CAMPAIGN: POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CORROSION
SUBJECT: POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CORROSION
Models: 1996 Chevrolet & GMC C/K Pickups with 6.5L Diesel Engines (L56/L65)
TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS
General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that some early built 1996 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Pickups equipped with 6.5L diesel engines (L56/L65) have positive battery cables that could corrode at the starter motor terminal. This corrosion could eventually result in the cable separating from the terminal causing a "no start" condition. The corrosion occurs because the terminal-cable connection did not receive the specified dip solder corrosion protection.
To correct this condition, dealers will install a new positive battery cable having a dip soldered terminal-cable connection.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are CERTAIN 1996 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Pickups equipped with 6.5L diesel engines (L56 & L65) built within the following VIN breakpoints:
Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through
1996 GMC C/K Flint F TF000006 TF001690 1996 GMC C/K Pontiac East E TE501873 TE502447 1996 Chevrolet C/K Flint F TF000006 TF001690 1996 Chevrolet C/K Pontiac East E TE102151 TE107910
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 45 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAID.
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:
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's 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 perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometers traveled, 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 instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner 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 is taken into your new or used 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.
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 (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin). 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 12190974 Positive Battery Cable 1
PARTS AND LABOR 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 Install Positive Battery Cable .8 Hrs.
Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 40% to cover parts handling.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
Notice: Preset radio station and other electronic devices should be noted prior to disconnecting battery cable.
1. Disconnect positive cables from battery (Figure 1, Items 1 & 2), separate and locate cable to starter (Item 2).
2. Remove right fender shield.
3. Remove cable to frame brackets.
4. Remove front starter support bolt.
5. Remove starter bolts.
6. Remove positive cable from starter.
7. Remove cable and position replacement cable in vehicle.
8. Install positive cable to starter.
9. Install starter bolts, tighten to 45 N.m (35 lbs. ft.).
10. Install front starter support bolt, torque to 32 N.m (24 lbs. ft.).
11. Install cable to frame brackets.
12. Install right fender shield.
13. Connect both positive battery cables to battery, tighten to 15 N.m (11 lbs. ft.).
Important: When installing the positive battery cable to the starter solenoid, the inner nut on the solenoid battery terminal must be tightened before the battery cable and other leads are installed. Failure to do so may result in solenoid terminal and solenoid damage.
14. Reset all electronic devices as noted in Step 1.
15. 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
As a valued customer, your complete satisfaction with your General Motors truck is our goal. In keeping with this goal, we want to let you know that we have discovered a problem that could affect your vehicle and we want to take, care of it at no charge to you.
Some early built 1996 Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban Pickups and 1996 GMC Sierra, Yukon and Suburban Pickups equipped with 6.5L diesel engines have positive battery cables that could corrode at the starter motor terminal. This corrosion could eventually result in the cable separating from the terminal causing a "no start" condition. The corrosion occurs because the terminal-cable connection did not receive the specified dip solder corrosion protection.
To be absolutely sure that your vehicle is to specifications, your GM dealer will install a new positive battery cable having a dip soldered terminal-cable connection.
Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.
If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your 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.
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.
