CAMPAIGN: SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS

Subject: PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN 91C31 - SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS

Model and Year: 1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE

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 a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 1991 Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which the shoulder belt guide loop plastic covering may crack and expose the steel sub-plate. In the event of a vehicle crash, the exposed steel sub-plate could cut the safety belt webbing and result in an increased possibility and/or severity of injury to the affected seat occupant.

To prevent this condition from occurring, dealers are to install new shoulder belt guide loops on involved vehicles.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are 1991 Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT YEAR MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- ----- ----- ----- ---- ------- 1991 B-Car Arlington "R" MR100001 MR152645

1991 B-Car Willow Run "W" MW100001 MW264849

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, 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).

Due to the number of vehicles involved, owner letter mailings will be phased over a three week period.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

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 owners take possession of these vehicles.

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.

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.

In summary, 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, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

SPECIAL TOOLS

Each dealer will be shipped a Shoulder Belt Guide Loop Cutter Tool (J-39555) for use in this campaign. This tool is being furnished at no charge to dealers and will be sent to dealers during the week of July 6, 1992. Additional tools, if required, may be purchased by contacting the Kent-Moore tool company at 1-800-345-2233.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (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).

NOTICE

TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL, A SEDAN OR WAGON REPLACEMENT GUIDE LOOP KIT AND A GUIDE LOOP COVER KIT MUST BE ORDERED.

FRONT AND SECOND SEAT GUIDE LOOPS IN WAGONS MUST BE REPLACED TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL ACTION. SEDANS REQUIRE ONLY FRONT SEAT GUIDE LOOPS TO BE REPLACED AS THEY ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH SECOND SEAT GUIDE LOOPS.

SEDANS ------ Quantity/ Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- ----------- --------- 10225856 Front Seat Replacement Guide Loop Kit 1

Contains: 2 Replacement Guide Loops 2 Replacement Front Seat Bolt/Screws 35mm Shoulder 1 Instruction Sheet

10225859 Front Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Very Dark Sapphire

Contains: 2 Guide Loop Covers

10225861 Front Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Light Camel

Contains: 2 Guide Loop Covers

10225863 Front Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Dark Maple Red

Contains: 2 Guide Loop Covers

10225866 Front Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Medium Dark Gray

Contains: 2 Guide Loop Covers

STATION WAGONS

Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- ----------- --------- 10225869 Front And Second Seat Guide Loop Kit 1

Contains: 4 Replacement Guide Loops 2 Replacement Front Seat Bolt/Screws - 35mm Shoulder 2 Replacement Second Seat Bolt/Screws - 25mm Shoulder 1 Instruction Sheet

10225870 Front And Second Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Very Dark Sapphire

Contains: 2 Front Seat Guide Loop Covers 2 Second Seat Guide Loop Covers

10225872 Front And Second Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Light Camel

Contains: 2 Front Seat Guide Loop Covers 2 Second Seat Guide Loop Covers

10225874 Front And Second Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Dark Maple Red

Contains: 2 Front Seat Guide Loop Covers 2 Second Seat Guide Loop Covers

10225876 Front And Second Seat Guide Loop Cover Kit As Required - Medium Dark Gray

Contains: 2 Front Seat Guide Loop Covers 2 Second Seat Guide Loop Covers

GMSPO will provide instructions at a later date for the return of nonconforming service safety belt retractor assemblies.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

PERFORM FOLLOWING PROCEDURES FOR FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELTS IN SEDANS AND FOR FRONT AND SECOND SEAT SHOULDER BELTS IN STATION WAGONS.

Belt Inspection Procedure

Inspect all applicable belt webbings for snags, cuts or excessive wear marks. If any of these conditions are present, replace affected retractor/belt assembly as described in section 10-11 of service manual.

For belts which do not exhibit snags, cuts or excessive wear marks, replace guide loops following the "Guide Loop Replacement Procedure".

Guide Loop Replacement Procedure

1. Remove guide loop from body lock pillar and pull out enough belt webbing to have guide loop outside of vehicle so it may be placed in shoulder belt guide loop cutter tool (J-39555).

2. While wearing safety glasses, place guide loop into shoulder belt guide loop cutter tool J-39555 (View "All, page 6) being certain to note proper orientation of guide loop into tool (angled portion of guide loop should be as shown in View "A").

