CAMPAIGN: TRANS SHIFT CONTROL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT

Models: 1990 Buick Riviera and Reatta; 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado and Trofeo; 1990 Cadillac Eldorado and Seville

General Motors of Canada has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990 Buick Rivieras & Reattas, Oldsmobile Toronados and Trofeos and Cadillac Eldorados and Sevilles. The transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the floor shift control assembly resulting in loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation. The gear position indicated by the selector may differ from the actual gear position of the transaxle with the transaxle remaining in the position last selected prior to cable disengagement.

If this occurs, a number of possible conditions can exist. Unless the transaxle is actually in the park or neutral position, the engine cannot be started. If the driver places the gear shift selector in the park position without setting the parking brake, the transaxle may not actually be in the park position and the vehicle may move if it is on an inclined surface. Also, if the driver places the gear shift selector in a drive or the reverse position without turning off the engine, the transaxle may not be in the position indicated and the vehicle may move in the opposite direction. In either case, unexpected vehicle movement could result in an accident without prior warning. To correct this condition, dealers will install a transmission shift control cable retaining clip on suspect vehicles as per the Vehicles Involved and Service Procedure sections of this bulletin.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are all 1990 Buick Rivieras and Reattas, Oldsmobile Toronados and Trofeos, Cadillac Eldorados and Sevilles model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Year Model Plant From Through and Including ---- ------- -------- --------- ------------------ 1990 Riviera Hamtramck LU400001 LU415925 1990 Reatta Reatta Craft Centre LB900001 LB905060 1990 Toronado Hamtramck LU300001 LU311584 1990 Eldorado Hamtramck LU600001 LU616368 1990 Seville Hamtramck LU800001 LU818283

All affected vehicles have been identified by the VIN listing provided to involved dealers with this bulletin. Any dealer not receiving a listing was not shipped any of the affected vehicles.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY:

Dealers are to perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometres traveled, 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, you are to ensure the campaign correction has been made before selling 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.

CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:

Refer to Section 4 of the Service Policies and Procedures Manual for the detailed procedure on handling Product Campaigns. Dealers are requested to complete the campaign on all transfers as soon as possible.

OWNER NOTIFICATION:

All owners of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors. The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.

PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle ----------- -------------------- --------------- 3526540 Transmission Shift Control 1 Cable Retaining Clip

PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:

Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card, or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:

Repair Code Description Time Allowance ----------- ---------------------- -------------- 2A Install Transmission Shift Control .4 Cable Retaining Clip

Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 30% to cover parts handling.

SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR CADILLAC ELDORADO AND SEVILLE:

1. Set parking brake.

2. Remove shifter handle (see Figure 1).

3. Remove driver's information centre faceplate cover.

4. Remove Console compartment liner and ashtray.

5. Remove upper console assembly (see Figure 2).

6. Make sure transaxle shift control cable is properly seated (cable closest to driver's side). Fully insert transaxle shift control cable retaining clip between the shift cable body and cable retaining tabs (see Figures 3 and 4). This will force the tabs outboard so that the cable is firmly locked to the shifter base.

7. Reverse Steps 1 through 5 to assemble.

8. Install Campaign Completion Label.

SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR OLDSMOBILE TORONADO AND TROFEO

1. Set parking brake. 2. Remove console compartment retaining screws and compartment (See Figure 1). 3. Gently pry off CD player trim plate (if so equipped). 4. Remove console trim plate. It is not necessary to remove the shifter knob. 5. Ensure that the Transaxle Shift Control Cable is seated properly in the "keyhole" in the sheet metal base of the shifter assembly (cable closest to driver's side). Fully insert Transaxle Shift Control Cable Retaining Clip between the shift cable body and the cable retaining tabs (Figures 2 & 3). This will force the tabs outboard so that the cable is firmly locked to the shifter base. 6. Reverse Steps 1 through 4 to assemble. 7. Install Campaign Identification Label.

SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR BUICK RIVIERA/REATTA ------------------------------------------ 1. Set parking brake. 2. Remove shift console ashtray and Phillips screw (1) underneath (See Figure 1). 3. Remove tape holder and console compartment liner under arm rest. 4. Remove two (2) Phillips screws under console compartment liner (See Figure 1). 5. Remove outer console trim plate (See Figure 1). 6. Remove inner console trim plate mounting screws (2) and plate. 7. Make sure transaxle shift control cable is properly seated (cable closest to driver's side). Fully insert transaxle control cable Retaining clip between the shift cable body and cable retaining tabs (Figures 2 and 3). This will force the tabs outward so that the cable is firmly locked to the shifter base . 8. Reverse Steps 1 through 6 to assemble. 9. Install Campaign Identification Label.

INSTALLATION OF CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Clean surface of radiator upper mounting panel and apply a Campaign Identification Label. Make sure the correct campaign number is inserted on the label. This will indicate that the campaign has been completed

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors of Canada has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990 Cadillac Eldorados and Sevilles, Oldsmobile Toronados and Trofeos and Buick Rivieras and Reattas. The transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the floor shift control resulting in loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation. The gear position indicated by the selector may differ from the actual gear position of the transaxle with the transaxle remaining in the position last selected prior to cable disengagement.

If this occurs, a number of possible conditions can exist. Unless the transaxle is actually in the park or neutral position, the engine cannot be started. If the driver places the gear shift selector in the park position without setting the parking brake, the transaxle may not actually be in the park position and the vehicle may move if it is on an inclined surface. Also, if the driver places the gear shift selector in a drive or the reverse position without turning off the engine, the transaxle may not be in the position indicated and the vehicle may move in the opposite direction. In either case, unexpected vehicle movement could result in an accident without prior warning.

To correct this condition, your dealer will install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip on your vehicle. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

Until you have had the opportunity to have your dealer correct this condition, we recommend that the parking brake always be firmly applied when the vehicle is parked. Also, when changing gear selection from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, always firmly apply the brake pedal until the actual gear position of the transaxle (direction) is confirmed.

Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shonest possible time.

Further assistance, if required, may be obtained from our Customer Assistance Centre, toll free, by calling 1-800-263-3777, or if you live in Quebec, 1-800-263-7854.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your 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.