REDUCED HEATER PERFORMANCE (REPLACE HEATER CORE)
Some 1988 C/K trucks may experience reduced heater performance due to a missing separator in the heater core.
If a vehicle exhibits this condition and the VIN of the vehicle is within the breakpoints listed below, the following diagnostic procedure should be used:
1. Run the vehicle until the thermostat opens. The vehicle must be at normal operating temperature.
2. The remaining procedure must be conducted at 15-26 degrees Celcius (60 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit) ambient temperature in order to properly diagnose the heater core performance.
3. Set control to HEATER mode.
4. Set fan speed on HIGH.
5. Engine speed at IDLE.
6. Check the vehicle heater outlet temperature for several minutes with a thermometer.
If outlet temperature is less than 28 degrees Celcius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) above ambient, the heater core should be replaced with P/N 3091316.
Vehicles built between the following VIN breakpoints may be affected by this condition.
GMC JZ559713 To JZ560949 Chevrolet JZ315442 To JZ319622
GMC J1583737 To J1584197 Chevrolet J1300321 To J1301007
GMC JE536922 To JE537614 Chevrolet JE207756 To JE209466
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.