CAMPAIGN: INCORRECT TRANS DIPSTICK TUBE LENGTH. Chevrolet Astro

SUBJECT: INCORRECT LENGTH DIPSTICK TUBE

MODELS: 1992 CHEVROLET ASTRO/GMC SAFARI VANS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (Rear Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive)

General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that certain 1992 Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari Vans (Rear Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive) were built with the transmission dipstick tube assembly shorter than engineering print specifications. This condition could cause a properly filled transmission to indicate an overfilled reading on the dipstick. If the transmission were to be filled to the operating range indicated on the dipstick, transmission slippage (primarily when the transmission fluid is cold) and shortened transmission life may occur. All of the transmissions were properly filled in production except for a one month period when they were filled to the operating range on the dipstick.

To correct these conditions, a new dipstick which matches the existing tube length will be sent to all owners of record. Additionally, those owners with underfilled transmissions will be asked to return to their dealership to have the transmission fluid level inspected and adjusted as necessary.

VEHICLES INVOLVED:

Involved are certain 1992 Chevrolet and GMC M & L Vans (Rear Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive) were built within the following VIN breakpoints:

* * * VEHICLES REQUIRING NEW DIPSTICK * * * -------------------------------

Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through ---- ----- ----- ---------- ---- ------- 1992 M/L- Chev Baltimore "B" NB100001 NB151054 1992 M/L- Chev Baltimore "B" NB165703 NB185411 1992 M/L- GMC Baltimore "B" NB516779 NB530628 1992 M/L- GMC Baltimore "B" NB521563 NB530628

NOTICE: A listing of owner names and addresses will NOT be furnished to the involved dealers for vehicles only requiring a new dipstick. A listing of vehicles in inventory (stock units) will be sent to all involved dealers with the campaign bulletin.

Certain vehicles built between the following VIN breakpoints will also need to have the transmission fluid level inspected and adjusted (see Notice below) if necessary:

* * * VEHICLES REQUIRING NEW DIPSTICK & TRANS. FLUID * * * ---------------------------------------------- LEVEL INSPECTION ----------------

Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through ---- ----- ----- ---------- ---- ------- 1992 M/L- Chev Baltimore "B" NB151055 NB165702 1992 M/L- GMC Baltimore "B" NB516778 NB521562

The specific vehicles involved in this portion of the campaign have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. These listings are furnished to all involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Retain this listing, as these vehicles WILL NOT appear on future follow-up listings.

NOTICE: Due to the mailing schedule of dipsticks to owners, dealers are NOT to follow up with these owners until after September 30, 1992.

The Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings being provided are to enable dealers to follow up with owners involved in this campaign (after September 30, 1922).

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:

Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).

PARTS INFORMATION:

A new transmission fluid level indicator and installation instructions will be mailed to owners of record by General Motors on a no-charge basis.

NOTE: General Motors has asked the owners to deliver any unneeded dipsticks to their nearest dealer rather than discard them. Dealers may use as a service part or if they are not required by the dealer's Parts Department, they should be recycled. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN TO GENERAL MOTORS.

The parts required to complete this campaign for vehicles in your inventory (stock units) should be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO).

Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle ----------- ----------- ---------------- 15957331 Indicator, Transmission Fluid Level 1 (MD8 w/LB4)

15957332 Indicator, Transmission Fluid Level 1 (MD8 w/L35)

12345881 Dexron IIE Automatic Trans. Fluid 1/2 Litre

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 Trans. Dipstick Level Indicator - .3 No Further Action - Customer Provided Dipstick

3A Install Trans. Dipstick Level Indicator - .3 No Further Action - Dealer Ordered Dipstick

4A Install Trans. Dipstick Level Indicator and .3 Add Trans. Fluid as Necessary - Customer Provided Dipstick

5A Install Trans. Dipstick Level Indicator and .3 Add Trans. Fluid as Necessary - Dealer Ordered Dipstick

Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Repair Codes 4A and 5A include $1.42 for transmission fluid. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 30% to cover parts handling.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

NEW TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK INSTALLATION

1. Remove old transmission dipstick.

2. Install new transmission dipstick.

NOTICE: Note on repair order how dipstick was obtained (customer provided or ordered by dealer).

TRANSMISSION FLUID INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENT (If Required - See "Vehicles Involved" Section) ----------------------------------------------- 1. Check transmission fluid level using procedures outlined in Section 7A-3 "Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure" of the 1992 Chevrolet Astro Van Service Manual (ST372-92) or of the 1992 GMC Safari Service Manual (X-9230).

2. Add Dexron IIE automatic transmission fluid until proper fluid level is obtained. Approximately 1/2 litre of transmission fluid may be needed to bring fluid up to proper level.

3. 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.

COPY OF CUSTOMER LETTER

General Motors of Canada Limited August 1992

Dear General Motors Customer,

To correct the above condition, a new dipstick which matches the existing tube length has been mailed to you with this letter along with installation instructions. If you desire, your General Motors dealer will install the dipstick for you at no charge.

All of the transmissions were properly filled in production except for a one month period when they were filled to the operating range on the dipstick. This one month production of vehicles may require addition of fluid after installation of the new dipstick. If your vehicle is a Chevrolet and the last six (6) characters of your Vehicle Identification Number fall between 151055 and 165702 or if your vehicle is a GMC and the last six (6) characters of the Vehicle Identification Number fall between 516778 and 521562, please make an appointment with your General Motors dealer to have your transmission fluid level checked and, if necessary, bring it up to the proper level. This service will be provided for you at no charge.

If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please forward the dipstick to the new owner. If this is not convenient to you, please deliver the dipstick to your nearest GM dealer. DO NOT RETURN TO GENERAL MOTORS.

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

Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited

2N 15 JL:il

INSTALLATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK

1. LOCATE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) PLATE. It appears in the front corner of the instrument panel on the driver's side. The VIN plate can be seen if you look through the windshield from the outside of the vehicle. The eighth character (from the left) is your engine code. THIS CHARACTER WILL BE A "Z" OR "W".

2. Open your vehicle's hood.

NOTICE: Use the prop rod to support the hood in the open position.

3. Locate the transmission fluid level dipstick which is near the front of the engine compartment wall. The dipstick has a black T-shaped handle marked "TRANS FLUID".

Figure 1 shows the location of the dipstick if the 8th character of your VIN is a "Z".

Figure 2 shows the location of the dipstick if the 8th character of your VIN is a "W".

4. Remove the old dipstick from the fill tube and dispose of it.

NOTICE: DISCARD THE DIPSTICK IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

5. Insert the new dipstick all of the way into the transmission fill tube.

6. Close the vehicle's hood.

7. If your vehicle is a Chevrolet and the last six (6) characters of your vehicle fall between 151055 and 165702 or if your vehicle is a GMC and the last characters fall between 516778 and 521562, please make an appointment with your GM dealer to have your transmission fluid level checked. This service will be performed at no charge, including any additional transmission fluid which may be added.

Object Number: 90568 Size: MF

Object Number: 91285 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.