Product Safety - Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic (SDM) Module

COMPLETION OF THIS CAMPAIGN LIFTS THE STOP DELIVERY ORDER ISSUED AUGUST 3, 2000 (ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES WIA20000081 AND WIA20000082).

THIS CAMPAIGN WAS ORIGINALLY ANNOUNCED ON 08-25-00 (ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES WIA20000091 AND WIA20000092). AN UPDATED SERVICE PROCEDURE WAS COMMUNICATED ON 09-08-00 (ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE WIA20000100).

THE SERVICE PROCEDURE INCLUDED IN THIS BULLETIN REFERS TO A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT WAS INCLUDED IN CD #17, SHIPPED IN SEPTEMBER, 2000.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2001 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo model vehicles. The airbag sensing and diagnostic modules (SDM) in some of these vehicles could experience a memory error resulting in the airbags not deploying in a crash situation. In a vehicle crash, a front seat occupant may receive more severe injuries.

Dealers are to replace the sensing and diagnostic module and reprogram the body control module (BCM) to recognize and match the new SDM part number.

Involved are the following vehicles:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only).

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

Important: For additional information, see the SIR subsection in the Restraints section and the Seat subsection of the Body and Accessories section of the appropriate Service Manual.

1. Disable the SIR system.

1.1.	Turn the ignition to the OFF position and remove the key.

1.2.	Remove the driver's side instrument panel access cover. Remove the SDM fuse.

1.3.	Remove the passenger side instrument panel access cover and unclip the frontal air bags yellow 4-way connector from the metal rail. Remove the connector position assurance (CPA) and disconnect the frontal air bags connector.

1.4.	Remove the left side instrument panel access (insulator) cover. Remove the CPA and disconnect the yellow 2-way steering wheel air bag module connector near the base of the steering column.

1.5.	If the vehicle is equipped with a side air bag, remove the CPA from the driver side air bag yellow 2-way connector located under the driver's seat and disconnect the connector.

2. Remove the passenger seat track adjuster front covers.
3. Move the passenger seat forward so that it is between the full forward and halfway position. Also, if equipped, move the seat to the full-up position.
4. Remove the seat belt fastener from the front seat track.
5. Remove the seat track adjuster to floor pan rear bolts.
6. Disconnect the seat electrical connectors.
7. Tip the seat forward and disengage the front seat track hook attachments from the floor pan.
8. Remove the passenger seat from the vehicle.
9. Remove the right front carpet retainer and reposition carpet to access the SDM.
10. Remove the CPA from the two SDM electrical connectors and disconnect the SDM connectors.
11. Remove the SDM mounting bolts and remove the SDM.
12. Install the new SDM and mounting bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

13. Connect the two SDM electrical connectors and install the CPAs.
14. Reposition the carpet and install the right front carpet retainer.
15. Install the passenger seat in the vehicle and engage the front seat track hooks in the floor pan openings.
16. Connect the seat electrical connectors.
17. Install the seat track adjuster to floor pan rear bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 42 N·m (31 lb ft).

18. Install the seat belt to front seat track fastener.

Tighten
Tighten the fastener to 42 N·m (31 lb ft).

19. Install the passenger seat track adjuster front covers.

Important: When enabling the SIR system in the next step, do not turn the ignition switch to the ON position to verify proper operation. Verification of proper operation should only be done after the completion of the entire procedure.

20. Enable the SIR system.

20.1.

If the vehicle is equipped with a side air bag, connect the driver side air bag yellow 2-way connector located under the driver's seat and install the CPA.

20.2.

Connect the steering wheel air bag module yellow 2-way connector located near the base of the steering column and install the CPA. Install the instrument panel access cover.

20.3.

Connect the frontal air bag yellow 4-way connector. Install the CPA and clip the connector the metal rail. Install the passenger side instrument panel access cover.

20.4.

Install the SDM fuse and install the driver's side instrument panel access cover.

20.5.

Do NOT verify SIR system operation at this time.

Important: If you need help with the Reprogramming of the Body Control Module (BCM) in the next steps, contact the Techline Customer Support Center on 1-800-828-6860 before proceeding to Step 21.

21. Reprogram the BCM to accept the new SDM part number using the following procedure.

Important: In order to perform the reprogramming, your Techline Terminal must be updated with CD #17 which you should have received in September, 2000. Before proceeding, verify that your Techline Terminal has the required update. All CDs received in the future will continue to have this required software.

22. Connect your Tech 2 to the vehicle and select "Service Programming". Follow the on-screen instructions and "Request Information".

Important: The module being reprogrammed in the next step is the Body Control Module (BCM).

23. Take the Tech 2 to the Techline Terminal and select "TIS 2000". Select "Service Programming" and follow the on-screen instructions for programming the BCM.
24. Return to the vehicle and reconnect the Tech 2.
25. Select "Programming" followed by "Program the BCM" and follow the on-screen instructions.
26. After programming is completed, exit to the main menu on Tech 2 and disconnect it from the vehicle.
27. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and then turn it to the ON position.
28. Verify that the AIR BAG warning lamp flashes seven (7) times and goes out.
29. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

For US

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

Put the Campaign 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 Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Material by calling 1-888-549-6152 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

FOR CANADA

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

Put the Campaign 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. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

FOR US

The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall campaign notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the campaign is not completed within a reasonable time.

FOR ALL

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

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear Chevrolet Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2001 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo model vehicles. The airbag sensing and diagnostic modules (SDM) in some of these vehicles could experience a memory error resulting in the airbags not deploying in a crash situation. In a vehicle crash, a front seat occupant may receive more severe injuries.

Your dealer will replace the sensing and diagnostic module. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

The length of time required to perform this service correction is approximately 30 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If you dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule, process and repair your vehicle.

Please contact your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Parts are available and instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer.

Your Chevrolet dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below:

If, after contacting the appropriate customer assistance center, you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-888-327-4236.

The attached customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the attached and mailing it in the postage paid envelope.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Chevrolet Motor Division

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure