Product Safety - Non-Crash Deployment of Side Impact Air Bags

DUE TO AVAILABILITY OF PARTS, CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN IS BEING ADMINISTERED IN PHASES. PHASE 2 WAS MAILED ON JUNE 1, 2001. THE DEALER LISTING AND OWNER LETTERS FOR PHASE 3 ARE BEING MAILED JUNE 26, 2001. ADDITIONAL PHASES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS THEY ARE LAUNCHED.

Dealers are no longer required to contact the General Motors Customer Assistance Center to obtain parts for this recall. However, initial campaign parts availability is extremely limited and dealers should not order parts for shelf stock.

Customer notification for this campaign will be administered in phases. Dealers will receive a Dealer Listing for involved vehicles included in the third phase. A new Dealer Listing of involved vehicles included in each subsequent phase will be sent to you as the letter mailing is completed. Any dealer not receiving a Dealer Listing has no involved vehicles assigned to that phase.

As each customer notification phase is completed and dealers receive their new Dealer Listing, we are requesting that dealers only order parts for those involved vehicles contained in that Dealer Listing.

Additionally, in order to encourage responsible parts ordering, General Motors Service Parts Operations has placed an order quantity limiter on Part Number 25729097 and removed it from the automatic SPRINT process.

It is imperative that campaign parts are readily available for each customer as they receive their notification letter. Therefore, this strategy has been implemented to ensure the equitable distribution of these parts and avoid customer dissatisfactio. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1997 and all 1998-1999 model year Cadillac DeVille model vehicles. The side impact air bags may deploy unexpectedly, without a crash, as the vehicle is started or during normal driving.

A driver or right front passenger in the proper driving or seating positions and using safety belts could receive minor injuries, such as bruising, from contact with a deploying side impact air bag. However, a driver or right front passenger that is too close to an inflating air bag could receive more serious injuries.

Dealers are to replace the driver and passenger side impact sensing modules. On vehicles that have had the side air bags temporarily disconnected, the temporary disconnect must be removed before replacing the side impact sensing modules (for U.S. see GM Administrative Message WIA20000141 and WIA20000142, transmitted December 13, 2000, and for Canada see e-mail transmitted November 8, 2000).

Involved are certain 1997-99 Cadillac DeVille model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

1997 : Only vehicles that have had side impact sensing modules replaced with P/N 16258656 or 09356956.

1998-99 : All vehicles EXCEPT those that have had side impact sensing modules replaced with P/N 25729097 module.

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC Only) before beginning campaign repairs. [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 Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.

Important: Due to extremely limited parts availability, dealers should not order campaign parts for shelf stock. Parts should only be ordered when a service appointment has been scheduled for an involved vehicle.

For additional information, refer to the SIR sub-section in the Restraints section and the Doors sub-section in the Body and Accessories section in the appropriate Service Manual.

Important: Some vehicles may have had their side impact air bags temporarily disconnected prior to coming in for this campaign. Those vehicles can be easily identified by a label located in the driver's door opening, directly below the door latch striker. When performing this campaign on those vehicles, it will be necessary for you to remove the temporary disconnect connector from both side impact air bags and some electrical tape that secures the connectors to the wiring harnesses. You will also have to remove the label from the door opening. Those "special" steps will be identified.

1. Disable the SIR system.

1.1.	Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and remove the key.

1.2.	Remove the SIR fuse from the rear compartment fuse panel.

1.3.	Remove the driver's side instrument panel insulator panel.

1.4.	Remove the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) from the steering column air bag connector and disconnect the connector.

1.5.	Remove the passenger side instrument panel insulator panel.

1.6.	Remove the CPA from the passenger side air bag connector and disconnect the connector.

1.7.	Remove the driver's door handle bezel and disconnect the electrical connector.

1.8.	Remove the driver's door switch plate.

1.9.	Remove the driver's door courtesy light and disconnect the electrical connector.

Important: When removing the door trim panels in the next steps, care should be taken to avoid damaging the push-in fastener in the upper front corner of the panel.

1.10.

Release the push-in fastener in the upper front corner of the panel and then slide the trim panel upward to release it from the door. Disconnect the speaker electrical connector.

1.11.

On vehicles WITH the temporary disconnect installed, remove the electrical tape that attaches the temporary disconnect connector to the air bag module wiring harness. Remove the CPA from the driver's door air bag module connector and remove the temporary disconnect connector. The temporary disconnect is a yellow 2-way female connector with a short loop of wire and a resistor wrapped in electrical tape. Discard the temporary disconnect connector.

1.12.

On vehicles WITHOUT the temporary disconnect installed, remove the CPA from the driver's door air bag module connector and disconnect the connector.

1.13.

Remove the passenger door handle bezel and disconnect the electrical connector.

1.14.

Remove the passenger door switch plate.

1.15.

Remove the passenger door courtesy light and disconnect the electrical connector.

1.16.

Release the push-in fastener in the upper front corner of the panel and then slide the trim panel upward to release it from the door. Disconnect the speaker electrical connector.

1.17.

