MODEL: CERTAIN 1994 FLEETWOODS
General Motors has determined that certain 1994 model Fleetwoods may have the transmission shift linkage improperly adjusted. This mis-adjustment may allow transmission fluid to leak into an incorrect hydraulic circuit while the vehicle is being operated. Continued operation with hydraulic pressure in the wrong circuit could lead to a burnt low/reverse clutch which would make the transmission inoperative in reverse.
To correct this condition, dealers are to inspect the transmission fluid for signs of heat (burned fluid) and properly adjust the transmission shift linkage on all affected vehicles as per the Service Procedure section of this bulletin. However, if the transmission fluid shows signs of excessive heat, a replacement transmission should be installed.
All 1994 model Fleetwoods within the following VIN range require this campaign:
From RR700001 Through and Including RR710577
All vehicles indicated on your Dealer List require this campaign; other suspect vehicles should be checked for campaign involvement prior to sale or service utilizing the Vehicle Information Service System (VISS).
A list of involved vehicles, which our records indicate were sold by or shipped to you, is enclosed for your follow-up. This list contains owner names, addresses and telephone numbers obtained from Cadillac delivery records. Dealers are to contact the owners of the vehicles indicated on their list and arrange for the campaign correction to be performed as soon as possible. If no list is enclosed, none of the involved vehicles are known to be in your area at this time.
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 owners take possession of these vehicles.
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.
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 the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner 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.
Owners of vehicles affected by this campaign will be notified by letter from Cadillac Motor Car Division. A copy of the owner letter is attached.
The availability of courtesy transportation to owners of vehicles involved in this campaign is of the utmost importance in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to take the steps necessary to ensure that these owners clearly understand that courtesy transportation is available and will be provided upon request at no charge to the owner.
To support dealer efforts in this regard, Cadillac has made specific adjustments to allow payment of courtesy transportation claims related to the completion of this campaign even though the labor time involved may be less than two (2) hours. Dealers should submit such claims in the normal manner and appropriate credit will be issued.
In most instances, parts will not be required to complete this campaign. However, if transmission fluid shows signs of excessive heat, a replacement transmission will be required and should be obtained from the Parts Distribution Centers of General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). These parts should be ordered on a "CIO" order using advise code "2" with no special instruction code.
All vehicles involved in this recall campaign must have the transmission shift linkage re-adjusted using the following revised service procedure.
1. Inspect the transmission fluid for signs of excessive heat (burnt smell and/or color changed to brown). If transmission fluid is burnt, replace the complete transmission before adjusting the linkage. If the fluid is not burnt or discolored, use Steps 2 through 7 to properly adjust the linkage.
2. Place the steering column shift lever in the "neutral" position.
3. Loosen the bolt which clamps the shift rod to the shift lever at the side of the transmission under the vehicle.
4. Hang or attach a 3 pound weight on the shift lever at the steering column to bias the linkage toward the "OD" (overdrive) position. Note that Kent-Moore tool J8092 (Driver Handle) weighs approximately 3 pounds and may be a possible choice.
5. Verify that the transmission is still in "neutral".
6. Re-tighten the bolts to 28 N.m (21 lb. ft.).
7. Remove weight and verify shift linkage and steering column range selector for proper operation.
8. Install Campaign Completion Label.
Upon completion of this campaign, a Campaign Completion Label (CAT. NO. S-1015) should be affixed on a clean, dry surface of the radiator core support in an area clearly visible when the hood is raised. Each label provides space to print in ink (or type) campaign number 94-C-3 and your five-digit Cadillac dealer code. Dealers are to take the steps necessary to ensure that these numbers are recorded and the label is properly affixed.
Credit for this campaign will be issued upon receipt of a properly prepared warranty claim which includes the following information:
Failure Failed Part Parts Labor Labor Code Part No. Quant. Allow. Oper. Hrs. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Inspect Transmission Fluid and Adjust Linkage
96 --- --- --- V8540 0.4*
Inspect Transmission Fluid, Replace Transmission and Adjust Linkage
96 ** *** **** V8541 4.1*
* This labor time represents the actual time required to perform the correction. Dealers should apply for 0.1 additional hour for Campaign Administrative Allowance as "Other Labor Hours".
** Use appropriate GMSPO part number.
*** Use actual part count for one transmission, plus fluid required.
**** The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO dealer net price plus 40% of all parts required for this repair.
Dear 1994 Model Cadillac Owner:
As the owner of a 1994 model Cadillac Fleetwood, providing you with outstanding service that exceeds your expectations is of the utmost concern to us. This letter is intended to make you aware of a product condition that may affect your vehicle and of the action we are taking to correct this potential problem before it occurs.
General Motors has determined that certain 1994 model Fleetwoods may have the transmission shift linkage improperly adjusted. This mis-adjustment may allow transmission fluid to leak into an incorrect hydraulic circuit while the vehicle is being operated. Continued operation with hydraulic pressure in the wrong circuit could lead to a burnt low/reverse clutch which would make the transmission inoperative in reverse.
To correct this condition, your Cadillac dealer will inspect the transmission fluid in your vehicle for signs of heat (burned fluid) and properly adjust the transmission shift linkage at no cost to you.
The mailing of this letter has been coordinated to ensure that instructions for making this repair have been received by your dealer and that needed parts are available for your car. Please contact your Cadillac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service appointment and courtesy transportation, if required. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time is needed to perform this repair and process your vehicle.
The enclosed Campaign Owner Identification Card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary corrections in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing this postage-paid reply card and returning it to us.
We are sorry to cause you any inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued enjoyment and satisfaction with our products. If you have any questions, please contact your Cadillac dealer or call our Consumer Relations Center at 1- 800-458-8006.
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.