CAMPAIGN: SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNLATCH
SUBJECT: Product Safety Campaign 95-C-63 Seat Buckle Unlatch ---------------------------------------------------
MODEL/YEAR: 1994-95 C/K Extended Cab Pick-Ups ----------------------------------
THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETINS 95-C-63 AND 95-C-63 (a) ISSUED MARCH 1996. ALL COPIES OF 95-C-63 AND 95-C-63 (A) SHOULD BE DESTROYED.
THIS ISSUE HAS REVISIONS TO BOTH THE SERVICE PROCEDURE AND THE CLAIMS INFORMATION. THE REVISED INFORMATION IS SHOWN IN BOLD AND OR ITALIC TYPE.
To: All Chevrolet/Geo 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 decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1994-95 Chevrolet C/K extended-cab pickups equipped with front seat belt assemblies having a double-loop energy-management system. A condition exists where in a frontal collision, if both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy-management loops release at/or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch. If the buckle released, the system would fail to provide the appropriate occupant restraint performance. Additionally, a small number of these vehicles equipped with light-duty naturally aspirated diesel engines (L49), which were built with straight (no energy-management loops) front seat-belt systems before and after the larger suspect population, may not meet the HIC (Head Injury Criteria) requirements of FMVSS 208, "Occupant Crash Protection'. In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant of these seats may not be properly restrained.
To correct these conditions, dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy-management loop in the shoulder belt(s) on trucks with gas engines or 6.5L H.O. turbo diesel engines (L65, VIN Code 'F"). For vehicles with light-duty 6.5L naturally aspirated diesel engines (L49) and light-duty 6.5L turbo diesel engines (L56), the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) will be replaced with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1994-95 Chevrolet C/K extended-cab pickups model built within the following VIN breakpoints:
PLANT YEAR MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- ----- ----- ----- ---- -------
1994 C/K Trucks Oshawa "1" R1100005 R1328725 1994 C/K Trucks Pontiac East "E" RE100017 RE314500 1995 C/K Trucks Oshawa "1" S1100010 S1213495 1995 C/K Trucks Pontiac East "E" SE100001 SE242959
The repair to be performed is determined by the seat belt system and the engine type currently in the vehicle. The service procedure clearly states the repairs necessary for each engine.
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).
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 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 with no owner information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owners letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or 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.
This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this campaign may not comply with the standard identified above. 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 a civil penalty up to $1,000 for each such sale.
PARTS INFORMATION
Dealers will be notified on 3/7/96 by GMSPO, via Rapid, of the approximate percentage of parts that will be preshipped. Preshipment parts will be charged to the dealers open parts account. Please refer to your involved vehicle listing prior to ordering additional requirements. Additional parts are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO) . Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. An emergency requirement should be ordered on a CSO Customer Special Order.
A listing by interior color will be provided only once. It is intended to assist dealers in ordering the proper parts by specific trim color. This will enable dealers to have the appropriate color parts on hand when a customer appointment is established. Place this color specific listing in a secure location for future reference.
Notice: Reprints and duplicates will not be available.
1994 AND 1995 SEAT BELT COVER RETAINING BUTTONS:
Part Number Description Quantity ---------- ----------- -------- 15738361 Seat Belt Cover Retaining 1 Button, Gray (13I) 15738362 Seat Belt Cover Retaining 1 Button, Blue (24I and 26I) 15738363 Seat Belt Cover Retaining 1 Button, Beige (64I) 15738364 Seat Belt Cover Retaining 1 Button, Red (47I and 79I)
1994 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY:
Part Number Description Quantity ----------- ----------- -------- 12386367 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, LH, Gray (13I) 12386368 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, RH, Gray (13I) 12386369 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, LH, Blue (24I) 12386370 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, RH, Blue (24I) 12386371 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, LH, Red (47I) 12386372 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, RH, Red (47I) 12386373 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, LH, Beige (64I) 12386374 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, RH, Beige (64I)
1995 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY:
PASSENGER SIDE ONLY
Part Number Description Quantity ----------- ----------- --------
12384794 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, Gray (13I) 12384796 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, Blue (26I) 12384798 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, Beige (64I) 12384800 Seat Belt Retractor 1 Assembly, Red (79I)
Note: Three seam ripper tools have been sent under separate cover in conjunction with the announcement of this campaign. If an additional seam ripper tool is needed due to breakage or loss, call DAC AT 1-800-CHEV-454 and request by name "SEAM RIPPER FOR CAMPAIGN 95-C-63". DO NOT ORDER SEAM RIPPERS FROM GMSPO.
