Product Emission - Ignition Coil Wire Arcing

*****The Canadian version of this recall follows this U.S. version.*****

General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Campaign involving certain 1996-98 C/K and M/L model vehicles equipped with 4.3L (L35) engines. some of these vehicles may have been built with the ignition coil wire (distributor to ignition coil) too close to metal brackets or transmission fluid fill tube (M/L van only). If the coil wire is too close to these metal objects, a condition of grounding out through the wire insulation and plastic conduit (arcing) may cause failure of the wires. Failure of the wires can lead to a stalling/no start condition and/or catalytic converter failure.

To correct this condition, dealers are to reposition the coil wire to assure clearance from metal brackets and/or transmission fluid fill tubes.

Involved are certain 1996-98 C/K and M/L model vehicles equippred with 4.3L (L35) engines and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) or ServiceNet (GMC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer 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.

Important: An initial supply of labels required to complete this campaign will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. The preshipment will consist of 30% of assigned vehicles.

The information notice labels to be used on the ignition coil wire conduit are to be obtained at no charge. Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by ordering on the web from the DWD Store, www.gmdealerworld.com, and the click on the DWD Store link. Be sure to request label P/N XX005528AA for campaign 98007. DO NOT ORDER THIS PART FROM GMSPO.

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

The vehicle may fail a state or local emission inspection test if the recall work is not completed.

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 customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer 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.

When a California emissions campaign is completed by a GM dealer, the dealer must provide the vehicle owner a "Proof Of Correction Certificate" which the owner may need to present to the California Department Of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when renewing their vehicle registration. Without this correction certificate, the owner may be unable to renew their vehicle registration.

Additional Certificates can be obtained, at no charge, from VISPAC, Incorporated by calling 1-800-269-5100, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time. Ask for GM Item Number 1825 when ordering.

1. Remove the ignition coil wire.
2. For C/K trucks: Reinstall the ignition coil wire by routing from the High Voltage Switch (distributor) UP and OVER the number 2, 4 and 6 spark plug wires, OVER the engine wiring harness and OVER the evaproative emission canister purge solenoid wiring harness and into the ignition coil.

For M/L vans: Reinstall the ignition coil wire by routing UP and OVER the number 2, 4 and 6 spark plug wires, UNDER the rear refrigerant line (if equipped with rear A/C), OVER the Sequential Central Port Injection (SCPI) wiring harness, OVER the transmission dipstick/fill tube and into the ignition coil.

Important: The objective of this rerouting is to keep the ignition coil wire from hard contact with any metal brackets or fill tubes.

3. Attach new Notice Label, P/N XX005528AA to the coil wire conduit in such a manner that the text can be read from both sides of the label.
4. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.
5. California dealers only, provide owner with a "Vehicle Emission Recall Proof of Correction" certificate.

Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label". Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and 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 by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Recall Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by ordering on the web from DWD Store, www.gmdealerworld.com, and then click on the DWD Store link. Request Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below.

Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

Dear <Divisions> Customer:

This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is conducting a voluntary emission recall campaign that includes your vehicle.

Certain 1996-98 C/K and M/L model vehicles equipped with 4.3L engines may have been built with the ignition coil wire (distributor to ignition coil) too close to metal brackets or transmission fluid fill tube (M/L van only). If the coil wire is too close to these metal objects, a condition of grounding out through the wire insulation and plastic conduit (arcing) may cause failure of the wires. Failure of the wires can lead to a stalling/no start condition and/or catalytic converter failure.

To correct this condition, dealers are to reposition the coil wire to assure clearance from metal brackets and/or transmission fluid fill tubes. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and to assure parts availability. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.

Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at the number listed below:

The enclosed customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

In order to ensure your full protection under the emission warranty made applicable to your vehicle by State or Federal Law, and your right to participate in future recalls, it is recommended that you have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. Failure to do so could legally be determined to be lack of proper maintenance of your vehicle.

Also, your vehicle may fail a state or local emission inspection if this recall is not accomplished.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires vehicle emission recall campaigns be completed prior to California registration renewal. Uncorrected emission recall campaigns will result in the inability to renew your California vehicle registration.

At the time of emission campaign completion, your California dealer will issue a "Proof Of Correction Certificate". Keep this certificate and, if required, present it to the Department of Motor Vehicles when renewing your California registration as proof of campaign completion.

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

<Division(s)>

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure

***************Canadian verion of product emission campaign 98007***********

1996-98 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Trucks and M/L Vans

with 4.3L Engines

General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that certain 1996-98 C/K and M/L model vehicles equipped with 4.3L (L35) engines fail to conform to Canad Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 1100, "Vehicle Emission." Some of these vehicles may have been built with the ignition coil wire (distributor to ignition coil) too close to metal brackets or transmission fluid fill tube (M/L van only). If the coil wire is too close to these metal objects, a condition of grounding out through the wire insulation and plastic conduit (arcing) may cause failure of the wires. Failure of the wires can lead to a stalling/no start condition and/or catalytic converter failure.

To correct this condition, dealers are to reposition the coil wire to assure clearance from metal brackets and/or transmission fluid fill tubes.

Involved are certain 1996-98 C/K and M/L model vehicles equippred with 4.3L (L35) engines and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Important: Please check DCS Screen 445 or your VIN listing before performing campaign to ensure that the vehicle is affected. Only affected VINs will be paid.

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from the Inter-Provincial 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.

The information notice labels (P/N XX005528AA) to be used on the ignition coil wire conduit, required to complete this campaign, will be mailed to involved dealers, along with this bulletin.

If additional labels are required, they are to be obtained from the Recall Department. Fax your request to 905-644-7846. Be sure to request label, item number 170-0-M-1043 for campaign 98007.

DO NOT ORDER THIS PART FROM GMSPO.

All customers 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 (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

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 customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer 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.

1. Remove the ignition coil wire.
2. For C/K trucks: Reinstall the ignition coil wire by routing from the High Voltage Switch (distributor) UP and OVER the number 2, 4 and 6 spark plug wires, OVER the engine wiring harness and OVER the evaproative emission canister purge solenoid wiring harness and into the ignition coil.

For M/L vans: Reinstall the ignition coil wire by routing UP and OVER the number 2, 4 and 6 spark plug wires, UNDER the rear refrigerant line (if equipped with rear A/C), OVER the Sequential Central Port Injection (SCPI) wiring harness, OVER the transmission dipstick/fill tube and into the ignition coil.

Important: The objective of this rerouting is to keep the ignition coil wire from hard contact with any metal brackets or fill tubes.

3. Attach new Notice Label, P/N XX005528AA to the coil wire conduit in such a manner that the text can be read from both sides of the label.
4. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.
5. California dealers only, provide owner with a "Vehicle Emission Recall Proof of Correction" certificate.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below.

Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

March 1998

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that certain 1996-98 C/K and M/L model vehicles equipped with 4.3L (L35) engines fail to conform to Canad Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 1100, "Vehicle Emission." Some of these vehicles may have been built with the ignition coil wire (distributor to ignition coil) too close to metal brackets or transmission fluid fill tube (M/L van only). If the coil wire is too close to these metal objects, a condition of grounding out through the wire insulation and plastic conduit (arcing) may cause failure of the wires. Failure of the wires can lead to a stalling/no start condition and/or catalytic converter failure.

To correct this condition, dealers are to reposition the coil wire to assure clearance from metal brackets and/or transmission fluid fill tubes.

This service will be provided for you at no charge.

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

If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your 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 shortest possible time.

We 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

98007