SPECIAL POLICY - STALL DIAG. SERVICE PROCEDURES OUTLINED
SPECIAL COVERAGE - STALL DIAGNOSIS
MODELS: Pontiac: 1986-87 Grand Am With 3.0L Engine (VIN Code L) 1987 Bonneville with 3.8L Engine (VIN Code 3)
Buick: 1986-87 Century, LeSabre, Electra/Park Avenue and Riviera Models With 3.8L SFI Engine (VIN Code 3 and B)
1986-87 Skylark/Somerset Models With 3.0L Engine (VIN Code L)
1986 LeSabre Model With 3.0L Engine (VIN Code L)
Oldsmobile: 1986 Eighty-Eight With 3.0L Engine (VIN Code L)
1986-87 Cutlass Calais With 3.0L Engine (VIN Code L)
1986-87 Cutlass Ciera, Eighty-Eight Models With 3.8L Engine (VIN Code 3)
1986 Ninety-Eight, Toronado Models With 3.8L Engine (VIN Code B)
1986 Cutlass Cruiser, Ninety-Eight and Toronado Models With 3.8L Engine (VIN Code 3)
NOTICE: This bulletin is intended to advise you of Special Coverage that is being extended to all owners of front-wheel drive Buicks, Pontiacs, and Oldsmobiles produced with 3.0L and 3.8L engines in 1986 and 1987 model years. This bulletin supplements Bulletin 91-630-100 and 91-638-103 (Corporation No. 006501) until January 31, 1993.
Some 1986 and 1987 Pontiac Grand Am and Bonneville; Buick Skylark,/Somerset, Century, LeSabre, Electra/Park Avenue and Riviera; Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais, Cutlass Ciera, Ninety- Eight, Eight-Eight and Toronado model vehicles with Engine VIN Code 3, B, and L may be experiencing intermittent stalling. To correct the stalling complaints, a comprehensive diagnostic procedure manual was developed and released in December, 1990 (Service Bulletin 91-630-100 and 91-638-103).
To assist owners on these vehicles that are still experiencing intermittent stalling, GM is providing Special Coverage for this condition until January 31, 1993 or 160,000 km 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.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are 1986 and 1987 model vehicles with the engines indicated:
Engine Engine Up To And Year Model Size VIN Code Beginning Including ----- -------- ----- -------- --------- --------- 1986 Grand Am 3.0L L SOP EOP 1987 Grand Am 3.0L L SOP EOP 1987 Bonneville 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1986-87 Somerset/Skylark 3.0L L SOP EOP 1986-87 Century 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1986 LeSabre 3.0L L SOP EOP 1986-87 LeSabre 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1986 Electra/Park Avenue 3.8L B SOP EOP 1986 Riviera 3.8L B SOP EOP 1987 Electra/Park Avenue 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1987 Riviera 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1986-87 Cutlass Calais 3.0L L SOP EOP 1986-87 Cutlass Ciera 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1987 Cutlass Cruiser 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1986 Eighty-Eight 3.0L L SOP EOP 1986-87 Eighty-Eight 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1986 Ninety-Eight 3.8L B SOP EOP 1987 Ninety-Eight 3.8L 3 SOP EOP 1986 Toronado 3.8L B SOP EOP 1987 Toronado 3.8L 3 SOP EOP
SPECIAL COVERAGE
General Motors of Canada, from the date of this bulletin, offers the following Special Coverage to owners of vehicles described in the Vehicle Involved section of this bulletin:
GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR 1986 AND 1987 FRONT WHEEL DRIVE PONTIAC GRAND AM AND BONNEVILLE: BUICK SKYLARK, SOMERSET, CENTURY, LESABRE, ELECTRA AND RIVIERA: OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CALAIS, CUTLASS CIERA, CUTLASS CRUISER, EIGHTY-EIGHT, NINETY-EIGHT AND TORONADO EQUIPPED WITH 3.0 AND 3.8 LITRE ENGINES - INTERMITTENT STALLING CONDITION.