SERVICE PROCEDURE - FIGURES REFERENCED ARE LOCATED ON PAGES 8-10
INSPECTION PROCEDURE - (FIGURE 1)
The vehicles involved have front seat belt assemblies that have an energy management loop system which are covered by a plastic sleeve. To peroperly indentify the retractor assemblies that are involved in the bulletin, follow the inspection procedure listed below.
1. Open the driver/passenger door for 1994 vehciles; passenger door only for 1995 vehicles. Locate the seat belt retractor assembly portion of the seat belt (installed at the "B"pillar).
- For the retractor assembly that has 2 plastic sleeves (1 attached to the shoulder and 1 attached to the lab belt webbing) (Figure 1, Item 1), continue on in the bulletin for proper service procedures that need to be performed.
- For the retractor assemblies that have a single plastic sleeve on the shoulder belt webbing only, or has no plastic sleeves (Figure 1, Item 2), NO REPAIR IS REQUIRED. A campaign Identification Label should be installed at this time.
SERVICE PROCEDURE "A"
For 1994-1995 C/K With RPO L49 (VIN Code P) and RPO L56 (VIN Code S) Diesel Engines Only -----------------------------------------------
This procedure addresses removing the Seat Belt Retractor Assembly on 1994-1995 C/K With RPO L49, (VIN Code P) and RPO L56 (VIN Code S) Diesel Engines Only:
* For 1994 models: Replace both Driver and Passenger Side Retractor Assembly.
* For 1995 models: Replace the Passenger Side Retractor Assembly ONLY.
RETRACTOR REMOVAL PROCEDURE: (Figure 2) ----------------------------
1. Remove the anchor bolt cover from the door "B" pillar anchor plate. The cover swings bottom upward.
2. Remove anchor bolt from door "B" pillar weld nut.
3. Remove the anchor bolt retaining the seat belt retractor to the floor. To access the bolt, remove the access cover on the back side of retractor. This cover is removed from the top and is swung outward.
4. Remove the retractor/belt assembly.
Installation Procedures:
1. Install retractor system to the floor. When installing the anchor bolt, start the bolt by hand to ensure that the bolt is threaded straight. After bolt has been started, torque bolt to 55 Nm (41 lb. ft.). Close the cover.
IMPORTANT: Before attaching the anchor plate to the door "B" pillar, make sure that the seat belt webbing is not twisted.
2. Install anchor bolt through the anchor plate and washer. When installing anchor bolt into weld nut located at the "B" pillar, start the bolt by hand to ensure that the bolt is threaded straight. After bolt has been started, tighten bolt and torque bolt to 55 Nm (41 lb. ft.).
3. Install cover over the door "B" pillar anchor plate.
4. Install Campaign Identification Label.
SERVICE PROCEDURE "B"
For 1994-1995 C/K With Any Gas Engine, Or L65 H.O. 6.5L Turbo (VIN Code F) Diesel Engine -------------------------------------------------
This procedure addresses removal of stitching from the Energy Management (EM) loop, in the shoulder belt side of the seat belt assembly on 1994-1995 C/K With Any Gas Engine, Or L65 H.O. 6.5L Turbo (VIN Code F) Diesel Engine. This procedure MUST NOT be done to the lap belt side.
* For 1994 models: Remove stitching from the shoulder belt EM loop on both the Driver and Passenger seat belt assemblies.
* For 1995 models: Remove stitching from the shoulder belt EM loop on the Passenger seat belt assembly ONLY.
