General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that certain 1994 Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood model vehicles with 4L60E automatic transmissions may have the transmission shift linkage improperly adjusted. This mis-adjustment may allow transmission fluid to leak into an incorrect hydraulic circuit while the vehicle is being operated. Continued operation with hydraulic pressure in the wrong circuit could lead to a burnt low/reverse clutch which would make the transmission inoperative in reverse.
To correct this condition, dealers are to inspect the transmission fluid of all vehicles involved for signs of heat (burned fluid) and properly adjust the transmission shift linkage, utilizing a revised procedure.
Involved are certain 1994 Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
1994 Chev Caprice Arlington "R" RR100001 RR120614
1994 Buick Roadmaster Arlington "R" RR400001 RR404514
1994 Cad Fleetwood Arlington "R" RR700001 RR710577
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.
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the Service Procedure of this Campaign Bulletin before owners take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometers traveled, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory with no owner information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
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 as soon as possible.
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 (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.
In most instances, parts will not be required to complete this campaign. However, if transmission fluid shows signs of excessive heat, a transmission will be required and should be ordered through regular channels, as follows:
Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle ----------- ----------- ---------------- See Notice Below 4L60E Transmission Assembly 1, If Required
10952623 Automatic Transmission Fluid As Required
Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:
Repair Code Description Time Allowance ----------- ----------- -------------- 1A Inspect Fluid & Adjust Linkage 0.5 6A Inspect Fluid, Replace Trans. & Adjust Linkage 4.2
Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 40% to cover parts handling.
1. Inspect transmission fluid for signs of excessive heat (burnt smell and/or color changed to brown). If transmission fluid is burnt, replace complete transmission before adjusting linkage following instructions in the appropriate 1994 Service Manual. If fluid is not burnt or discolored, use steps 2 through 7 to properly adjust linkage.
2. Place steering column shift lever in "Neutral" position.
3. Loosen bolt which clamps shift rod to shift lever at side of transmission under vehicle.
4. Hang or attach a 3 pound weight on shift lever at steering column to bias linkage toward the "OD" (overdrive) position (see figure on page 4).
5. Verify transmission is still in "Neutral" position.
6. Retighten bolt to 28 N.m (21 lb. ft.).
7. Remove weight and verify shift linkage and steering column range selector for proper operation and selection.
8. Install 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.
General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that certain 1994 Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood model vehicles with 4L60E automatic transmissions may have the transmission shift linkage improperly adjusted. This mis-adjustment may allow transmission fluid to leak into an incorrect hydraulic circuit while the vehicle is being operated. Continued operation with hydraulic pressure in the wrong circuit could lead to a burnt low/reverse clutch which would make the transmission inoperative in reverse.
To correct this condition, your dealer will inspect the transmission fluid for signs of heat (burned fluid) and properly adjust the transmission shift linkage.
This service will be provided for you at no charge.
Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.
If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.
This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited
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.