CAMPAIGN: INCORRECT A/C REFRIGERANT (INSPECT/REPLACE)
Incorrect Air Conditioning Refrigerant
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix With A/C (RPO C67)
TO: ALL AFFECTED DEALERS:
DEFECT INVOLVED
General Motors of Canada 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.
To correct this condition, the air conditioning accumulator assembly will be inspected and, if required, replaced and the system recharged on all involved vehicles before delivery to customers (reference administrative messages dated June 10 and June 16, 1988).
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are certain 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix model vehicles produced within the following VIN breakpoints:
PLANT FROM THROUGH ----- ---- -------
Fairfax JF264976 JF268673
All affected vehicles have been identified by the VIN listing provided to involved Dealers with this bulletin. Any Dealer not receiving a listing was not shipped any of the affected vehicles.
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 reselling 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.
CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:
Refer to Section 4 of the Service Policies and Procedures Manual for the detailed procedure on handling Product Campaigns.Dealers are requested to complete the campaign on all transfers soon as possible.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
All owners of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors. The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.
PARTS INFORMATION:
Parts should be ordered through regular channels as follows:
Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- ------------ -------
2724409 Accumulator Assembly Air Conditioning 1 (As Required)
NPN Freon - "Refrigerant - 12" 2.25 lbs (As Required)
NPN Refrigerant Oil (525 Viscosity) 3.0 oz. (As Required)
PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:
Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly: completed campaign claim card, RAPID terminal or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:
Repair Code Description Time Allowance ----------- ------------ --------------
1A Inspect for Paint on Fittings Only 0.3
2A Replace Accumulator/Dehydrator and Charge System 1.5
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 1B-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 instructions, pages 1B-18 and 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.
INSTALLATION OF CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Clean surface of radiator upper mounting panel and apply a Campaign Identification Label. Make sure the correct campaign number is inserted on the label. This will indicate that the campaign has been completed.
Dear General Motors Customer:
This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors of Canada 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 will be inspected and, if required, replaced and the system recharged. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Pontiac Deater as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your Dealer. The labour time necessary to perform the service inspection is approximately fifteen (15) minutes, but one and one half (1-1/2) 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.
Service Department
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.
