SPECIAL POLICY: ELECTRONIC COMPASS/SSE
MODELS: Some 1989 Pontiac Bonneville SSE
General Motors of Canada has determined that some 1989 Pontiac Bonneville SSE model vehicles may experience an electronic compass transistor failure in the compass power supply. This transistor failure will result in a blank compass display.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are 1989 Pontiac Bonneville SSE model vehicles produced within the following VIN breakpoints:
YEAR PLANT BEGINNING UP TO AND INCLUDING ---- ---------- --------- ------------------- 1989 Willow Run SOP KW275773
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT
Should a failed electronic compass occur on the vehicles covered, General Motors will replace the instrument cluster (which contains the electronic compass).
This Special Policy covers both parts and labour to replace the electronic cluster for a period of three (3) years or 80,000 km, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service ($100.00 deductible does not apply).
Replacement parts are to be obtained through authorized AC-Delco Service Centres following the procedure outlined in Service Bulletin 88-8-106 dated October 19, 1987.
This "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletin" should be filed in the 3 RING BINDER furnished to the dealer by General Motors.
REIMBURSEMENT
Customer claims for reimbursement on previously paid repairs to correct an electronic compass transistor failure condition, are to be submitted according to the instructions included with this bulletin. Owners must submit original documentation that reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expenses, a description of the repair, the date of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this Special Policy on their vehicles by General Motors of Canada Limited (see copy of Owner Letter included with this bulletin).
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Set ignition at OFF or LOCK and disconnect negative battery cable before servicing.
2. Remove and install complete replacement cluster following procedure outlined in the 1989 Bonneville Service Manual, Section 8C.
NOTICE: When handling an electronic part which is sensitive to static electricity, observe the guidelines to reduce electrostatic charge buildup on your body and/or the electronic part as listed on page 8C-3 of the 1989 Bonneville Service Manual.
3. Reconnect negative battery cable.
4. Return removed instrument cluster in the reusable shipping container with a copy of the repair order within 10 days to the AC-Delco Service Centre from which it was obtained.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required for this Special Policy are to be obtained through the AC-Delco Service Centres using the Instrument Cluster Exchange/Repair Program procedure described in Dealer Service Bulletin 88-8-106, dated October 19, 1987.
Part numbers involved are shown on the enclosed illustration.
IMPORTANT: Since this is an exchange program, dealers should schedule owners based on the availability of clusters. Promptly return removed clusters to the Service Centres. Failure to return clusters in the special reusable container with a copy of the repair order within ten (10) days" of the date the exchange unit was shipped, can result in additional cost as described in Service Bulletin 88-8-106. Such additional cost may become the responsibility of the dealer.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
When performing the repair as outlined in this special policy, the dealer is requested to submit a warranty claim for credit as follows:
Labour Other* Operation Time Labour Net** Number Description Allowance Hours Item --------- --------------- -------- ------ ------ T3252 Install Exchange .4 .5 Instrument Cluster
* Administration allowance to cover the packaging and returning the defective instrument cluster.
** Sublet repair charge from AC-Delco Service Centre and any dealer incurred shipping charges.
OWNER REIMBURSEMENT
Claims for customer reimbursement of previously paid repairs are to be submitted as a Net Item Dollar Amount on a warranty claim as follows:
Labour Net Item Operation Dollar Number Amount -------- -------- T8026 $xx.xx
Authorization is required on all claim submissions which fall into the Owner Reimbursement category. This labour operation is to be used for owner reimbursement only.
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 labour operation as outlined.
Dear General Motors Customer:
Some 1989 Pontiac Bonneville SSE owners may experience an electronic compass failure in which the display may go blank after some period of use. This condition may happen after the twelve (12) month/20,000 km portion of the warranty period.
General Motors regrets this problem, and in the interest of cusotmer satisfaction, has adopted the following Special Policy.
Should an electronic compass failure occur, GM will replace the instrument cluster (which contains the electronic compass). This service will be performed by your GM dealer at no charge to you.
This Special Policy covers both parts and labour for three (3) years or 80,000 km whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service.
We suggest you keep this letter and place it in the glove compartment along with the Warranty Booklet.
In the event you experience an electronic compass failure, contact your GM dealer to arrange a service date. Be prepared to advise your dealer of your exact odometer mileage. Service will be performed using an exchange instrument cluster. The exchange instrument cluster may be a remanufactured instrument cluster that has been repaired and tested to meet new instrument cluster standards.
We regret any inconvenience that you may experience; however, we are taking this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our product.
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.
Further assistance, if required, may be obtained from the General Motors Zone Office nearest you. Your vehicle Owner's Manual provides the location and phone number o each respective Zone Office.
We are sorry to cause your 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.
