CAMPAIGN: INCORRECT A/C REFRIGERANT (INSPECT/REPLACE)
MODELS AFFECTED 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix With Air Conditioning (RPO C67)
General Motors has determined that certain 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix models have been produced with air conditioning systems using incorrect refrigerant. Use of this refrigerant could result in the premature failure of certain air conditioning components.
To correct this condition, the air conditioning accumulator assembly must be inspected and, as required, replaced and the system recharged on all involved vehicles before delivery to customers (reference administrative mesages dated June 10 and June 16, 1988).
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix model vehicles produced within the following VIN breakpoints:
Year Plant Beginning Up to and Including ---- ----- --------- ------------------- 1988 Fairfax JF264976 JF268673
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to the involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.
These listings may contain owner 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 dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Pontiac Division (see copy of Owner Letter included with this bulletin).
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign 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 dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before resellinq or releasing the vehicle.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operation (GMSPO). To ensure that these parts are obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered on a C.I.O. order with no special instruction code, but on advise code (2).
Quantity/ Description Part Number Vehicle
Accumulator Assembly - Air Conditioning 2724409 1 (As required)
Freon - "Refrigerant-12" NPN 2.25 lbs. (As required)
Refrigerant Oil (525 Viscosity) NPN 3.0 oz. (As required)
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Some vehicles within the breakpoints provided in this bulletin may have been inspected and corrected at the assembly plant. These vehicles can be identified by the presence of black paint on the accumulator fittings.
Before replacing the accumulator, dealers should inspect for black painted fittings. If the accumulator has been previously replaced, install Campaign Identification Label. Dealers will be paid 0.2 hours for inspection and 0.1 hours for campaign administration.
If no black paint is found on the fittings, continue with accumulator replacement as follows:
1. Disconnect electrical connection to compressor clutch.
2. Set air conditioning (A/C) control to full hot, max, high blower and idle engine for a minimum of ten (10) minutes to warm up A/C system components.
3. Discharge A/C system per 1988 Grand Prix Service Manual instructions, page 1B-17, (DO NOT USE RECLAIMER).
4. Connect vacuum pump and evacuate system for ten (10) minutes.
5. Remove and replace accumulator/dehydrator bottle per 1988 Grand Prix Service Manual instructions, page IB-22.
NOTICE: - Use new "O" Rings supplied with new accumulator/dehydrator.
- If oil pours out of either port of removed accumulator/ dehydrator bottle when tipped, pour 3.0 oz. of new refrigerant oil into new accumulator/dehydrator bottle. If no oil can be poured out, do not add any refrigerant oil to new accumulator/ dehydrator bottle.
6. Evacuate A/C system to limit of vacuum pump and maintain vacuum for a minimum of twenty (20) minutes. Recharge system with new Refrigerant-12 per 1988 Grand Prix Service Manual iristructions, pages 1B-18 & 1B-19.
7. Reconnect compressor clutch electrical connector.
8. Check system for proper performance/operation.
9. Render old accumulator/dehydrator unusable.
10. Install Campaign Identification Label.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle modified in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label." Each label provides a space to include the campaign number, the five digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service, and the date the vehicle was campaigned. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen. Install the label only on a clean, dry surface of the radiator baffle where it is readily visible. (Additional campaign labels are available on stationery order as Form 7901-709).
CLAIM INFORMATION
A separate repair order must be used for each vehicle. A completed warranty claim is to be kept as a permanent record of completion.
DEALERS SHOULD SUBMIT WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CREDIT IN THEIR NORMAL MANNER WHEN THEY PERFORM THE SERVICE AS FOLLOWS:
Other* Failure Labor Labor Labor Sublet** Operation Code Operation Hours Hours Items --------- ------- --------- ----- ----- ------ Inspect For Paint --- On Fittings Only 96 V4850 0.2 0.1
Replace Accumulator/ Dehydrator & Charge System 96 V4851 1.6 0.1 $7.79
* In addition, dealerships will receive 0.1 hours credit for dealer adminis- trative services associated with this campaign. The 0.1 hours allowance is to be entered in the "Other Labor Hours" field with each campaign repair listed for credit. This entry will not require authorization.
** The $7.79 identified in the "Sublet Items" column represents the cost plus 30% for Refrigerant-12 and Refrigerant Oil used in conjunction with this repair.
FAILURE CODE 96 MUST BE USED WITH THIS LABOR OPERATION.
Parts required are to be listed in your warranty claim in the normal manner. Parts will be credited at dealer net plus 30% dealer handling allowance.
Dealers will be credited via Warranty Document or Terminal Transmission, whichever is their normal method of submission for payment. Claim must contain all information required and should list the labor operation as outlined.
RECORDING COMPLETION
Repairs submitted for vehicles not involved in the campaign will not be paid.
Campaign completion will be recorded from "PROPERLY COMPLETED AND PAID WARRANTY CLAIMS." Owners are being asked to present the owner reply card for identification to their dealer at the time they bring in their vehicle to have the campaign performed.
Dear Pontiac Owner:
This notice is sent to inform you that Pontiac Division is conducting a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.
REASON FOR THE RECALL
General Motors has determined that certain 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix model vehicles may have been produced with air conditioning systems using incorrect refrigerant. Use of this refrigerant could result in the premature failure of certain air conditioning components.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To correct this condition, the air conditioning accumulator assembly on your vehicle must be inspected and, as required, replaced and the system recharged. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. The labor time necessary to perform the service inspection is approximately fifteen (15) minutes, but one and one-half (11/2) hours will be required if accumulator assembly replacement is required. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary inspection/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 to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your 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.
