CAMPAIGN: FRONT SEAT BELT MAY NOT LATCH. Chevrolet Beretta 1989

Models: 1989 Chevrolet Corsica/Beretta and Pontiac Tempest

General Motors of Canada has determined that some 1989 Chevrolet Corsica/Beretta and Pontiac Tempest model vehicles may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 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 belts 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/Beretta and Pontiac Tempest model vehicles produced within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT FROM THROUGH CHEVROLET ---------- -------- -------- Linden KE170866 KE187000 Wilmington KY165194 KY182193 PONTIAC Wilmington KY705870 KY707647

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:

Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle ----------- -------------------------- ----------------- 12390675 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (RH) As Required (Less Switch) - Blue

12390676 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (LH) As Required (With Switch) - Blue

12390677 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (RH) As Required (Less Switch) - Med. Brown

12390678 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (LH) As Required (With Switch) - Med. Brown

12390679 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (RH) As Required (Less Switch) - Maroon

12390680 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (LH) As Required (With Switch) - Maroon

12390681 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (RH) As Required (Less Switch) - Gray

12390682 Belt Asm. - Buckle End (LH) As Required (With Switch) - Gray

Only 10% of involved vehicles will require parts.

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 ----------- ------------------------- ------------ 1A Inspect Buckle Assemblies Only 0.3 (Both Sides)

2A Inspect & Replace One (1) 0.4 Buckle Assembly

3A Inspect & Replace Two (2) 0.5 Buckle Assemblies

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:

INSPECTION:

Check both front seat belt buckle assemblies on all involved vehicles using procedure below.

1. Sitting in driver's or passenger's 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 to the proper position (Figure #2), then pull on belt 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 J-23457 (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 N.m (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.

7. Install Campaign Identification Label according to instructions below.

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, Dealers are to inspect the front seat belt buckle assemblies and replace as required according to instructions contained in this bulletin.

Please contact your GM Dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. 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 and process your vehicle. The actual labour time necessary to perform this service is approximately ten to twenty-five (10-25) minutes.

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: 89883 Size: MF

Object Number: 89882 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.