CAMPAIGN: UNDERHOOD FUSEBLOCK COVER
NOTE: GM OF CANADA CAMPAIGN 97018 IS LOCATED BELOW THE U.S. VERSION
PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN
SUBJECT: 97018 - UNDERHOOD FUSEBLOCK COVER ---------------------------------
MODELS: 1997 BUICK SKYLARK, OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA AND PONTIAC GRAND AM --------------------------------------------------
The Highway 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 customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to 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 customer 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 remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers are being instructed to contact the appropriate 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.
DEFECTINVOLVED
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1997 Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The protective cover for the underhood fuse center may have been omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed, and may come in contact with the insulated negative battery cable. Prolonged contact between the positive terminal bolt and the negative battery cable may cause abrasion of the insulation on the negative cable. If the insulation on the negative cable becomes sufficiently worn, an electrical short circuit between the
positive terminal and the negative cable could be created, resulting in extremely high current flow. This current flow could cause arcing and result in an underhood fire.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to check for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1997 Buick Skylark, Olbsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
PLANT YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH 1997 Pontiac Grand Am Lansing "C" VC769624 VC776486 1997 Pontiac Grand Am Lansing "M" VM535775 VM537040 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Lansing "M" VM320121 . VM321544 1997 Buick Skylark Lansing "C" VC428045 VC428760
NOTICE
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System). [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved)
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer 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.
PARTS INFORMATION
NOTICE
An initial supply of parts required to complete this campaign will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. This pre-shipment will occur the week of April 28, 1997. Pre-shipped parts will be charged to dealer's open parts account.
Additional parts, if required, are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your 'involved vehicles listing" prior to ordering requirements. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. An emergency requirement should be ordered on a CSO Customer Special Order.
Part Quantity/ Number Description Vehicle 88880003 Cover-Underhood Fuse Center 1
Note: P/N 22638505 is molded into the inner surface of the cover.
NOTICE
Due to the small number of vehicles involved and due to limited initial parts availability, dealers are encouraged me to order campaign parts for use as shelf stock. Parts should only be ordered when inspection determines that it is necessary to install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the appropriate divisional customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has. been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Inspect underhood fuse center for presence of protective cover. See illust tration. The protective cover has a rounded top surface and covers the positive terminal bolt. There may be a fuse retainer on the fuse center that is flat on the top surface and does mffl cover the positive terminal bolt (see illustration).
NOTICE:
This fuse retainer is used to keep fuses in place during packaging, shipping, and installation of the fuse block and harness assembly. This fuse retainer is not required after the fuse block is installed in the vehicle. The fuse ' protective cover (rounded tgm surface).LS required even if the fuse retainer cover (flat top surface) is present,
2. If the protective cover (rounded top surface) is present, proceed to step 3 of this service procedure. If the protective cover is not present, install P/N 88880003 protective cover to the underhood fuse center. Make sure that the cover is properly positioned and that the cover retaining tabs are engaged.
IMPORTANT:
The protective cover (rounded top surface) must be installed even if the fuse retainer (flat top surface) is present.
3. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Produ ampaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label". Each lab provides a space to include the campaign number and 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 by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from VISPAC Incorporated by calling 1-800-269-5100 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.
Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:
REPAIR *PART FAILED PARTS LABOR LABOR PERFORMED COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC 0P HOURS --------------- ----- -------- ----- ----- ----- ------ Inspect only for N/A N/A N/A MA-96 V0032 0.2 hr. presence of protective fuse cover. Inspect for 1 88880003 ** MA-96 V0033 0.2 hr. presence of && install protective fuse cover.
For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours".
The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 40% for fuse center protective cover needed to complete the repair.
Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.
April, 1997
Dear <Division(s)> Customer:
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 decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1997 Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The protective cover for the underhood fuse center may have been omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed, and may come in contact with the insulated negative battery cable. Prolonged contact between the positive terminal bolt and the negative battery cable may ca'use abrasion of the insulation on the negative cable. If the insulation on the negative cable becomes sufficiently worn, an electrical short circuit between the positive terminal and the negative cable could be created, resulting in extremely high current flow. This current flow could cause arcing and result in an underhood fire.
What Will Be Done: To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to check for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center. This service will be performed for you at no charge. How Long Will The Repair
How Long Will The Repair Take? The length of time required to perform this inspection and service correction is approximately 20 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If your dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed.
Contacting Your Dealer: Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Parts are available and instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process and repair your vehicle. Your <Division> dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at the listed number below:
Deaf, Hearing Impaired Division Number or Speech Impaired Buick 1-800-521-7300 1-800-832-8425 Pontiac 1-800-762-2737 1-800-833-7668 Oldsmobile 1-800-442-6537 1-800-833-6537
Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones (TDD/TTY)
If, after contacting the appropriate customer assistance center, 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 202-366-0123).
