CAMPAIGN: A/C COMPRESSOR AND CONDENSER HOSE INTERFERENCE. Chevrolet Astro

Models: 1989 M-Vans with Air Conditioning and 4.3L V6 Engines (RPO LB4)

General Motors of Canada has determined that certain 1989 M-Vans 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 1989 M-Vans built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Model Year Make Plant From Through ---------- ---- ----- ---- ------- 1989 CHEV Baltimore KB130154 KB132553 1989 GMC Baltimore KB507819 KB508474

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 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 inventory, or it is in your Dealership for service in the future, you should take the 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 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:

Parts required to complete this campaign should be ordered through regular channels, as follows:

Quantity/ Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- ----------- --------- 15571272 A/C Compressor & Condenser Hose 1 Assembly for vehicles equipped with Front A/C Only (RPO C60)

15571273 A/C Compressor & Condenser Hose 1 Assembly for vehicles equipped with Front and Rear A/C (RPO C69)

PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:

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

Repair Code Description Time Allowance ----------- ----------- --------------- 2A Inspect A/C Hose Assembly .5 for Clearance and Relocate as necessary.

3A Inspect A/C Hose Assembly 1.3 for Clearance and Relocate. - With Front A/C Only (RPO C60). An allowance of $8.00 is included for FREON.

4A Inspect A/C Hose Assembly 1.3 for Clearance, Replace and Relocate. - With Front & Rear A/C (RPO C69). An allowance of $11.00 is included for FREON.

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:

- Disconnect positive battery lead.

- Remove the engine cover and extension housing.

- Inspect the A/C compressor and condenser hose assembly to ensure it does NOT contact the protruding battery connection stud/rubber boot on the back of the generator, and has a minimum of 1.3 mm clearance. Other possible contact points are the engine lift bracket, the brake vacuum booster, the upper radiator hose or cowling (Figure 1).

If the hose assembly is touching any of these areas, determine if it needs to be relocated or replaced due to wear contact.

If the hose assembly needs relocating, carefully move/pull it away from the interference contact point.

If the hose assembly is damaged due to wear contact, perform the following replacement procedures:

1. Evacuate the A/C system. Refer to the 1989 Light Duty Truck Service Manual, Air Conditioning Section-lB Evacuating and Charging Procedures.

2. Remove the A/C accumulator suction hose, discharge hose, and the A/C compressor and condenser hose assembly.

3. 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).

4. Inspect the A/C compressor and condenser hose assembly for adequate clearances as described above and relocate as necessary (Figure 1).

5. Reinstall the discharge hose and A/C accumulator suction hose.

6. Install the engine cover.

7. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system.

8. Reconnect the positive battery lead.

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:

To correct this condition, it will be necessary 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 completed for you at no charge.

Instructions for performing this service have been sent to your General Motors Dealer. Please contact your Dealer to arrange a service date. The labour time necessary to perform the 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 process your vehicle.

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 shortest possible time.

Further assistance, if required, may be obtained from the General Motors Zone Office nearest you. Your vehicle Owner's Manual provides the location and phone number of each respective Zone Office.

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

Object Number: 88138 Size: MF

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.