Buick is pleased to announce an exchange/repair program for instrument clusters used on the 1988 Regal. This program provides repaired instrument clusters in exchange for defective ones at a cost substantially below new replacement clusters.
A. HYBRID INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS (Standard - See Figure 1) ----------------------------- Hybrid instrument clusters are serviced by the exchange units listed below:
Exchange Unit Description ------------- ----------- 25082601 Miles (U.S.) 25083172 Kilometers (Canadian)
The exchange units are entire instrument cluster assemblies.
Exchange units are obtained by telephoning one of the eight authorized AC-Delco Service Centers listed on the last page of this bulletin. They are shipped with memo billings, via UPS, within 24 hours of the request. The memo billings are cancelled when inoperative instrument clusters are received by the service center from which exchange units were obtained.
The only dealer replaceable components are lamp and socket assemblies. They are available from GMSPO.
Lamp & Socket Assy. Description ------------------ ----------- 25085968 1 candlepower - PC161 - black socket
25085969 2 candlepower - PC194 - gray socket
25087582 2 candlepower - PC194G - yellow socket - green lamp
Please adhere to the following procedure when a vehicle requires dealer service for an inoperative instrument cluster.
1. Follow the diagnostics procedure in the Service Manual precisely and completely. Many problems perceived to be in the instrument cluster are actually problems with remote sensors and connectors. Proper diagnostics will identify the source of the problem and avoid unnecessary removal and shipping of functional clusters to service centers.
2. When diagnostics are complete and the fault is determined to be in the instrument cluster, call one of the service centers, and request the appropriate exchange unit. If the service center called does not have the exchange unit in stock, call other service centers until an exchange unit is located. Tell the service center the proper mileage to which the odometer should be set and whether the vehicle has a factory installed cruise control or antilock brake system.
3. Upon receiving the exchange unit from the service center, take it into the car, still packed in the reusable shipping container. The container protects it from damage due to static electricity. Use care in handling the exchange unit and the inoperative instrument cluster. Hands must be free of dirt and grease. Avoid touching electronic components, as electrostatic discharge can degrade performance or cause failure.
4. Remove the inoperative instrument cluster and replace it with the exchange unit.
5. Include a description of the instrument cluster problem in the "Nature of Problem" area of the ACD-1078 form. Pack the inoperative instrument cluster in the reusable shipping container together with all five copies of the completed ACD-1078 warranty form.
6. Enclosed in the reusable container is an addressed shipping label. Attach this label to the outside of the box and ship immediately to the service center from, which you obtained the exchange unit. The dealer copy of the ACD-1078 warranty form will be returned and the memo billing cancelled upon receipt of the inoperative instrument cluster at the service center.
7. Failure to return the inoperative instrument cluster in the special reusable container can result in a container replacement fee. Failure to return the ACD-1078 warranty form or the inoperative instrument cluster to the service center within 30 days of the date the exchange unit was shipped can result in a repair fee or an instrument cluster replacement fee.
The success of the hybrid instrument cluster Exchange/Repair Program is dependent upon prompt return of the inoperative instrument cluster to the service center. Your cooperation is essential to maintaining sufficient quantities of exchange stock.
B. DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS (Option UB3, See Figure 2) ------------------------------ The complete cluster assembly is serviced by an exchange unit only. No repairs should be attempted on these clusters, except the replacement of lamp and socket assemblies.
Lamp/Socket Assy. Number Used ---------------- ----------- 25086961 4 25089115 3
Exchange cluster assemblies are only available from Nippondenso Sales, Inc. Nippondenso's phone number is 1-800-242-9901 (Outside Michigan) 1-800-443-3187 (Inside Michigan) 1-800-350-7500 (local)
Information required for an exchange cluster (warranty and non warranty):
Dealer Name Dealer Code Dealer Address Dealer Repair Order Number Dealer Phone Number Vehicle Mileage VIN Dealer Purchase Order Humber Description of Cluster Problem
Please adhere to the following procedure when a vehicle requires dealer service:
1. Follow the Service Manual diagnostics procedure precisely and completely. Many problems perceived to be in the instrument cluster are actually problems with remote sensors or connectors. Proper diagnostics will identify the source of the problem and avoid unnecessary removal and shipping of functional clusters to Nippondenso.