Customer Reply Card: The enclosed customer reply card identifies your vehicle. FTesentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paicf 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.
<Division(s)> GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Enclosure
** CANADIAN VERSION **
PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN
SUBJECT: CAMPAIGN 97018 - UNDERHOOD FUSE BLOCK COVER -------------------------------------------
MODELS: 1997 BUICK SKYLARK, OLDSMOBILLE ACHIEVA AND PONTIAC GRAND AM ------------------------------------------------------------
DEFECT INVOLVED
General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle.safety exists in certain 1997 Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The protective cover for the underhood fuse centre may have been omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed; and may come in contact with the insulated negative battery cable. Prolonged contact between the positive terminal bolt and the negative battery cable may cause abrasion of the insulation on the negative cable. If the insulation on the negative cable becomes sufficiently wom, an electrical short circuit between the positive terminal and the negative cable could be created, resulting in extremely high current flow. This current flow could cause arcing and result in an underhood fire.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to check for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse centre.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1997 Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles built within the following VTN breakpoints:
YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- ----------- -------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- 1997 Pontiac Grand Am Lansing "C" VC769624 VC776486 1997 Pontiac Grand Am Lansing "M" VM535775 VM537040 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Lansing "M" VM320121 VM321544 1997 Buick SKYLARK Lansing "C" VC428045 VC428760
NOTE:
PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 445 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WELL BE PAID.
involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number customer narne and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the carmpaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
PARTS INFORMATION
An initial supply of parts required to complete this campaign will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. This pre-shipment will occur the week of April 28, 1997. Pre-shipped parts will be charged to dealer's open parts account.
Additional parts, if required, are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing It prior to ordering requirements. Quantity/ Part Number Description Vehicle ---------- ------------------------------------------------- 88880003 Underhood Fuse Centre Cover 1
NOTE:
P/N 22638505 is moulded into thi@i'nner surface of the cover.
NOTICE:
Due to the small number of vehicles involved and due to limited initial parts availability, dealers are encouraged not to order campaign parts for use as shelf stock Parts should only be ordered when inspection determines that it is necessary to install a protective cover to the underhood fuse centre.
CUSTOMER NOTTFICATION
All customers of record at the time of carnpaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this buuetin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the appropriate customer letter accompanying this bulletin.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
I. Inspect underhood fuse centre for presence of protective cover. See illustration. The protective cover has a rounded top surface and covers the positive terminal bolt. There may be a fuse retainer on the fuse centre that is flat on the top surface and does not cover the positive terminal bolt (see illustration).
NOTICE:
This fuse retainer is used to keep fuses in place during packaging, shipping, and installation of the fuse block and harness assembly. This fuse retainer is not required after the fuse block is installed in the vehicle. The fuse block protective cover (rounded top surface) IS required even if the fuse retainer cover (flat top surface) is present.
2. If the protective cover (rounded top surface) is present, proceed to step 3 of this service procedure.
If the protective cover is not present, install P/N 88880003 protective cover to the underhood fuse centre. Make sure that the cover is properly positioned and that the cover retaining tabs are engaged
IMPORTANT:
THE PROTECTIVE COVER (ROUNDED TOP SURFACE) MUST BE INSTALLED EVEN IF THE FUSE RETAINER (FLAT TOP SURFACE) IS PRESENT.
3. 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 campaign number and 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 by the customer for periodic servicing. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering. Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:
REPAIR PERFORMED PART FAILED PARTS LABOUR LABOUR COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC 0P HOURS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspect only for presence of -- -- -- MA-96 V0032 0.2 protective se cover. Inspect for presence of and 1 88880003 ** MA-96 V0033 0.2 install protective fuse cover.
* For Campaign Admiministration Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labour Hours"
**The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 40% for fuse centre protective cover needed to complete the repair.
Refer to the General Motors Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Carnpaign Claim Submission.
April 1997 Dear General Motors Customer:
General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety e)dsts in certain 1997 Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The protective cover for the underhood fuse centre may have been omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed, and may come in contact with the insulated negative battery cable. Prolonged contart between the positive terminal bolt and the negative battery cable may cause abrasion of the insulation on the negative cable. If the insulation on the negative cable becomes sufficiently worn, an electrical short circuit between the positive terminal and the negative cable could be created, resulting in extremely high current flow. This current flow could cause arcing and result in an underhood fire.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your GM Dealer will check for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse centre. This service wiU be provided for you at no charge.
Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availabdity. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.
This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary coffection to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited
97018
JL:il
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.