On vehicles WITH the temporary disconnect installed, remove the electrical tape that attaches the temporary disconnect connector to the air bag module wiring harness. Remove the CPA from the passenger door air bag module connector and remove the temporary disconnect connector. The temporary disconnect is a yellow 2-way female connector with a short loop of wire and a resistor wrapped in electrical tape. Discard the temporary disconnect connector.

1.18.

On vehicles WITHOUT the temporary disconnect installed, remove the CPA from the passenger door air bag module connector and disconnect the connector.

2. On the passenger door, remove the CPA and disconnect the electrical connector from the Side Impact Sensing Module (SISM).
3. Remove the fasteners attaching the SISM to the door panel and remove the SISM.
4. Install a new SISM to the door panel and install the fasteners.

Tighten
Tighten the fasteners to 9 N·m (80 lb in).

5. Connect the electrical connector to the SISM and install the CPA.
6. On the driver's door, remove the CPA and disconnect the electrical connector from the Side Impact Sensing Module (SISM).
7. Remove the fasteners attaching the SISM to the door panel and remove the SISM.
8. Install a new SISM to the door panel and install the fasteners.

Tighten
Tighten the fasteners to 9 N·m (80 lb in).

9. Connect the electrical connector to the SISM and install the CPA.
10. Enable the SIR system.

10.1.

On vehicles that DID have the temporary disconnect installed, remove any electrical tape that may be remaining on the driver's door air bag module electrical connector.

10.2.

Connect the driver's door air bag module connector to the electrical connector going to the SISM and install the CPA.

10.3.

Connect the electrical connector for the driver's door speaker and install the door trim panel.

10.4.

Connect the electrical connector for the driver's door courtesy light and install the courtesy light.

10.5.

Install the driver's door switch plate.

10.6.

Connect the electrical connector for the driver's door handle bezel and install the bezel.

10.7.

On vehicles that DID have the temporary disconnect installed, remove any electrical tape that may be remaining on the passenger door air bag module electrical connector.

10.8.

Connect the passenger door air bag module connector to the electrical connector going to the SISM and install the CPA.

10.9.

Connect the electrical connector for the passenger door speaker and install the door trim panel.

10.10.

Connect the electrical connector for the passenger door courtesy light and install the courtesy light.

10.11.

Install the passenger door switch plate.

10.12.

Connect the electrical connector for the passenger door handle bezel and install the bezel.

10.13.

Reconnect the passenger side air bag electrical connector and install the CPA. Install the passenger side instrument panel insulator panel.

10.14.

Reconnect the driver's side air bag electrical connector at the base of the steering column and install the CPA.

10.15.

Install the driver's side instrument panel insulator panel.

10.16.

Install the SIR fuse in the rear compartment fuse panel.

11. Insert the key and turn the ignition switch to the ON position and verify that the AIR BAG light flashes seven (7) times and goes out.
12. On vehicles that DID have the temporary disconnect installed, remove the temporary disconnect label from the driver's door opening.
13. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

FOR US AND IPC

Place a Campaign Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin. 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.

Put the Campaign Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Material by calling 1-888-549-6152 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Additional Campaign Identification Labels for IPC dealers can be obtained from your Regional Marketing Office.

FOR CANADA

Place a Campaign Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin. 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.

Put the Campaign Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

FOR US AND CANADA

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). Owners of 1998-99 model year vehicles have been previously informed about this safety issue in a letter mailed the week of September 25, 2000. For U.S., please refer to GM Administrative Message WIA20000108 transmitted September 25, 2000, and for Canada, please refer to e-mail transmitted September 20, 2000 for the text of this owner letter.

FOR IPC

Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the attached suggested dealer letter. Please refer to the DCS sent on September 20, 2000 for the text of this owner letter.

FOR US AND IPC (US States, Territories, and Possessions)

The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act 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 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. In the recall campaign notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the campaign is not completed within a reasonable time.

FOR ALL

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 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.

Dear General Motors Customer:

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

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1997 and all 1998-99 Cadillac DeVille model vehicles. The side impact air bags may deploy unexpectedly, without a crash, as the vehicle is started or during normal driving.

A driver or right front passenger in the proper driving or seating positions and using safety belts could receive minor injuries, such as bruising, from contact with a deploying side impact air bag. However, a driver or right front passenger that is too close to an inflating air bag could receive more serious injuries.

All 1998-99 models are included in this campaign, unless side air bag modules with part number 25729097 were installed after November 1, 2000. If the side air bags in your vehicle were disconnected temporarily, then your vehicle is included in this campaign.

The only 1997 models included in this campaign are vehicles that were serviced with certain replacement modules.

Your dealer will replace the driver and passenger side impact sensing modules. If your vehicle has had the side air bags disconnected, the temporary disconnect will be removed before replacing the side impact sensing modules. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

The length of time required to perform this inspection and service correction is approximately 55 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If you 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 to schedule, process and repair your vehicle.

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.

Your 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 Center at the number listed below:

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 SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-888-327-4236.

The attached customer 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 no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the attached and mailing it in the postage paid envelope.

Your dealer will provide you with shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation while your vehicle is at the dealership for this repair. Please refer to your Owner's Manual and your dealer for details on Courtesy Transportation.

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 Corporation

Enclosure