3. Tighten screw shaft of shoulder belt guide loop cutter tool until guide loop breaks (View "B", page 6).

4. Carefully remove webbing.

5. Insert webbing into new guide loop between ends of loop (View "C", page 7) and attach new guide loop cover. For front seat guide loops only, insert cover between guide loop ends (View "D", page 7). For station wagon second seat guide loops, install cover between guide loop and pillar (View "F", page 8). Be certain new guide loop cover, when installed, is angled away from trim and that belt webbing is not twisted.

6. Insert new bolt (bolt supplied with kit - front seat bolt has 35mm shoulder; second seat bolt has 25mm shoulder) through guide loop and cover, and then bolt to body pillar. Torque to 40 Nm (30 lb. ft.). Close guide loop cover over guide loop (for sedan and station wagon front seats: View "E", page 7; For station wagon second seats: View "F", page 8).

7. Check to be sure guide loop rotates freely and that webbing easily passes through loop and retracts properly.

8. Repeat this procedure for all applicable guide loops in vehicle (front seat guide loops in sedans; front and second seat guide loops in station wagons).

9. Install Campaign Identification Labels.

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 campaign number and 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. Additional "Campaign - Identification Labels" can be obtained from DAC.

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

CLAIM INFORMATION

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

* FAILED PARTS CC-FC LABOR LAB OTH REPAIR PERFORMED PC PART NO. ALLOW 0P HRS HRS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sedan Replace Both Front 2 10225856 ** SK-00 V7548 0.3 0.1 Seat Guide Loops

Sedan Replace One Front Seat Retractor & 3 12502310 ** SK-00 V7549 0.6 0.1 One Front Seat Guide Loop

Sedan Replace Both Front 2 12502310 ** SK-00 V7550 0.8 0.1 Seat Retractors

Station Wagon Replace Both Front & Both Second 2 10225869 ** SK-00 V7551 0.5 0.1 Seat Guide Loops

Station Wagon Replace One Front & Both Second Seat Guide Loops & 3 12502310 ** SK-00 V7552 0.7 0.1 Replace One Front Seat Retractor

Station Wagon Replace Both Front & One Second Seat Guide Loops & 3 12511640 ** SK-00 V7553 1.0 0.1 Replace One Second Seat Retractor

Station Wagon Replace Both Front Seat Guide Loops & 4 12511640 ** SK-00 V7554 12 0.1 Replace Both Second Seat Retractors

Station Wagon Replace Both Front Seat Retractors & 4 12502310 ** SK-00 V7555 1.0 0.1 Replace Both Second Seat Guide Loops

Station Wagon Replace One Front & One Second Seat Guide Loop & 4 12502310 ** SK-00 V7556 1.1 0.1 Replace One Front & one Second Seat Retractor

Station Wagon Replace Both Front & One Second Seat Retractors & 5 12502310 ** SK-00 V7557 1.4 0.1 Replace One Second Seat Guide Loop

Station Wagon Replace One Front & Both Second Seat Retractors & 5 12502310 ** SK-00 V7558 1.6 0.1 Replace One Front Seat Guide Loop

Station Wagon Replace Both Front & Both Second Seat 4 12502310 ** SK-00 V7559 1.7 0.1 Retractors

* 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.

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.

Dear Chevrolet Caprice Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

REASON FOR THIS RECALL

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 1991 Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which the shoulder belt guide loop plastic covering may crack and expose the steel sub-plate. In the event of a vehicle crash, the exposed steel sub-plate could cut the safety belt webbing and result in an increased possibility and/or severity of injury to the affected seat occupant.

WHAT WE WILL DO

To prevent this condition from occurring, your dealer will install new shoulder belt guide loops in your vehicle. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please contact your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and so the dealer may order the necessary parts for the repair. Please be sure to tell the dealer the color of your interior so that the dealer can have the correct color trim when you take your vehicle in for this repair.

Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer and parts are available. The labor time necessary to perform this Bervice correction is approximately 15 to 90 minutes. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.

Your Chevrolet dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to ensure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. If, however, you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition on that date or within five (5) days, we recommend you contact the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center by calling 1-800-222-1020.

After contacting your dealer and the Customer Assistance Center, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington D.C. residents use 366-0123).

The enclosed owner 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 have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

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

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.