SPECIAL POLICY: STALL DIAG. SPECIAL COVERAGE
SUBJECT: SPECIAL COVERAGE STALL DIAGNOSIS
MODELS/YEARS: 1986-87 CUTLASS CALAIS WITH 3.OL ENGINE (VIN CODE L); 1986-87 CUTLASS CIERA, NINETY-EIGHT, EIGHTY-EIGHT O AND TORONAD WITH 3.8L ENGINE (VIN CODES 3 & B) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE: This bulletin is intended to advise you of Special Coverage that is being extended to all owners of front-wheel drive Oldsmobiles produced with 3.OL and 3.8L engines in 1986 and 1987 model years. This bulletin supplements Dealer Technical Bulletin 87-T-80 (Corporation No. 006501) until December 31, 1992.
CONDITION
Some 1986 and 1987 Cutlass Calais, Cutlass Ciera, Ninety-Eight, Eighty-Eight, and Toronado model vehicles with Engine VIN Codes 3, B & L may be experiencing intermittent stalling. To correct the stalling complaints, a comprehensive diagnostic procedure manual was developed and released in July, 1990 (Dealer Technical Bulletin 87-T-80).
To assist owners on these vehicles that are still experiencing intermittent stalling, Oldsmobile is providing Special Coverage for this condition until December 31, 1992, or 1 00,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Please note that this is not a recall campaign and therefore not intended to be used on all vehicles. It should only be applied if an owner has an intermittent stalling complaint. It is not intended to replace regular maintenance that should be done on a routine basis.
We ask that dealers carefully adhere to the intent of this Special Coverage program. This coverage is being established in the interest of customer satisfaction. It is expected that all dealers will fully support this program. Vehicles which fall within the special coverage program that are currently experiencing stalling should be promptly corrected.
SPECIAL COVERAGE
Oldsmobile Division from the date of this bulletin offers the following Special Coverage to owners of vehicles described in the VEHICLES INVOLVED section of this bulletin:
OLDSMOBILE DIVISION SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR 1986 AND 1987 FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CALAIS, CUTLASS CIERA, NINETY-EIGHT, EIGHTY-EIGHT AND TORONADO WITH 3.0 AND 3.8 LITER ENGINES - INTERMITTENT STALLING CONDITION.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED:
- Damage caused by improper repairs and maintenance, abuse, collision, fire and/or theft;
- Vehicles which have had their emission control systems intentionally disabled, unless the system is restored to function as designed (cost of this restoration is the owner's responsibility);
- Replacement of maintenance items identified in the Maintenance Schedule, including:
- Spark Plugs - Fuel Filter - PCV Valve - Air Cleaner & PCV Filter - Engine Oil - Engine Coolant
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are 1986 and 1987 model Oldsmobile vehicles with the engines indicated:
Engine Engine Year Model Model Name Size VIN Code ---- ----- ---------- ------ --------
1986-87 N Cutlass Calais 3.OL L
1986-87 A Cutlass Ciera 3.8L 3
1987 A-wagon Cutlass Cruiser 3.8L 3
1986 H Eighty-Eight 3.OL L
1986-87 H Eighty-Eight 3.8L 3
1986 C Ninety-Eight 3.8L B
1987 C Ninety-Eight 3.8L 3
1986 E Toronado 3.8L B
1987 E Toronado 3.8L 3
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners of vehicles involved in this Special Coverage will be notified by Oldsmobile Division (see copy of the owner letter and Special Coverage brochure included with this bulletin).
OWNER REIMBURSEMENT
Owners must submit original documentation that reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expense, a description of the repair, the date of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair. Review "What Is Not Covered" in the Special Coverage brochure before making a reimbursement adjustment. The repair must have occurred within the first 100,000 miles of service.
Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted according to the Warranty Claim Information instructions. Use the "Owner Reimbursement" labor operation and list all owner expenses concerning previous repairs in the Sublet items column of the warranty claim.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
See the "1986-87 3.OL & 3.8L Stall Diagnostics" manual. Three additional copies of this manual are being provided to all dealers under separate cover. Each dealer will receive one pad of questionnaires with the manuals.
- All involved vehicles brought in for intermittent stalling must have the Questionnaire and Basic Diagnostic and Repair Procedures Section of the manual completed. The questionnaire filled out by the service advisor must be attached to the technician's copy of the repair order. Additional copies of the questionnaire can be reproduced locally.
- Portions of the Supplementary Diagnostic and Repair Procedures Section of the manual are to be used if the condition is still present after completion of the above step. Only use the portion of Supplementary Diagnostic indicated by the condition(s) defined by the questionnaire that are still evident on the vehicle. Prior management authorization required before proceeding with the Supplementary Diagnostic and Repair Procedure.
PARTS INFORMATION
To ensure parts are obtained as soon as possible, order them from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO) on a C.I.O. order, with NO special instruction code, but order on an advise code (2). See the "1986-87 3.OL & 3.8L Stall Diagnostics" manual for appropriate part numbers.
