CAMPAIGN: INCORRECT TRANS DIPSTICK TUBE LENGTH
SUBJECT. TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE IS TOO SHORT
MODELS: 1992 M/L VANS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
General Motors has determined that certain 1992 M/L vans were built with the transmission dipstick tube assembly shorter than engineering print speci- fications. This condition could cause a properly filled transmission to indicate an overfilled reading on the dipstick. If the transmission were to be filled to the operating range indicated on the dipstick, transmission slippage (primarily when the transmission fluid is cold) and shortened transmission life may occur. In production, all of the transmissions were properly filled except for a one month period when they were filled to the operating range on the dipstick.
To correct these conditions, a new dipstick, which matches the existing tube length, will be sent to all owners of record. Additionally, those owners with under filled transmissions will be asked to return to their dealership to have the transmission fluid level inspected and adjusted as necessary.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1992 M/L Vans with automatic transmissions (RPO MD8) built within the following VIN breakpoints:
VEHICLES REQUIRING NEW DIPSTICK
Model Model Year Plant From Through ----- ----- ----- ---- ------- M/L vans 1992 Baltimore SOP 1992 NB530628
NOTE. A listing of owner names and addresses will NOT be furnished to the involved dealers for these vehicles. A listing of vehicles in inventory (stock units) will be sent to all involved dealers with the campaign bulletin.
Certain vehicles built between the following VIN breakpoints will also need to have the transmission fluid level inspected and adjusted (see Note below) if necessary:
VEHICLES REQUIRING NEW DIPSTICK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION
Model Model Year Plant From Through ----- ----- ----- ---- ------- M/L vans 1992 Baltimore NB516779 NB530359
The specific vehicles involved in this portion of the campaign have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. These listings are furnished to all involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Retain this listing, as these vehicles WILL NOT appear on future follow-up listings.
NOTE: Due to mailing schedule of dipsticks to owners, dealers ARE NOT to follow up with these owners until AFTER July 31, 1992.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Since a new dipstick can be easily installed and for the owner's convenience, a new dipstick, along with installation instructions will be sent directly to all owners of record. Refer to PARTS INFORMATION if owner calls regarding dipstick problems. Owners may install the dipstick or they may ask the dealer to do the service. Owners of vehicles which need to have transmission fluid level inspected will be instructed to make an appointment with the dealer to have this service completed.
NOTE: Due to mailing schedule of dipsticks to owners, dealers ARE NOT to follow up with these owners until AFTER July 31, 1992.
All untold 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 cor- rection according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
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.
If the name and address of the owner of an involved vehicle was unavailable to GMC Truck Division at the time of campaign initiation, the dealer must determine the owner's name and address from the dealership sales records. Please provide this information directly on the second copy of the listing next to the applicable VIN so that our records may be updated and the appropriate notification mailed to the owner. This second copy should then be submitted to the address listed below in the previously supplied yellow campaign envelopes.
GMC Truck Division General Motors Corporation 101 Union Street Plymouth, Michigan 48170
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by GMC Truck Division (see copy of owner lefter included with this bulletin). Owners are being instructed to call their GMC Truck dealer if they encounter problems in receiving their dipstick. Refer to PARTS INFORMATION if owner calls regarding dipstick problems.
A listing of owner names for vehicles which require only the dipstick to be replaced will NOT be furnished to involved dealers.
A listing of owner names and addresses, for owners of vehicles whose VIN are in the range specified in the VEHICLES REQUIRING TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION, will be furnished to the involved dealers. This will enable dealers to follow up with owners involved in this portion of the campaign AFTER July 31, 1992.
The listing 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 this campaign.
SERVICE PROCEDURE TO INSTALL THE NEW DIPSTICK
1. Remove the old transmission dipstick.
2. Install the new transmission dipstick.
TO CHECK AND ADJUST THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL
1. Install the new dipstick as described above.
2. Check the transmission fluid level using the procedures outlined in section 7A-3 "TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKING PROCEDURE" of the 1992 Safari Service Manual (X-9230) .
3. Add Dexron IIE automatic transmission fluid (P/N 12345881) until the proper fluid level is obtained. Approximately 1/2 quart may be needed to bring the fluid up to the proper level.
