CAMPAIGN: A/C COMPRESSOR AND CONDENSER HOSE INTERFERENCE
Model and Year: 1989 CHEVROLET ASTROS WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND 4.3L V6 ENGINES (RPO LB4)
General Motors has determined that 1989 Chevrolet Astros equipped with air conditioning (RPO C60/C69) and 4.3L V6 Engines (LB4) may have the high pressure A/C line (A/C compressor and condenser hose assembly) contacting the positive stud boot on the rear of the generator. If this line causes the stud to push through the boot and contact the line, arcing can occur, causing a hole in the line and total loss of A/C refrigerant. To correct this condition, it will be necessary to inspect the line for necessary clearances or damage. If no damage has occurred, the line will be relocated. If damage has occurred, a new A/C line must be installed and relocated. An estimated 10% of the vehicles involved will require a new A/C line and recharge.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1989 Chevrolet Astros built within the following VIN breakpoints:
MODEL/YEAR PLANT FROM THROUGH ---------- ----- ---- ------- 1989 Astro Baltimore KB130154 KB132553
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 involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.
These 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. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Chevrolet Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included with 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 inventor, or it is in your dealership for service in the future, you should take 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 correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operation (GMSPO). To ensure these parts will be obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMSPO on a "C.I.O." order with no special instruction code, but on an advise code (2) .
Quantity/ Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- ----------- --------
15571272 A/C Compressor & Condenser 1 Assembly for vehicles equipped with Front A/c only (RPO C60)
15571273 A/C Compressor & condenser 1 Hose Assembly for vehicles equipped with Front and Rear A/C (RPO C69)
*** NOTE: It is estimated that only 10% of the vehicles involved will require a new hose assembly. Order parts accordingly.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Disconnect positive battery lead.
2. Remove the engine cover and extension housing.
3. Inspect the A/C compressor and condenser hose assembly to insure it does NOT contact the protruding battery connection stud/rubber boot on the back of the generator, and has a minimum of 1/2" clearance. other possible contact points are the engine lift bracket, the brake vacuum booster, the upper radiator hose or cowling (Figure 1).
4. If the hose assembly is touching any of these areas, determine if it needs to be relocated or replaced due to wear contact.
5. If the hose assembly needs relocating, carefully move/pull it away from the interference contact point.
6. If the hose assembly is damaged due to wear contact, perform the following replacement procedures:
a. Evacuate the A/C system. Refer to the 1989 Light Duty Truck Service Manual, Air Conditioning section - 1B Evacuating and Charging Procedures.
b. Remove the A/C accumulator suction hose, discharge hose, and the A/C compressor and condenser hose assembly.
c. Replace the damaged hose assembly using P/N 15571272 for vehicles equipped with front A/C only (RPO C60) and P/N 15571273 for vehicles equipped with front and rear A/C (RPO C69).
d. Inspect the A/c compressor and condenser hose assembly for adequate clearances as described above and relocate as necessary (Figure 1) .
e. Reinstall the discharge hose and A/C accumulator suction hose.
f. Install the engine cover.
g. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system.
h. Reconnect the positive battery lead.
7. Install Campaign Identification Label.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this 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 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 for periodic servicing by the owner.
Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean dry surface.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:
* *** FAILED PARTS LABOR LAB OTH NET REPAIR PERFORMED PC PART NO. ALLOW FC OP HRS HRS AMT ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect A/C Hose Assy for Clearance -- --- -- 00 V4970 0.4 0.1 -- and Relocate as Necessary
Inspect A/C Hose 00 V4971 1.2 0.1 $6.64 Assy Replace and 1 15571272 ** Relocate w/Front A/C
Inspect A/C Hose Assy Replace and 1 15571273 ** 00 V4972 1.2 0.1 $11.06 Relocate w/Front and Rear A/C
* Campaign Administrative Allowance.
** The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 30% of all parts required for the repair.
*** The amount identified in the "Net Amount" column represents the cost plus 30% for the refrigerant used in conjuction with labor operations V4971 and V4972.
Dealers will automatically receive the correct labor and material allowance based on the labor operation performed.
Refer to the Chevrolet Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.
Dear Chevrolet Owner:
This notice is sent to inform you that Chevrolet Motor Division is conducting a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
General Motors has determined that 1989 Chevrolet Astros equipped with air conditioning (RPO C60/C69) and 4.3L V6 Engines (RPO LB4) may have the high pressure A/C line (A/C compressor and condenser hose assembly) contacting the positive stud boot on the rear of the generator. If this line causes the stud to push through the boot and contact the line, arcing can occur, causing a hole in the line and total loss of A/C refrigerant.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, it will be neceseary to inspect the line for necessary clearances or damage. If no damage has occurred, the line must be relocated as necessary. If damage has occurred, a new A/C line will be installed and relocated. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. The labor time necessary to perform this inspection and/or correction may vary from ten minutes to one hour, depending on the amount of service required for your vehicle. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary inspection/correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid 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 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.