TRAINING
Dealer personnel were given training in the 1986-87 3.OL & 3.8L Stall Diagnostics procedure last year and Oldsmobile expects, based on past experience, that dealers should be able to satisfy any concern that an owner may have in this regard. Also, a training video will be sent to each dealer at a later date. Please have your technicians review this video upon receipt. Please retain this video for future reference.
MANUALS
If you need assistance or additional manuals, please contact your zone or ODAC office.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
When performing the Stall Diagnostics outlined in the Service Procedure of this bulletin, submit a warranty claim for credit as indicated below:
REPAIR PERFORMED FC LAB-OP LHRS ---------------- -- ------ ---- Complete Questionnaire and Basic Diagnostic and 95 T5201 1.7* Repair Procedures of Stall Diagnostics Manual
NOTE: Use T5201 even if the vehicle is within 5 years/50,000 miles. List the actual number of parts replaced.
NOTE: This time includes performing the basic diagnosis, repair procedures, and replacement of specific parts if needed (PROM, MAF, Crank Sensor, and one wiring repair).
*Add Times: .3 hr for PROM (all engines) .5 hr for R & R of Throttle Body to Clean (3.OL, VIN Code L only)
Additional Parts and/or Repairs 95 T5256# # (Supplementary Diagnostic and Repair Procedure), including Coil and Coil Module Replacement
#NOTE: Prior management authorization required for the T5256 labor operation. For times, see the applicable "J" labor operation. For those vehicles within 5 years/50,000 miles, use applicable "J" labor operation number instead of T5256. Apply for actual number of parts replaced above.
Parts Allowance: Current dealer price, plus 30% handling allowance.
Customer Reimbursement For Prior Repair 95 T5257 (Submit in Sublet Field)
OWNER LETTER
This letter will be mailed to 49 states except California in December 1991; California owners will be notified after owner name/address information becomes available.
December 1991
Dear Oldsmobile Owner:
We at Oldsmobile are very concerned about Oldsmobile customers and are committed to continually improving their overall vehicle ownership experience. We are writing to you today about a condition that some owners have reported experiencing and our action to resolve this condition.
Some customers with 1986 and 1987 model front-wheel drive Oldsmobiles equipped with 3.OL or 3.8L engines have reported intermittent stalling. Here is what we are doing about it:
First, to correct the intermittent stalling, we have developed a comprehensive diagnostic and repair procedure for technicians at Oldsmobile dealerships. This procedure has been very effective in correcting intermittent stalling.
Second, General Motors Corporation and Oldsmobile are providing owners with special coverage for repair of this intermittent stalling condition, at no charge. The details of the special coverage are set out in the enclosed brochure, which you should keep with other glovebox materials in your car. This special coverage is good until December 31, 1992 or for the initial 100,000 miles of vehicle use, whichever comes first.
Third, if you have paid for repairs for this intermittent stalling condition (other than normal maintenance service or items) prior to receipt of this letter, and you have not been reimbursed, you many contact your Oldsmobile dealer to seek reimbursement. Please provide your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of your payment, and date of payment of those charges.
Please call us at Oldsmobile Customer Assistance (1-800-442-6537) if you have any questions about this program. Hearing or speech impaired individuals with telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD/TTY) may contact Oldsmobile Customer Assistance at 1-800-TDD-OLDS (1-800- 833-6537).
We hope that these steps will satisfactorily address any intermittent stalling problems in your vehicle, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
Oldsmobile Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
GENERAL MOTORS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM
1986-87 Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac Front-Wheel-Drive Passenger Cars Equipped with 3.OL and 3.8L Engines -Intermittent Stalling Condition
General Motors will make repairs and adjustments necessary to correct intermittent stalling, as specified in the 1986-87 GM 3.OL and 3.8L Stall Diagnosis Procedures Manual until December 31, 1992, or for the initial 100,000 miles of vehicle use, whichever comes first. See your dealer for details on the specific parts and/ or components covered.*
WHAT IS NOT COVERED:
- Damage caused by improper repairs and main- tenance, abuse, collision, fire and/or theft;
- Vehicles which have had their emission control systems intentionally disabled, unless the system is restored to function as designed (cost of this restoration is the owner's responsibility);
*This special coverage is in addition to the warranties which were provided when the car was originally sold.
- Replacement of maintenance items identified in your Maintenance Schedule, including:
- Spark Plugs - Air Filter - PCV Valve - Air Cleaner & PCV Filter - Engine Oil - Engine Coolant
Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this coverage must be performed by any GM dealer handling your vehicle line. You may want to call the dealer service department first to find out how long they will need to have the car so that you can schedule the most convenient time for yourself You must present this special coverage pamphlet to the dealership at the time you bring the vehicle in for this service.
Keep this special coverage pamphlet with your other important glovebox literature. If you have any questions call customer assistance at the 800 number listed below.
Buick Customer Assistance 1-800-521-7300
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance 1-800-442-6537
Pontiac Customer Assistance 1-800-762-2737
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.