4. Install "Campaign Identification Label".
PARTS INFORMATION
A new transmission fluid level indicator, installation instructions and instructions for checking the transmission fluid level will be mailed to owners of record by GMC Truck on a no charge basis.
If an owner calls, stating he received a letter and no dipstick, please do the following:
1. Obtain complete name of owner (as listed on their white owner reply card).
2. Obtain complete address (street, city, state and Zip code).
3. Obtain owner's VIN (as written on their white owner reply card).
4. Forward this information to your GMC Truck Service Representative.
Fluid level indicators required for vehicles in your inventory (stock units), should be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operation (GMSPO). To ensure that these parts are obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMSPO on a C.I.O. order with no special instruction code but order under advise code (2).
Part Number Description Qty. ----------- ----------- --- 15957331 Indicator, Trans Fluid Level, 1 MD8 w/ (LB4)
15957332 Indicator, Trans Fluid Level, 1 MD8 w/ (L35)
123458881 Dexron IIE Automatic 1 Qt. Transmission Fluid
WARRANTY INFORMATION
If the customer requests that the dealer install the transmission fluid level indicator or transmission fluid is added, dealers should submit a warranty claim on each vehicle completed under this campaign.
Labor Operation *Time **Parts Trouble Number Description Allow. Allow. Code --------- ----------- ------- -------- ------- V7530 Install 0.2 $0.33 96 Transmission Dipstick and Add Transmis- sion Fluid as Necessary
* For dealer to receive Administrative Time Allowance associated with this campaign, add 0.1 hour to the Labor Operation Time Allowance.
** The $0.33 amount identified in the "Parts Allowance" column above represents 30% of dealer net for the dipsticks which were furnished by GMC Truck Division. This amount is to be placed in the Net Item Amount column of the claim and use type code "M". This allowance does not apply if is necessary to order additional parts through GMSPO. Normal Warranty Procedures should be followed when submitting a claim for any transmission fluid which is added.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
No campaign Identification Label is required for this campaign UNLESS transmission fluid must be added.
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 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.
Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE
Procedures covering this campaign are outlined in Section V of your dealership's "GM Truck Claims Processing Manual" #P9119.
Dear GMC Truck Owner:
General Motors has determined that certain 1992 M/L vans were built with the transmission dipstick tube assembly shorter than the engineering print specifications. This condition could cause a properly filled transmission to indicate an overfilled reading on the dipstick. If the transmission were to be filled to the operating range indicated on the dipstick, transmission slippage (primarily when the transmission fluid is cold), and shortened transmission life may occur. All of the transmissions were properly filled in production except for a one month period when they were filled to the operating range on the dipstick. Your vehicle has been identified as one of those with an under filled transmission (approximately 112 quart).
To correct the above conditions, a new dipstick, which matches the existing tube length, has been mailed to you with this letter. Please contact your GMC Truck dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date for the dealer to install the new dipstick you received in the mail and inspect the transmission fluid level and bring it up to the proper level. This service will be completed for you at no charge.
Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.
If you should encounter any problem in receiving the dipstick, please call your local GMC Truck dealer. When calling your GMC Truck dealer please provide your complete name, complete address and vehicle identification number (as printed on the attached white owner reply card).
The enclosed postage paid owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of the card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time. However, if you have sold or traded your vehicle, please furnish us COMPLETE NAME AND ADDRESS of the person you sold or traded your vehicle to and return the card to us.
We appreciate your cooperation and are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
INSTALLATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK
1. LOCATE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) PLATE. It appears in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the driver's side. The VIN Plate can be seen if you look through the windshield from the outside of the vehicle. The eighth character (from the left) is your engine code. THIS CHARACTER WILL BE A "Z" OR A "W".
2. Open your vehicle's hood.
Note: Use the Prop Rod to support the hood in the open position.
3. Locate the transmission fluid level dipstick which is near the front of the engine compartment wall. The dipstick has a black T-shaped handle marked TRANS FLUID.
Figure 1 shows the location of the dipstick if the 8th character of your (VIN) vehicle identification number is a Z.
Figure 2 shows the location of the dipstick if the 8th character of your (VIN) vehicle identification number is a W.
4. Remove the old dipstick from the fill tube and dispose of it.
CAUTION:
DISCARD THE DIPSTICK IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
5. Wipe the new dipstick clean and insert all the way into the transmission fill tube.
6. Close the vehicle's hood.
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.