General Motors of Canada will make repairs and adjustments necessary to correct intermittent stalling, as specified in the 1986-87 GM 3.0L and 3.8L Stall Diagnostic Procedures Manual until January 31, 1993 or for the initial 160,000 kilometres of vehicle use, whichever comes first. This special coverage is in addition to the warranties which were provided when the car was originally sold.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
o Damage caused by improper repairs and maintenance, abuse, collision, fire and/or theft;
o 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);
o Replacement of maintenance items identified in the Maintenance Schedule, including:
- Spark Plugs - Fuel Filter - PCV Valve - Air Cleaner & PCV Filter - Engine Oil - Engine Coolant
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners of vehicles involved in this Special Coverage will be notified by General Motors (see copy of owner's letter and Special Coverage brochure included with this bulletin).
REIMBURSEMENT
Customer claims for reimbursement on previously paid repairs to be submitted according to the instructions included with this bulletin. 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.
Claims for customer reimbursement of previously paid repairs are to be submitted as a Net Item Dollar Amount on a warranty claim.
Authorization is required on all claim submissions which fall into the Owner Reimbursement category. Labour Operation T5257 is to be used for owner reimbursement only.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operation (GMSPO). See the " 1986-87 3.0L and 3.8L Stall Diagnostic" Manual for appropriate part numbers.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
See the "1986-87 3.0L and 3.8L Stall Diagnostics" Manual, mailed to dealers January 1991. Three additional copies of this manual and one pad of questionnaires are being provided to all dealers, along with this bulletin.
o All involved vehicles brought in for intermittent stalling must have Questionnaire and Basic Diagnostic and Repair Procedures Sections 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.
o Portions of Supplementary Diagnostic and Repair Procedures Section of the handbook are to be used if the condition is still present after completion of 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 Branch authorization is required before proceeding with Supplementary Diagnostic and Repair Procedure.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
After performing the Stall Diagnostic procedure outlined in the Service Procedure of this bulletin, submit a Warranty Claim for credit as indicated below:
o Complete Questionnaire and Basic Diagnostic and Repair Procedures of Stall Diagnostic Manual.
Labour Parts Failed Parts Operation Time Count Part Number Amount Number Allowance ----- ----------- ------ --------- --------- # *** **** T5201 1.7*
Add Times:
For PROM (All Engines) .3 R & R Throttle Body To Clean (3.0L VIN Code L Only) .5
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).
NOTE: Use T5201 even if vehicle is within 5 years/80,000 km.
o Additional Parts and/or Repairs (Supplementary Diagnostic and Repair Procedure) NOTE: Including Coil and Coil Module Replacement.
Labour Parts Failed Parts Operation Time Count Part Number Amount Number Allowance ----- ----------- ------ ------- --------- # *** **** T5256 #
** Use actual number of parts replaced. Maximum allowable 3 (PROM, MAF, and/or Crank Sensor)
*** Use appropriate part number(s).
**** Current Dealer Net GMSPO price plus 30% handling allowance of all parts included on this line.
# Use actual number of parts replaced above. Prior Dealer Service Manager's authorization is required for T5256 operation. For times, use applicable "J" labour Operation. For those vehicles within 5 years/80,000 km, use applicable "J" Labour Operation instead of T5256.
Reimbursement for Previous Repair T5257 (See Instructions for Reimbursement)
Dear General Motors Customer:
We at General Motors are very concerned about our 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 GM customers with 1986 and 1987 model front-wheel drive cars equipped with 3.0L or 3.8L V6 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 General Motors dealerships. This procedure has been very effective in correcting intermittent stalling.
Second, General Motors of Canada is 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 glove box materials in your car. This special coverage is good until January 31, 1993 or for the initial 160,000 kilometres 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 may contact your GM 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.
We hope that these steps will satisfactorily address any intermittent stalling problems in your vehicle, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Please call us at our Customer Assistance Centre toll free, by calling 1-860-263-3777 (English Service) or 1-800-263-7854 (French Service), if you have any questions about this program.
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.
