CAMPAIGN: STEERING WHEEL NUT LOOSE (CHECK/RETORQUE). Chevrolet Beretta 1991

Models: 1991 Chevrolet Beretta/Corsica and Pontiac Tempest (Wilmington Assembly Plant Only - VIN Code 'Y')

TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS

General Motors of Canada has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1991 Chevrolet Beretta/Corsica and Pontiac Tempest model vehicles which may have improperly installed steering wheels. The nut attaching the steering wheel may not have been properly tightened during installation. This could allow the steering wheel to separate from the steering column. Should this occur while the vehicle is in motion, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.

To prevent this condition from occurring, dealers are to check the torque of the steering wheel nut, and if necessary, tighten the nut to the proper torque.

VEHICLES INVOLVED:

Involved are certain 1991 Chevrolet Beretta/Corsica and Pontiac Tempest model vehicles built at Wilmington Assembly Plant within the following VIN breakpoints:

Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through ------ ------------ ------- -------- -------- -------- 1991 Beretta/Corsica Wilmington "Y" MY100001 MY140469

1991 Tempest Wilmington "Y" MY700001 MY701780

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 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 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:

No parts are required to complete this campaign.

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 Check Steering Wheel Nut . 5 and Re-torque As Necessary

Time allowance includes 0.1 for Dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 30% to cover parts handling.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

1. Turn ignition switch off.

2. Remove SIR (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint) fuse #3.

3. Remove left sound insulator (see Section 8C of Service Manual).

4. Remove Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and disconnect yellow two-way SIR harness connector at the base of steering column.

5. Remove four screws from back of steering wheel using a #30 torx driver (or equivalent).

6. Remove Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and disconnect SIR coil pigtail electrical connector from rear of SIR module.

7. Remove SIR inflator module from vehicle.

NOTICE: Special care is necessary when handling and storing a live (undeployed) inflator module. Rapid gas generation produced during deployment of air bag could cause inflator module, or object in front of inflator module, to be thrown through the air in the unlikely event of an accidental deployment.

CAUTION:

When carrying a live inflator module, make sure bag and trim cover are pointed away from you. In case of an accidental deployment, the bag will then deploy with minimal chance of injury. When placing a live inflator module on a bench or other surface, always face bag and trim cover up, away from surface. This is necessary so that a free space is provided to allow the air bag to expand in the unlikely event of accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result. Also, never carry inflator module by the wires or connector on the underside of the module.

8. Using a torque wrench and 13/16" socket, check torque of hexagon locking steering wheel nut. If necessary, tighten nut to 42 N.m (31 lb. ft.).

9. Connect SIR pigtail connector to rear of SIR inflator module and install Connector Position Assurance (CPA).

10. Install inflator module to steering wheel using four screws previously removed. Tighten screws to 10 N.m (89 lb. in.).

11. Check to make sure that ignition switch is turned to "OFF."

12. Connect yellow two-way SIR harness connector and CPA at base of steering column.

13. Install left sound insulator (see Section 8C of Service Manual).

14. Install SIR fuse #3.

15. Turn ignition to "RUN" and make sure the "INFLATABLE RESTRAINT" indicator lamp flashes 7 to 9 times and then goes out. If the indicator lamp does not operate as indicated, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS (SECTION 9J-A of Service Manual).

16. 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.

Dear General Motors Customer,

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your General Motors dealer will check the torque of the steering wheel nut, and if necessary, tighten the nut to the proper torque.

This service will be performed for you at no charge.

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

Subsequent to contacting your dealer, further assistance, if required, may be obtained from our Customer Assistance Centre, toll free, by calling 1-800-263-3777 (English), or 1-800-263-7854 (French).

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

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.