CAMPAIGN: REAR SHOULDER BELT PENDULUM INTERFERENCE
MODELS AFFECTED: 1990 RIVIERA
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 adequately repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie 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 reasonably 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 which is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center, Buick Home Office, if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the agreed service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time. the owners 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 exists in some 1990 Buick Rivieras. These vehicles may have been assembled with misaligned rear seat shoulder belt retractor assemblies. This condition may result in pendulum interference causing the belt to remain in the locked position or to travel freely without locking. In the event of a panic stop or collision, if the shoulder belt retractor inertia lock does not engage (lock), it could increase the likelihood of injury to a rear seat occupant. However, the lap belt does function as intended.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1990 Buick Rivieras within the following VIN range:
Through and Plant Beginning Including ----- --------- --------- Hamtramck LU400001 LU404105
NOTICE: All vehicles indicated on dealer list require inspection. Other suspect vehicles should be checked for campaign completion utilizing the Vehicle Infomation Service System (V.I.S.S.) because certain vehicles were corrected by the assembly plant prior to shipment.
DEALER ACTION
To correct this condition, dealers are to inspect and, if necessary, realign the rear seat shoulder belt retractor assembly on suspect vehicles per the VEHICLES INVOLVED and SERVICE PROCEDURE sections of this bulletin.
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 modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
In addition, dealers are to perform the campaign on all affected vehicles as they are brought in for any kind of service.
DEALER MATERIAL
If your dealership has vehicles involved in this campaign, you will receive the following items:
o List of all vehicles involved in this campaign shipped to your dealership.
o One (1) Campaign Identification Label per vehicle involved.
o Special magnet to perform inspection (J-38755).
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 the involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data will enable dealers to follow-up with the owners involved in this campaign.
These computer 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.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners of vehicles involved in this campaign will be notified by Buick Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included in this bulletin).
CHANGE OF OWNER INFORMATION
Dealers are to use the Dealer Communication System (DCS) to provide Buick Motor Division with subsequent Buick owner information. By reporting a change of owner name or address of a vehicle in campaign status over the DCS, the need to send a CVAR form for that vehicle is eliminated. Terminal input instructions are covered in the DCS Manual under Section 9, Page 9-J01A and B.
PARTS INFORMATION
No parts are required to complete this campaign.
SPECIAL TOOLS
As indicated in the Service Procedure section of this bulletin, it is necessary to use a special magnet to properly perform the inspection and repair procedures required to correct this condition.
This special magnet (J-38755) will be forwarded to dealers by Kent-Moore Tool Division in the near future at no charge. Only this magnet should be used. The magnet has a graphite-like coating which will rub off. Wrap sides of magnet with one layer of masking tape to protect interior trim surfaces. Take special care when using, transporting, and storing magnet. This magnet is very strong and could easily be lost by attaching itself to a nearby metal object.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Tools required:
18mm deep well socket and ratchet razor blade or sharp knife torque wrench magnet J-38755 extension for ratchet and torque wrench may be necessary masking tape
NOTICE: A special magnet (J-38755) is required to perform the following inspection and repair procedures. One of these special magnets is being supplied to each dealer for this campaign (see Special Tools section). Only this magnet should be used.
INSPECTION
NOTICE: Both right and left rear seat shoulder belt retractors must be inspected to determine if repair is required.
1. Pull and release the shoulder belt. The belt should move in and out freely. If the belt does not move, proceed directly to Step 6 to repair.
2. Position the magnet (J-38755) against outside of retractor cover, toward outboard side, and approximately center fore and aft. Slide the magnet down between cover and quarter trim panel until it rests on the shelf. See Figure 1.
3. Pull the shoulder belt. The belt should be locked. If the shoulder belt does not lock, slide magnet around slowly while pulling on the belt. Keep the magnet against the side of the cover. See Figure 2. If the belt cannot be made to lock, proceed directly to Step 6 to repair.
4. Remove magnet. Pull and release shoulder belt. The belt should again move in and out freely.
5. If the belt does not function as described in Steps 1, 3 and 4, the retractor assembly must be remounted per the following repair procedure.
If the belt does function as described in Steps 1, 3 and 4, proceed directly to Step 17 and install Campaign Completion Label.
REPAIR
This procedure should be followed only for those belts which did not function properly during the inspection procedure. A second technician is required for Step 14.
6. Open deck lid.
7. Remove nut and washer retaining shoulder belt retractor assembly onto shelf. Nut and washer are located under the shelf and are accessible through the trunk. Reference 1990 Riviera/Reatta Manual Section 10-11. Do not remove belt assembly at this time.
8. Rotate the belt and cover assembly clockwise as far as it will go. A rotation limiting pin and the threaded mounting stud will allow minimal rotation. Do not raise the retractor off the shelf while rotating; the rotation limiting pin should remain engaged. See Figure 3.
9. Holding the retractor cover in position, outline the rear and outboard sides of the cover by applying masking tape to the shelf along the edge of the cover. See Figure 4.
10. Remove the retractor assembly.
11. Using a razor blade or sharp knife, cut away the carpeted shelf and insulator around the retractor opening on the rear and outboard sides, as shown in Figure 5. Be sure to stay 5-6mm (1/4") inside the outline of the retractor cover so that the larger opening will not be exposed.
12. Reassembly retractor to shelf, making sure the belt is not twisted. Seat the assembly onto the shelf and ensure that the rotation limiting pin is secured.
13. Again, rotate the assembly clockwise as far as it will go. See Figure 3.
14. With another technician holding the retractor in position, tighten the retractor nut and washer. It is important to hold the retractor down and prevent rotation during tightening so that the retractor remains clear of the shelf trim. Torque nut to 25-45 N.m (18.5-33 lbs. ft).
15. Verify that the retractor is functioning properly by again performing the inspection with the special magnet described in Steps 1 through 4. If the belt still does not function as described in Steps 1, 3, and 4, repeat repair procedure Steps 12 through 15.
16. Close deck lid.
17. Install 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 ballpoint 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.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
List the one applicable labor operation. SUBLET FAILURE LABOR LABOR OTHER DEALER OPER CODE OP # HOURS HOURS MT.TWG. ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ------- Inspect both rear shoulder 96 V5810 .2 .1* belt retractor assemblies only
Realign one rear 96 V5811 .5 .1* shoulder belt retractor assembly (inspection of both incl.)
Realign both rear 96 V5812 .8 .1* shoulder belt retractor assemblies (inspection incl.)
*Dealer Administration Allowance.
NOTICE: No parts are required to complete this campaign.
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 Recall
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990 Buick Rivieras. These vehicles may have been assembled with misaligned rear seat shoulder belt retractor assemblies. This condition may result in pendulum interference causing the belt to remain in the locked position or to travel freely without locking. In the event of a panic stop or collision, if the shoulder belt retractor inertia lock does not engage (lock), it could increase the likelihood of injury to a rear seat occupant. However, the lap belt does function as intended.
What We Will Do
To correct this condition, your dealer will inspect and, if necessary, realign affected rear seat shoulder belt retractor assemblies. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
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. The labor time necessary to perform the inspection is approximately fifteen (15) minutes. If realignment is necessary, up to fifty (50) minutes will be required to service your vehicle. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
Your Buick dealer is best equipped to provide service to ensure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. However, if you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and he does 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. The Customer Assistance Center will assist you and the dealer in getting your vehicle serviced.
If, after contacting your dealer and the Buick Customer Assistance Center, you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC residents use 366-0123).
The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage-paid Owner Reply Card and returning it to us. We are sorry to cause you 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.
