CAMPAIGN:SECONDARY ACCEL. CONTROL RETURN SPRING

SUBJECT: SECONDARY ACCELERATOR CONTROL RETURN SPRING

YEAR: 1994

MODEL: CUTLASS CIERA w/ 3.1 L (VIN M) ENGINE

CONDITION

General Motors has determined that certain 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera models equipped with 3.1L (RPO L82) (VIN M) engines have been built with a defective accelerator control return spring which fails to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

In the event of primary accelerator control return spring failure, these vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the secondary (back-up) accelerator control spring may not return the throttle to the fully closed position. In this event, engine speed may not decrease to a level anticipated by the operator. Although the vehicle can still be stopped with the service brakes, loss of accelerator control could result in a vehicle crash, without prior warning.

To prevent this condition from occurring on involved vehicles, retailers are to install a replacement secondary accelerator control return spring.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

All 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera models equipped with 3.1L (RPO L82) (VIN M) engines within the following VIN breakpoints:

ENGINE VIN VIN THROUGH & YEAR MODEL MODEL NAME CODE BEGINNING INCLUDING ---- ----- --------- ---------- --------- 1994 A Cutlass Ciera M SOP R6327928

SOP means "Start Of Production."

All subject vehicles which are listed on the retailer's campaign printout will require correction as outlined in the SERVICE PROCEDURE section of this bulletin.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Owners will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by Oldsmobile Division (see copy of the owner letter included with this bulletin).

RETAILER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

All unsold new vehicles in retailer's possession subject to this campaign MUST be held at the retail facility and the campaign must be performed BEFORE owners take possession of these vehicles.

Retailers are to perform this campaign on all vehicles involved at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your retail facility for service, retailers are to ensure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Retailers are to contact owners of vehicles recently sold from your new or used vehicle inventory and arrange for the campaign correction to be performed.

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides each vehicle subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair (Prima facie evidence of failure to repair is 60 days). Otherwise, the owner 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 providing burdensome solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule and repair each owner's vehicle. The letter to owners (copy attached) suggests they contact Oldsmobile Customer Assistance if you do not remedy the condition within five days of the mutually agreed service date. Owners are also told how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

ATTENTION:

A 1991 amendment to Section 154 of the National Traffic & Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires retailers to HOLD unsold new vehicles which are subject to a recall for a safety defect or safety noncompliance and to perform the campaign BEFORE delivering the vehicles to owners.

This letter is notice to you that new motor vehicles involved in this campaign may not comply with the standard noted above. Under the Safety Act, it is illegal for retailers to knowingly sell one of these new vehicles without first performing the campaign. You may be fined up to $1000 for each violation.

Retailers with vehicles to correct will also receive one printout of Vehicle Identification Numbers, owner names and addresses in VIN sequence (in California, VIN's only, no names or addresses). This data will enable you to follow-up with involved owners.

We urge you to limit the use of the printout to the follow-up needed for this campaign. Names and addresses from State Vehicle Registration files may be included; it is illegal in many states to use such data outside of campaigns.

Your cooperation in completing this campaign as soon as possible will be greatly appreciated.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Figure 1

Remove:

----- 1. Throttle modulator cable and fitting (1) from throttle lever stud (4). Notice: Do not unlock cable adjuster.

2. Throttle modulator cable (1) from throttle body bracket (5).

3. Cruise control cable and fitting (2) from throttle body throttle lever stud (4). Notice: Do not remove cruise control cable (2) from throttle body bracket (5).

4. Spring (6) from throttle body bracket (5) and throttle body lever (4).

Install:

------- 1. New spring (6) to throttle body bracket (5) and throttle body lever (4).

2. Cruise cable end fitting (2) to throttle lever stud (4).

3. Throttle modulator cable (1) to throttle body bracket (5).

4. Throttle modulator cable end fitting (1) to throttle lever stud (4).

Verify Throttle Angle:

1. With key on, engine off, use a Tech 1 to monitor throttle angle.

2. Depress on accelerator pedal to full throttle position and release. Perform this procedure three (3) times. Throttle angle must read 100% at full throttle and return to zero (0) each time the throttle returns to the fully closed position.

3. If the above readings cannot be obtained, inspect for miss positioned or kinked cables.

4. Install a Campaign Identification Label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each label provides space to print the campaign number, and the five (5) digit retailer code of the retailer performing the campaign. insert this information with a typewriter or ball-point pen. When installing label, clean and dry the surface of the radiator support tie bar and apply the campaign label where it is readily visible.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in for periodic servicing by the owner. Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" on a clean, dry surface.

PARTS INFORMATION

Approximately 25% of the anticipated required parts will be pre-shipped to retailer facilities on or about the week of February 14, 1994. The parts will be charged to the retailer's open account.

To ensure that any (additional) parts your retail facility may require are obtained as soon as possible, order them from GMSPO (GM Service Parts Operations) on a C.I.O. order, with NO special instruction code, but order on an advise code (2).

DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER QUANTITY/VEHICLE ----------- ------------ ---------------- Spring, accelerator control return 12551606 1

IMPORTANT: The original spring is "silver" in color. The replacement spring will be colored "black" for the purpose of this campaign.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

Submit claims using only one of the "V" labor-ops below for each vehicle:

TOTAL FAILURE LABOR LABOR STRAIGHT OPERATION PARTS CODE OPERATION HOURS TIME(ST)* --------- ----- ------- --------- ----- --------- Replace Spring, accelerator 1 96 V8490 0.3 0.1 control return

* Administration Allowance: .1 hour for clerical administration may be applied for in the Straight Time (ST) column.

Parts Allowance: Current retailer price, plus 40% allowance for handling.

Dear Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Owner:

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

REASON FOR RECALL

General Motors has determined that certain 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera models equipped with 3.1L (VIN M) engines have been built with a defective accelerator control return spring which fails to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FVMSS) 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

In the event of primary accelerator control return spring failure, these vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the secondary (back-up) accelerator control spring may not return the throttle to the fully closed position. In this event, engine speed may not decrease to a level anticipated by the operator. Although the vehicle can still be stopped with the service brakes, loss of accelerator control could result in a vehicle crash, without prior warning.

WHAT WE WILL DO

To prevent this condition from occurring on involved vehicles, retailers are to install a replacement secondary accelerator control return spring.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please contact your Oldsmobile retailer immediately to arrange a service date. Instructions have been sent to your retailer. It is estimated that parts will be available to your retailer February 14, 1994. Please ask your retailer if you wish an estimate of the total time needed to schedule, process and return your vehicle. Included in this time would be about twenty (20) minutes for a technician to perform the work required.

You may have your vehicle serviced at the authorized Oldsmobile retailer of your choice.

Your Oldsmobile retailer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to promptly correct your vehicle. However, if you take your vehicle to your retailer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition then, or within five days, we suggest you call Oldsmobile Customer Assistance (1-800-442-6537). Deaf, hearing impaired, or speech impaired persons with telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD/TTY) may contact Oldsmobile Customer Assistance at 1-800-TDD-OLDS (1-800-833-6537). They will assist you and the retailer in getting your vehicle corrected.

After contacting your retailer and Oldsmobile Customer Assistance, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to correct this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 800-424- 9393 (Washington, D.C. residents call 366-0123).

OWNER REPLY CARD

The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your retailer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

We are sorry for this inconvenience; however, we took this action for your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.