CAMPAIGN: AUTO. TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAINMENT. Chevrolet Chevy K Pickup

Subject: PRODUCT CAMPAIGN 90C35(a) - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAINMENT --- REISSUE---

Model and Year: 1988-90 C/K TRUCKS AND R/V SUBURBAN

THIS CAMPAIGN UPDATES CHEVROLET CAMPAIGN NUMBER 90C35, ISSUED JANUARY 1992, TO INCLUDE 1988-90 R/V SUBURBANS. PLEASE DISCARD ALL OLD COPIES OF CAMPAIGN 90C35.

THIS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF R/V SUBURBANS TO THE POPULATION OF AFFECTED VEHICLES.

To: All Chevrolet Dealers

DEFECT INVOLVED

A product improvement was made on all 1991 C/K trucks and R/V Suburbans equipped with automatic transmissions to help in maintaining the proper transmission fluid level. Transmission fluid level is very important to transmission life and performance.

Also, it has come to our attention that some owners are pulling trailers heavier than the vehicle is equipped to pull or otherwise loading their vehicles with loads greater than that specified for the vehicle as it is equipped. These conditions can result in abnormal pressure build-up in the transmission and the possibility of transmission fluid coming out the filler tube onto hot engine parts.

The possibility of a transmission fluid fire is remote. However, we wanted our owners to have the benefits of the improvements which address this concern, and the maintenance of a proper transmission fluid level.

These improvements consist of (1) revising the transmission fluid level indicator (dipstick) markings so they can be more easily understood, (2) adding a seal at the fill tube inlet end to help prevent fluid from coming out of the fill tube, and (3) revising the fluid level checking procedure in the owner's manual to provide for a "cold" fluid level check. (Notice: A "hot" check must follow when fluid is added during a cold check.)

To help prevent conditions that could cause transmission pressure build-up and the possibility of transmission fluid coming out of the fill tube, Chevrolet Motor Division is providing to owners a new dipstick with a lock-seal top, new owner manual instructions and graphics for checking the automatic transmission fluid level, and updated information on towing with an overdrive equipped automatic transmission.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are 1988-90 C/K trucks and R/V Suburban equipped with 4L60 (RPO MD8) or 3L80 (RPO M40) automatic transmissions built within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT YEAR MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH

1988 C/K Truck Pontiac East "E" JE100001 JE211189

1988 C/K Truck Fort Wayne "Z" JZ100013 JZ331451

1988 C/K Truck Oshawa "1" J1100014 J1309125

1988 R/V Suburban Flint "F" JF100001 JF199109

1989 C/K Truck Pontiac East "E" KE100001 KE282856

1989 C/K Truck Fort Wayne "Z" KZ100001 KZ285940

1989 C/K Truck Oshawa "1" K1100016 K1262167

1989 R/V Suburban Flint "F" KF100001 KF200101

1990 C/K Truck Pontiac East "E" LE100002 LE265301

1990 C/K Truck Fort Wayne "Z" LZ100001 LZ276058

1990 C/K Truck Oshawa "1" L1100015 L1265823

1990 R/V Suburban Flint "F" LF100001 LF181676

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). A listing of owner names and addresses will NOT be furnished to involved dealers.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

Since a new dipstick can be easily installed, for the owners convenience, a new dipstick, along with installation instructions and a new owner's manual page insert, will be sent directly to owners of record. Owners may install the dipstick or they may ask a dealer to perform the service.

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. Dealers are to correct all affected vehicles in new and used vehicle stock prior to their sale.

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 ensure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle.

PARTS INFORMATION

A new lock-seal fluid level indicator (dipstick), installation instructions, instructions for checking the transmission fluid level and updated information on towing with an overdrive equipped automatic transmission will be mailed to owners of record by Chevrolet Motor Division on a no charge basis.

If additional transmission fluid level indicators are required, they should 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).

Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- ------------ -------

15687192 Transmission Fluid Level Indicator - 1 MD8/700R4 Automatic Transmission

15659781 Transmission Fluid Level Indicator - 1 M40/THM 400 Automatic Transmission

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Remove old transmission fluid level indicator (dipstick).

2. Install new lock-seal transmission fluid level indicator (dipstick).

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

No "Campaign Identification Label" is required for this campaign.

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 OP HRS HRS ----------------- -- --------- ----- ----- ----- --- --- Install New Trans. Fluid Level 1 15687192 ** SK-00 V7220 0.2 0.1 Indicator -Dealer Obtained Indicator

Install New Trans. - ---- -- Fluid Level SK-00 V7221 0.2 0.1 Indicator -Owner Provided Indicator

* 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 1988-90 Chevrolet C/K Truck and R/V Suburban Owners:

Product improvements were made on all 1991 C/K Trucks and R/V Suburbans equipped with automatic transmissions to help in maintaining the proper transmission fluid level. Transmission fluid level is very important to transmission life and performance; therefore Chevrolet will make these improvements on 1988-90 C/K Trucks and R/V Suburbans.

Operating your C/K Truck or R/V Suburban with an overfilled transmission, pulling loads heavier than the vehicle is equipped to pull, or otherwise overloading the vehicle beyond specifications can result in abnormal pressure build-up in the transmission. If abnormal pressure does build up in the transmission it is possible for transmission fluid to come out the filler tube onto hot engine parts.

These improvements consist of (1) revising the transmission fluid level indicator (dipstick) markings so they can be more easily understood, (2) adding a seal at the fill tube inlet end to help prevent fluid coming out of the fill tube, and (3) revising the fluid level checking procedure in the owner's manual to provide for a "cold" fluid level check. (Note: A "hot" check must follow when fluid is added during a "cold" check.)

This product improvement applies to BOTH 3-speed automatic transmission and 4-speed overdrive automatic transmissions.

Because a new dipstick can be easily installed, for your convenience we have included a new dipstick and installation instructions with this letter. The instructions for the installation of this dipstick are on the reverse side of this letter. However, if you desire, your Chevrolet dealer will install the dipstick for you at no charge.

You will find an owner's manual supplement pertaining to automatic transmission fluid with this letter. Peel the protective tape off the pre-gummed area of the owner's manual supplement and place it in your owner's manual.

Please review the updated information on towing with an overdrive equipped automatic transmission and keep it in your owner's manual.

The enclosed postage paid owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Please complete the card to indicate that the campaign repair has been completed. However, if you have sold or traded your vehicle, please furnish us the complete name and address of the person you sold or traded your vehicle to and return the card to us.

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

Chevrolet Motor Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

INSTALLATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK

1. OPEN VEHICLE HOOD.

2. LOCATE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL DIPSTICK NEAR LEFT REAR OF ENGINE (INDICATED BY ARROW IN FIGURE 1). DIPSTICK HANDLE IS FORMED INTO A SMALL LOOP OF WIRE)

3. REMOVE OLD DIPSTICK FROM VEHICLE. PLACE IN SHIPPING TUBE AND DISPOSE PROPERLY. KEEP DIPSTICK OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

4. WITH THE NEW DIPSTICK HANDLE IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION PUSH THE DIPSTICK ALL THE WAY INTO THE TRANSMISSION FILL TUBE (FIGURE 2).

5. FLIP THE HANDLE DOWN TO LOCK THE DIPSTICK IN PLACE (FIGURE 3).

Object Number: 87438 Size: MF

Object Number: 94056 Size: MF

Object Number: 94601 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.