CAMPAIGN: FRONT SEAT BELT MAY NOT LATCH

SUBJECT: FRONT SEAT BELT MAY NOT LATCH 1989 CHEVROLET CORSICA AND BERETTA

TO: ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS

THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT, AS AMENDED, PROVIDES THAT EACH VEHICLE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THIS TYPE MUST BE ADEQUATELY REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AFTER THE OWNER HAS TENDERED IT FOR REPAIR. A FAILURE TO REPAIR WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER TENDER OF A VEHICLE IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF FAILURE TO REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME.

IF THE CONDITION IS NOT ADEQUATELY REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THE OWNER MAY BE ENTITLED TO AN IDENTICAL OR REASONABLY EQUIVALENT VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE OR TO A REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE LESS A REASONABLE ALLOWANCE FOR DEPRECIATION.

TO AVOID HAVING TO PROVIDE THESE BURDENSOME SOLUTIONS, EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO PROMPTLY SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH EACH OWNER AND TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS YOU WILL SEE IN READING THE ATTACHED COPY OF THE LETTER THAT IS BEING SENT TO OWNERS, THE OWNERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IF THEIR DEALER DOES NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF THE MUTUALLY AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE. IF THE CONDITION IS NOT REMEDIED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THEY ARE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

DEFECT INVOLVED

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME 1989 CHEVROLET CORSICA AND BERETTA MODEL VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES". THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES OR DO SO ONLY AFTER WIGGLING THE LATCH PLATE, RESULTING IN A NO-LATCH CONDITION OR SOME DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A LATCHED CONDITION. BECAUSE THE PUSH BUTTON RELEASE REMAINS DEPRESSED AND THE FAMILIAR "CLICK" OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM DOESN'T OCCUR, THIS CONDITION SHOULD BE APPARENT TO VEHICLE OCCUPANT(S).

ADDITIONALLY, THE MOVEMENT OF THE OCCUPANT IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN THE LATCH PLATE RELEASING FROM THE BUCKLE. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OR IMPROPERLY BELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK TO INJURY THAN THOSE USING SEAT BLETS PROPERLY.

TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE AS REQUIRED ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

INVOLVED ARE CERTAIN 1989 CHEVROLET CORSICA AND BERETTA MODEL VEHICLES PRODUCED WITHIN THE FOLLOWING VIN BREAKPOINTS:

PLANT FROM THROUGH

LINDEN KE170866 KE187000

WILMINGTON KY165194 KY182193

INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY VIN COMPUTER LISTINGS. COMPUTER LISTINGS CONTAIN THE COMPLETE VIN, 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 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 CORRECTION ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOTICE TO YOUR THAT THE NEW MOTOR VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED. UNDER SECTION 108 OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A DEALER TO SELL A NEW MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH THE DEALER KNOWS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH AN APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IF YOU SELL ANY OF THESE MOTOR VEHICLES WITHOUT FIRST PERFORMING THE CAMPAIGN CORRECTION, YOUR DEALERSHIP MAY BE SUBJECT TO CIVIL PENALTY UP TO $1000 FOR EACH SUCH SALE.

PARTS INFORMATION

PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN ARE TO BE OBTAINED FROM 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.

PART QUANTITY/ NUMBER DESCRIPTION VEHICLE

12390675 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (RH) LESS SWITCH - BLUE AS REQ.

12390676 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (LH) LESS SWITCH - BLUE AS REQ.

12390677 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (RH) LESS SWITCH - MED. BROWN AS REQ.

12390678 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (LH) LESS SWITCH - MED. BROWN AS REQ.

12390679 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (RH) LESS SWITCH - MAROON AS REQ.

12390680 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (LH) LESS SWITCH - MAROON AS REQ.

12390681 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (RH) LESS SWITCH - GRAY AS REQ.

12390682 BELT ASM - BUCKLE END (LH) LESS SWITCH - GRAY AS REQ.

NOTICE: OF THE APPROXIMATELY 33,133 VEHICLES INVOLVED INT THIS CAMPAIGN (66,266 TOTAL BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES), IT IS ISTIMATED THAT ONLY 2,754 BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES (4.2%) WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. ORDER PARTS ACCORDINGLY BASED ON ATTACHED INVOLVED VEHICLE LISTING.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

INSPECTION

CHECK BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES USING PROCEDURE BELOW.

1. SITTING IN DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS SEAT WITH DOOR CLOSED, ENGAGE LATCH PLATE TO BUCKLE. LOOK AT THE PUSH BUTTON RELEASE ON THE BUCKLE. IF IT IS STILL DEPRESSED (FIGURE #1), THE BUCKLE IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY. IF THE PUSH BUTTON RETURNS TOTHE PROPER POSITION (FIGURE #2), THEN PULL ON BLET ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE LATCH PLATE FROM BUCKLE WITHOUT USE OF RELEASE BUTTON.

2. RELEASE LATCH PLATE FROM BUCKLE.

3. REPEAT ABOVE PROCEDURE TEN (10) TIMES. IF THE PUSH BUTTON STAYS DEPRESSED, AND/OR THE LATCH PLATE BECOMES DISENGAGED FROM BUCKLE WHILE PULLING ON BELT (WITHOUT USE OF THE RELEASE BUTTON) DURING ANY OF THE TEN (10) ATTEMPTS, REPLACE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

IF NO DISENGAGEMENTS OCCUR AFTER TEN (10) ATTEMPTS, REPLACEMENT IS NOT REQUIRED.

BUCKLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT

1. SLIDE SEAT FORWARD TO ACCESS BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ANCHOR BOLT.

2. DISCONNECT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR (DRIVER SIDE ONLY.

3. REMOVE PLASTIC PLUG COVERING ANCHOR BOLT AND REMOVE ANCHOR BOLT USING TOOL J23457 (OR EQUIVALENT). REMOVE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, WASHER AND SPACER.

4. INSTALL NEW BUCKLE ASSEMBLY USING ORIGINAL WASHER, SPACER AND ANCHOR BOLT. TORQUE ANCHOR BOLT TO 42 NM (31 LBS-FT). IF ORIGINAL ANCHOR BOLT IS DAMAGED OR OTHERWISE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT USE BOLT P/N 20247400.

5. CONNECT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR (DRIVER SIDE ONLY).

6. REINSTALL PLASTIC PLUG COVERING ANCHOR BOLT.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

1. INSTALL CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

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 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: * PART FAILED PARTS LABOR LAB OTH REPAIR PERFORMED COUNT PART NO. ALLOW FC OP. HRS HRS

INSPECT BUCKLE ASSM. -- -- -- 00 V5290 0.2 0.1 ONLY (BOTH SIDES)

INSPECT AND REPLACE 1 *** ** 00 V5291 0.3 0.1 ONE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

INSPECT AND REPLACE 2 *** ** 00 V5292 0.4 0.1 TWO BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES

* 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.

*** REFER TO "PARTS INFORMATION" SECTION IN THIS BULLETIN FOR PROPER "FAILED PART NO." INFORMATION.

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.

**CHEVROLET DISCLAIMER**

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.