CAMPAIGN: NO REVERSE/BAND DRAG REVERSE MOVEMENT IN NEUTRAL

SUBJECT: NO REVERSE, REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE, OR VEHICLE MOVEMENT IN REVERSE WHILE IN NEUTRAL

MODELS AFFECTED: CERTAIN 1992 CENTURYS WITH 3300 ENGINE (VIN CODE N) AND 4T60 TRANSAXLE (SALES CODE MXO) CERTAIN 1992 REGALS

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facia evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.

If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the owner may be entitled to an identical or reasonable equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.

To avoid having to provide these burdensome solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

CONDITION:

---------- General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exist in certain 1992 Century and Regal model vehicles equipped with four-speed automatic transaxles. The reverse servo apply pin may bind in the case which could cause reverse band distress, (loss or slipping of reverse), reverse band drag in drive range (poor performance/low power), or the vehicle to remain in reverse while the shift indicator shows neutral gear position. If the vehicle remains in reverse while the shift indicator shows neutral, and the driver does not apply the brake, the vehicle may unexpectedly move rearward and cause an accident without prior warning.

DEALER ACTION

To prevent this condition from occurring, dealers are to inspect involved vehicles; then if necessary, test involved vehicles; and finally replace transaxles as required. DCS message 92-06, dated November 11, 1991 was sent to all Buick dealers with instructions to hold all unsold suspect vehicles until further notice was received. All unsold suspect vehicles MUST be held at dealers and inspected/repaired per the campaign Service Procedure BEFORE owners take possession of these vehicles. Completion of this campaign lifts hold on unsold vehicles in the DCS message.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Buick Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1992 Century and Regal model vehicles built with the 4T60 transaxle with transaxle Julian date codes of 282 through and including 297 with case machine operation number 50 and machine unit number 4 (see figure 2), within the following VIN breakpoints:

NUMBER AFFECTED THROUGH AND IN RANGE MODEL PLANT BEGINNING VIN INCLUDING VIN -------- ------- ----------- ------------- ------------- 485 Century Oklahoma City N6419461 * N6429852 * 21 Century Ramos Arizpe NS608742 * NS611168 2,571 Regal Oshawa N1426290 * N1434737 *

*Note: Vehicle ranges involved different than DCS 92-06.

Some of the subject vehicles within the breakpoints listed above were corrected at the factory prior to being shipped and will not require correction by the dealer. Factory corrected transaxles can be identified by a black "X" marked on the barrel of the case (see figure 3). All subject vehicles which are listed on the dealers' campaign printout will require correction as outlined in the SERVICE PROCEDURE section of this bulletin. Other suspect vehicles should be checked for campaign involvement by utilizing the Vehicle Information Service System (V.I.S.S.).

While all vehicles involved will require an inspection of the transaxle ID tag for Julian date, and case for machine unit stamp verification, it is expected that only about 7% of the inspected vehicles will require a transaxle exchange.

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.

These listings may contain owner names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

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 correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). To ensure these parts will be obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMSPO on a "C.I.O." order with no special instruction code, but on an advise code (2).

PART TRANSAXLE PART QUANTITY/ MODEL ENGINE DESCRIPTION MODEL NUMBER VEHICLE ------- ----- -------------- ------- ------- ------------- Century 3300 Transaxle Asm. 2WFH 8676930 1 as required Regal 3.1 Transaxle Asm. 2YKH 8676939 1 as required Regal 3800 Transaxle Asm. 2WWH 8676931 1 as required

It is estimated that only about one in every forty vehicles will actually require a transaxle replacement.

Note: For "V.I.P." overnight delivery, please refer to GMSPO expanded "V.I.P." Overnight Delivery Program Bulletin No. IB 90-110 for ordering procedures.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

1. Ensure the car has a 4-speed (overdrive) automatic transax-le option (transaxle shift lever indicator will have an overdrive and a 3rd gear "D" range).

2. Lift the vehicle following all safety precautions. Ensure the vehicle is properly supported. Inspect the transaxle ID tag (figure 1 for Julian dates 282 to 297), and case machining stamp (figure 2 for 504 on lower line) to determine if the vehicle needs to be tested.

o If vehicles has Julian date 282 to 297 and case machine stamp ending in 504, proceed to Inspection Test Procedure.

o If vehicle Julian date is not 282 to 297, or case machine stamp does not end in 504, proceed to step 8.

Note: The operation case machine stamp at the end of barrel is stamped on a cast surface and may be difficult to read. If there is a question as to the legibility of the stamp, the test below must be performed on vehicles with Julian transaxle dates of 282 to 297.

INSPECTION TEST PROCEDURE

IMPORTANT: Reverse band drag has been found to be temperature sensitive and may go away once the transaxle is up to operating temperature. The vehicle must sit outside overnight, and must not be moved prior to perfoming this procedure. This will ensure that an accurate test is conducted.

