul. 29th, 2011 03:26 pmThe power window switch in the front passenger door of our newly-acquired 2005 Malibu Classic didn't work. Upon investigation, the switch was assembled with one of the pins bent and not inserted into the hole (see first picture). 2 minute job to pop off the cover, straighten the pin, and put the cover back on.
But clearly, not only did this switch leave the manufacturer obviously broken and just as obviously never tested, but GM also clearly never tested to see if the switch worked, because it never could have worked.
I was actually cracking into the electrical system to fix an intermittent problem with the turn signals, which turned out to be a loose fuse holder. There's no way to know in that case but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it left the factory loose as well. It was not really holding onto the fuse on one side, just sort of sitting there, usually making contact. I couldn't figure out how to get the fuse box out to do a proper job, and neither Chilton's nor Google helped, so I just reached in with a pen knife and bent the holder to hopefully make better contact. If it flakes again I'll just have to get the fusebox out one way or another.
But clearly, not only did this switch leave the manufacturer obviously broken and just as obviously never tested, but GM also clearly never tested to see if the switch worked, because it never could have worked.
I was actually cracking into the electrical system to fix an intermittent problem with the turn signals, which turned out to be a loose fuse holder. There's no way to know in that case but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it left the factory loose as well. It was not really holding onto the fuse on one side, just sort of sitting there, usually making contact. I couldn't figure out how to get the fuse box out to do a proper job, and neither Chilton's nor Google helped, so I just reached in with a pen knife and bent the holder to hopefully make better contact. If it flakes again I'll just have to get the fusebox out one way or another.