2. If the cluster is determined to be defective when diagnostics are complete, call Nippondenso and request an exchange cluster.
3. After the exchange cluster is received, remove the defective cluster from the vehicle.
4. Install the exchange cluster in the vehicle. Handle the cluster carefully, making sure hands are free of dirt and grease.
5. Complete the Nippondenso Repair Order received with the exchange cluster and be sure to include a description of the cluster malfunction.
6. Pack the defective cluster into the special reusable shipping container, and enclose the completed Nippondenso Repair Order (dealer is to keep dealer copy of Nippondenso Repair Order - see Warranty Information).
7. Attach the provided shipping label to the outside of the special shipping container and ship prepaid to Nippondenso Sales, Inc.
A copy of the Nippondenso Repair Order must be attached to the dealer warranty repair order. Nippondenso will bill the dealer for the exchange charge ($160.00) and shipping, regardless of whether the vehicle is in warranty or out of warraty. The dealer should pay Nippondenso immediately.
If the vehicle is in warranty, a warranty claim should be submitted using the appropriate labor operation number. The exchange charge, dealer handling charge, and total shipping charges should be submitted in the net item column.
$160.00 Exchange Charge 30% Dealer Handling Charge + Total Shipping Charges -------- Total in net item column
An invoice will be included with the exchange cluster. The core charge on this invoice ($500.00) will be cancelled upon return of the defective cluster to Nippondenso within 30 days. Failure to return the defective cluster within 30 days or failure to return the cluster in the special reusable shipping container will result in the dealer being liable for the $500.00 core charge. The success of this exchange program is dependent upon the prompt return of defective clusters to Nippondenso.
California Auto Electric Radio (714) 871-7357 1841 W. Commonwealth 1-800-321-6969 (Outside California) Fullerton, CA 92633 1-800-321-6970 (California Only)
Randazzo Entronix (408) 293-1920 233 Commercial St. 1-800-538-9702 (Outside California) San Jose, CA 95112 1-800-662-9877 (California Only)
Florida Techni-Car, Inc. (813) 884-0022 5688 West Crenshaw 1-800-822-0022 (Outside Florida) Tampa, FL 33614 1-800-662-0022 (Florida Only)
Illinois D & B Auto Radio, Inc. (312) 678-8475 3725 N. 25th Avenue 1-800-323-4813 (Outside Illinois) Schiller Park, IL 60176 1-800-942-8049 (Illinois Only)
Michigan Specmo Enterprises (313) 399-5645 2344 N. Woodward Avenue 1-800-545-7911 (Outside Michigan) Royal Oak, MI 48073 1-800-545-7910 (Michigan Only)
New York United Radio Service (315) 446-5570 2949 Erie Blvd., East 1-800-448-0944 (Outside New York) Syracuse, NY 13224 1-800-962-0901 (New York Only)
Texas Speedometer Service, Inc. (214) 380-8944 3227 Skylane Drive 1-800-527-0108 or 9 (Outside Texas) Carrollton, TX 75006 1-800-492-9026 (Texas Only
Ontario Custone Auto Radio (416) 668-2664 1614 Charles St. 1-800-263-7867 (Canada Only) Whitby, Ontario Canada LlN lB9
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AUTHORIZED NIPPONDENSO SERVICE CENTER
Nippondenso Sales, Inc. 1-800-242-9901 (Outside Michigan) 24777 Denso Drive 1-800-443-3187 (Inside Michigan) P.O. Box 5133 1-800-350-7500 (local) Southfield, MI 48086-5133
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.