Product Safety - Positive Battery Cable Routing

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2003 Cadillac All-Wheel Drive Escalades. Some of these vehicles were built without a power steering bracket to secure the positive battery cable, allowing the cable to come in contact with the steering shaft. Over time this contact could cause a wear-through of the cable insulation. This could expose the wire core and result in intermittent electrical shorting, and if enough current is discharged at the point of contact, an engine compartment fire could occur.

Dealers are to inspect the positive battery cable routing and reroute, if necessary.

Involved are the 2003 Cadillac Escalades listed below.

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) before beginning recall repairs.

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Dealer listing will not be provided. Verify eligibility through GMVIS.

No parts are required for this recall.

For additional information and illustrations, refer to the Engine Electrical subsection in the Engine section of the Service Manual.

1. Open the hood and inspect the routing of the positive battery cable.

•	If the positive battery cable is routed between the two power steering hoses as shown in the illustration, no repair is required. Install the GM Recall Identification Label.

•	If the positive battery cable is routed in a manner where it is contacting the steering shaft, or if it is routed differently than described above, reroute the cable as described below.

Important: The following repair procedure should only be performed if the inspected above instructed it Do NOT perform the repair described below if the inspection stated that "no repair is required."

Important: The negative battery cable must be disconnected in the next step before proceeding.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
3. Remove the cover and disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery.
4. Remove the four (4) bolts that attach the curved left upper fender brace between the left fender and the plenum near the hood hinge spring. Remove the brace.
5. Remove the top cover and the lower housing cover from the Underhood Bussed Electrical Center (UBEC).

Figure 1





Important: The positive battery cable also has a smaller positive cable that goes from the battery terminal to the UBEC. The bolt that attaches the smaller positive battery cable to the UBEC in the next step is part of the small cable end and should not be removed.

6. Remove the bolt attaching the small positive battery cable to the UBEC and disconnect the cable. Refer to Figure 1

Important: The junction block referred to in the next step is also the remote jump-start terminal for the positive jumper cable attachment.

7. Open the junction block cover.

Figure 2




8. Remove the nut attaching the battery cable and remove the cable from the junction block.
9. Release the plastic fastener attaching the negative battery cable to the positive cable near the power steering pump. Leave the fastener attached to the negative cable.

Figure 3




10. Route the positive battery cable as shown in Figure 3.

When routed properly, the cable will be between the two power steering hoses that go up to the hydro-boost and between the power steering pump and the cooler line going to the power steering cooler core.

11. Reinstall the positive battery cable in the junction block and install the attaching nut. Tighten to 19 N·m (14 lb ft). Close the junction block cover.
12. Reattach the negative battery cable to the positive battery cable with the plastic fastener that was released in Step 9.
13. Connect the small positive cable to the UBEC.

Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 9 N·m (80 lb in).

14. Install the UBEC lower housing cover and the upper cover.
15. Install the left upper fender brace and install the four (4) bolts.

Tighten
Tighten to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

Important: The positive battery cable must be connected first.

16. Connect the positive battery cable to the battery.

Tighten
Tighten to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).

17. Install the positive battery cable cover.
18. Connect the negative battery cable to the battery.

Tighten
Tighten to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).

19. Install the GM Recall Identification Label.

Place a Program Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Program Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the program number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the program service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Program Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Program Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Program Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by either ordering on the web from DWD Store, gm-dealerworld.com, or calling 1-866-700-0001 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Request Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information indicated below:

There will be owner notification. Vehicles are in-transit to dealers.

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.