CAMPAIGN:LAP BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY

SUBJECT: LAP BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY

YEAR: 1994

MODEL: SILHOUETTE

CONDITION

General Motors has determined that certain 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, "Occupant Crash Protection". These vehicles are equipped with rear seats which may be installed in the 2nd row center seating position. When occupying a seat in this position a lap-only seat belt is worn. The retractor for this lap-only belt is missing a pawl spring and as a result may fail to lock-up. In the event of an accident, excess webbing could unwind from the retractor and injury to the seat occupant could result.

This condition may occur only in the following seats when they are used in the center seating position:

0 For vehicles with six (6) passenger seat, the affected seat is the one which was placed in the 3rd row left position when the vehicle was delivered.

0 For vehicles with seven (7) passenger seating, the affected seat is the one which was placed in the 2nd row center position when the vehicle was delivered.

To prevent the possibility of this condition from occurring and in order to comply with FMVSS 208, retailers are to inspect the suspect retractor assemblies in all involved vehicles and replace those which are missing the pawl spring.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Certain 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette models built within the following VIN breakpoints: Through & Year Model Model Name Vin Beginning Including ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 "U" Silhouette RT300773 RT301739

Involved vehicles have been identified by VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) computer listings. Computer listings contain the complete VIN, owner name and address data, and are furnished to involved retailers within the campaign bulletin. Owner names and address data furnished will enable retailers to follow-up with owners involved in the campaign.

These listings may contain owners names and addresses obtained from state motor vehicle registration records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign. Any retailer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

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 retailers' 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 owners 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 bulletin 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

Note: In vehicles with six (6) passenger seating, the involved seat is the third row, left rear seat (see Figure 1).

Note: In vehicles with seven (7) passenger seating, the involved seat is the second row center seat (see Figure 1).

It is also necessary to assure that the suspect seat has not been moved to another location. Suspect seats will have a label at the lower right-has corner of the seat back which reads "CENTER OR LEFT." If the label reads other than "CENTER OR LEFT", the seat has been installed in another position. Locate the correct seat for inspection by checking the remaining seats for the "CENTER OR LEFT" label.

1. While seated in suspect seat, fasten lap belt in normal manner.

2. Grasp retractor side belt webbing and attempt to pull out additional webbing from retractor by sharply tugging on belt webbing.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 three (3) times, buckling and unbuckling each time.

4. If additional webbing can be extracted from the retractor during any of the three attempts, replace retractor assembly with a new retractor assembly (steps 5-10).

If additional webbing cannot be extracted from retractor during any of the three attempts, no further action is required. Proceed to step 12.

5. Remove affected seat from vehicle.

6. Remove retaining screw and seat side cover.

7. Remove retaining bolt and seat belt retractor.

8. Install new retractor with retaining bolt. Torque bolt to 42 Nm (31 lb. ft.).

9. Install seat side cover and secure with retaining screw.

10. Reinstall seat.

11. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to assure that retractor operates correctly and make any corrections as required.

12. Install 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 bought in for periodic servicing by the owner. Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" on a clean, dry surface.

PARTS INFORMATION

NOTICE: It is anticipated that less than 10% of the seat belts will require replacement. Please place part orders accordingly.

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

Description Part Number Quantity/Vehicle ---------- ----------- ---------------- Rear Seat Lap Belt Retractor Assembly - 12516349 1 Medium Gray

Rear Seat Lap Belt Retractor Assembly - 12512907 1 Adriatic Blue

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

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

Operation Total Failure Labor LABOR STRAIGHT Parts Code Operation HOURS TIME (ST)* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Inspect Retractor - No - 96 V8460 0.2 0.1 Replacement Inspect And Replace Retractor 1 96 V8461 0.3 0.1

*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.

OWNER LETTER

Dear Oldsmobile Silhouette 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 Silhouette vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). These vehicles are equipped with rear seats which may be installed in the 2nd row center seating position. When occupying a seat in this position a lap-only seat belt is worn. The retractor for this lap-only belt is missing a pawl spring and as a result may fail to lock-up. In the event of an accident, excess webbing could unwind from the retractor and injury to the seat occupant could result.

This condition may occur only in the following seats when they are used in the center seating position:

0 For vehicles with six (6) passenger seating, the affected seat is the one which was placed in the 3rd row left position when the vehicle was delivered.

0 For vehicles with seven (7) passenger seating, the affected seat is the one which was placed in the 2nd row center position when the vehicle was delivered.

WHAT WE WILL DO

To prevent the possibility of this condition from occurring and in order to comply with FMVSS 208, retailers are to inspect the suspect retractor assemblies in all involved vehicles and replace those which are missing the pawl 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 on December 17, 1993. 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.

If you have removed any of the seats from your vehicle, be certain that the involved seat is installed before returning to your retailer for repair. The involved seat has a label which reads "Center or Left" on the lower right- hand corner of the seat back.

If you previously paid to have the seat belt retractor repaired and wish reimbursement, contact the Service Department of your Oldsmobile retailer. When doing so, you should present the retailer with original repair documents which reasonably confirm the amount of unreimbursed repair expense due to the replacement/repair of the parts listed above, the date of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair. If you can, please use the Oldsmobile retailer who sold and/or regularly services your vehicle to handle the reimbursement claim, as they have records on your vehicle. You should also have your retailer inspect your Oldsmobile to see if the campaign work still needs to be performed, regardless of prior repairs for the described condition.

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).

Please give the enclosed owner reply card to your retailer to identify your vehicle and the condition which needs correcting. If you no longer have this vehicle, please let us know by completing the card and mailing it back to us.

The postage has been paid for you.

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

OLDSMOBILE DIVISION PRODUCT SERVICE ENGINEERING

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.