IMPORTANT: Care must be taken when removing the EM loop stitching. The actual seat belt webbing material must not be cut. Remove all excess stitching from webbing when cutting is completed.
Stitching Removal Procedure:
Refer to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6
It is not necessary to remove the retractor assembly from the truck for this procedure.
1. Extend the seat belt from the retractor.
2. Remove the small staple retaining the plastic cover to the shoulder belt webbing by inserting a small flat blade screwdriver under staple and lifting it (Figure 2).
3. Slide the plastic cover back (Figure 3) to reveal the EM loop and Yellow Warning Label (Figure 4).
4. Using the seam ripping tool provided with this campaign (Figure 5), cut each stitch (Figure 4), and remove the thread from the three rows of stitching that make up the EM loop. DO NOT cut, tear, or snag the seat belt webbing material. If the webbing material has been cut or damaged, the retractor assembly should be replaced.
IMPORTANT: The seam ripper is designed for the purpose of removing stitching. The ripping tool has a point at the tip that allows the tool to stretch/lift the stitch and apply force to allow the cutting edge of the tool to cut the stitch and not the webbing. The cutting edge of the tool is located in the center portion of the tool in the curved area. This allows the tool to cut the stitch properly. DO NOT pull up on tool while cutting, possible damage to the tool or possible injury may result. The tool should be pushed toward the stitch for proper cutting.
5. Remove the stitching from the yellow Warning Label and discard label. No replacement label is required.
6. Relocate the plastic cover back to its original position and fasten plastic cover to the webbing with a new cover retaining button (Figure 6) . Push button through the hole created by the staple. If necessary, use a small pointed punch to create a hole in the cover opposite the staple hole.
7. Install Campaign Identification Label.
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 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. When installing the new Campaign Identification Label, be sure to install the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from VISPAC Incorporated by calling 1-800-269-5100 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.
Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.
CLAIM INFORMTION
PART FAILED PARTS LABOR LABOR REPAIR PERFORMED COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC OP HOURS* ---------------- ----- -------- ----- ----- ----- ------
Inspect Seat Belt - - - - - - MA-96 V9824 0.2 Belt on Shoulder Harness
R & R Passenger Side Only Seat 1 # ** MA-96 V9820 0.2 Belt Retractor
R & R Driver and Passenger Side 2 # ** MA-96 V9821 0.3 Seat Belt Retractor
Remove Passenger Side EM Loop 1 # ** MA-96 V9822 0.3 Stitching and Install Button
Remove Driver and Passenger Side EM Loop Stitching 2 # ** MA-96 V9823 0.4 and Install Button
* For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours".
** The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 40% for the parts required to complete the repair.
# Use appropriate part number from the parts information section on page 5.
Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.
March, 1996
Dear Chevrolet Customer:
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 decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1994-95 Chevrolet C/K extended--cab pickups equipped with front seat belt assemblies having a double-loop energy-management system. A condition exists where in a frontal collision, if both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy- management loops release at/or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch. If the buckle released, the system would fail to provide the appropriate occupant restraint performance. Additionally, a small number of these vehicles equipped with light-duty naturally aspirated diesel engines , which were built with straight (no energy-management loops) front seat-belt systems before and after the larger suspect population, may not meet the HIC (Head Injury Criteria) requirements of FMVSS 208, "Occupant Crash Protection". In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant of these seats may not be properly restrained.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To correct these conditions, your dealer will remove the stitching that creates the energy-management loop in the shoulder belt(s) on trucks with gas engines or 6.5L H.O. turbo diesel engines. For vehicles with light-duty 6.5L naturally aspi.rated diesel engines (L49) and light-duty 6.5L turbo diesel engines (L56), the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) will be replaced with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system. This service will be performed at no charge to you.
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. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. The labor time necessary to perform this service correction is approximately 25 minutes. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle. 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.
Your Chevrolet dealer is best equipped to 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 202-366-0123).
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.
Chevrolet Motor Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Enclosure
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.