3. Jack up the front end of the vehicle following all safety precautions, block rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling. Ensure the front wheels are off the ground, and the vehicle is properly supported. Start the vehicle and put the range selector in Overdrive (D) and get the vehicle speedometer up to 40 MPH.

4. Release the accelerator and slowly apply the brakes to completely stop the wheels. Then put the range selector in reverse and idle for 5 (five) seconds with foot off the brake pedal.

5. Slowly apply the brakes to completely stop the wheels. Then put the range selector in neutral. With your foot OFF the brake pedal, look at the drive wheel on the driver's side of the vehicle. The wheel should be stopped or spinning in the forward direction (counter-clock wise) and can be easily stopped by applying resistance. If this is the case, proceed to step 8. If not, proceed to step 6.

6. If the wheel from the driver's side of the vehicle is spinning in reverse (clockwise), the transaxle MUST be changed. Replace the transaxle with the same model as shown on the transaxle ID plate, (figure 1). Proceed to step 7.

REMOVE AND REPLACE TRANSAXLE PROCEDURE

NOTICE: Preset memory settings will be lost when the battery is disconnected. A memory retention device, such as Kent-Moore tool KS295A; Borroughs tool BT9027; or Snap-On "Memor-Eze" tool YA960, may be used to retain memory function. If no such tool is available, please advise owner that the battery was disconnected and preset memory function will need to be reset.

7. If the transaxle needs to be replaced, refer to the appropriate section of your 1992 SERVICE MANUAL for the correct procedure.

NOTICE: Remember to flush the transaxle oil cooler and lines as noted in the Service Manual. Time is included in the Labor Operation for this procedure.

8. Install a campaign identification label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label." Each label provides a space to include the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in for periodic servicing by the owner.

Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

DISPOSITION OF REPLACED PARTS

Replaced transaxle assemblies should be returned through the normal procedure.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Submit claim using the one appropriate labor operation.

Parts Failed Part Failure Labor Labor Other Dlr. Oper Count Part No. Allow. Code Op.No. Hours Hours Mtl.Twg. ---- ----- ------ ----- ---- ----- ----- ----- ------- o Inspect transaxle ID for Julian date and machine stamp ending in 504 on case 96 V7200 .2 *.1 **

o Inspect transaxle as above and perform overnight inspection test procedure 96 V7201 .2 *.1 **

o Perform inspections/test procedure and replace transaxle Century (3300 eng.) # 8676930 ## 96 V7202 4.5 *.1 **

Regal (3.1 *** eng.) # 8676939 ## 96 V7202 5.3 *.1 **

Regal (3800 *** eng.) # 8676931 ## 96 V7202 5.7 *.1 **

# Use actual number of parts used

## Use current dealer net price plus 30% of all parts involved.

* Campaign Administrative Allowance

** For customers who are currently driving a vehicle that will be held overnight for an inspection test evaluation or longer, if the transaxle needs to be replaced, contact your zone/branch representative for authorization of courtesy vehicles. Reasonable expenses may be submitted under sublet with proper authorization.

If necessary on sold cars only, for customer satisfaction, transaxles may be ordered "V.I.P." then include the additional charges under the sublet column.

*** Includes .6 hour for check and adjust toe-in on Regal. Add .2 hours for locking wire wheel covers on Regals that already have wire wheel covers installed.

Note: If transaxle is replaced, approximately 7.6L (8.0 quarts) of transaxle fluid will need to be added.

Dear Buick Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

REASON FOR THIS RECALL

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1992 Century and Regal model vehicles equipped with four-speed automatic transaxles. The reverse servo apply pin may bind in the case which could cause reverse band distress (loss or slipping of reverse), reverse band drag in drive range (poor performance/low power), or the vehicle to remain in reverse while the shift indicator shows neutral gear position. If the vehicle remains in reverse while the shift indicator shows neutral, and the driver does not apply the brake, the vehicle may unexpectedly move rearward and cause an accident without prior warning.

WHAT WE WILL Do

To prevent these conditions from occurring, dealers will inspect, test if necessary, and replace the transaxle where required. This service will be performed for you at no charae.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please contact your Buick dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions have been sent to your dealer. It is estimated that parts will be available to your dealer November 29, 1991. Your dealer will be able to estimate the total time needed to process, and return your vehicle once presented the opportunity to inspect and evaluate your vehicle for this concern. Your dealer may need to hold your car overnight to properly perform an accurate test, since this concern is temperature sensitive. If there is a need to hold your vehicle, your dealer may be able to assist you in arranging to make your vehicle available for this test.

If the test should indicate that removal of the transaxle is required, a new transaxle will be installed. If replacement is required, your dealer may continue to assist in making your vehicle available for correction.

If it is necessary to test and replace the transaxle in your vehicle up to six (6) hours of labor may be required.

Your Buick dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to ensure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. If, however, you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition on that date or within five (5) days, we recommend you contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center, Flint Home Office, by calling 1-800-521-7300.

After contacting your dealer and the Customer Assistance Center, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington D.C. residents use 366-0123).

The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary 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 this inconvenience, however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and 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.