CAMPAIGN: GMSPO RUNNING BOARDS INHIBITED JACKING PROCESS. GMC Truck Sonoma Pickup

SUBJECT: GMSPO RUNNING BOARDS: INHIBITED JACKING PROCESS AND LACK OF SUPPORT AT REAR END CAPS

MODELS: 1995 S/T JIMMYS WITH GMSPO RUNNING BOARDS

On CERTAIN 1995 Jimmys with GMSPO running boards, the rear end caps may not support an individual's weight if the very end-most "balloon" portion is stepped on. Forces greater than approximately 250 pounds could cause the end cap to detach from the running board and the vehicle. Also, the installation of the running board severely inhibits jacking of the vehicle using the original equipment jack. The running boards "widen" the vehicle and this greatly reduces the diameter of the arc that the jack handle can travel in. This makes manual jacking of the vehicle difficult. These conditions could result in customer dissatisfaction.

To correct this condition, it will be necessary to install a running board enhancement kit. This kit contains revised rear end-cap supports, a jack handle extension, and new jacking and jack handle stowage instructions.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are CERTAIN 1995 2-door and 4-door S/T Jimmys equipped with GMSPO running boards that were sold by GMSPO to dealers from November 16, 1994 through January 17, 1995. Attached to this campaign is a listing of the involved running boards sold by GMSPO to your dealership, according to our records. Dealers not receiving a listing have no involved sales at this time.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

Your dealership sales records require inspection to determine the name and address of purchasers of these accessory running board kits.

If the purchaser is the owner of the vehicle, you should send the owner a copy of the attached owner letter requesting their truck be brought in for inspection per Campaign Bulletin 95-C-44.

If the purchaser is NOT the owner of the vehicle (e.g., body shop, independent repair shop, etc.), you should contact the repair facility and obtain the owner's name and address so you can send the owner a copy of the attached owner letter requesting their truck be brought in for inspection per Campaign Bulletin 95-C-44.

Since this recall involves only accessory running board kits, and GMC Truck records do not contain the customer name and address, it is very important that each involved dealer take the necessary time required to responsibly identify customers who have purchased these accessory running boards.

All unsold 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 vehicle inventory that have this GM running board accessory are to be contacted by the dealer and arrangements made to make the required correction 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.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Your dealership sales records require inspection to determine the purchasers of these running board kits. After determining the name and address of the purchasers, you should send each owner a copy of the attached owner letter requesting their truck be brought in for inspection per Campaign Bulletin 95-C-44.

If the subject running board kit was sold to a repair facility rather than to the vehicle owner, contact that facility to obtain the name and address of the vehicle owner. Send that customer a copy of the attached owner notification letter.

Since this recall involves an accessory part, and GMC Truck records do not contain the customer name and address, it is very important that each involved dealer take the necessary time required to responsibly identify customers who have purchased these running boards.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Install the running board enhancement kit as specified on the instruction sheets contained within the kit.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operation (GMSPO). To ensure parts are obtained as soon as possible, order them from GMSPO on a C.I.O. order with no special instruction code but order under an advise code (2). All Goodwrench parts system test dealers should order on a "VIP" order.

Part Number Description Quantity

12362664 (4 Door) 1 Kit-Jack Handle Ext And RR End Cap Supports 12362665 (2 Door) 1 Kit-Jack Handle Ext And RR End Cap Supports

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Dealers should submit a warranty claim on each vehicle completed under this campaign.

Labor Operation **Time Cause Number Description Allowance Code ------------------------------------------------------------------------- T2610 *RECORD SEARCH FOR 0.3 96 OWNER NAME & ADDRESS Times Total Time Allowance Includes Time Number Of Names Searching For Purchaser's Name And Addresses And Addresses, Expense Incurred Found Mailing The Owner Letter

T2611 INSTALL KIT 0.5 hours 96 Jack Handle Extension and Rear End Cap Support

* After all records have been searched, submit one claim for the total time. The total time should be 0.3 hours times the total number of names and addresses found. The total time for T2610 should be entered in the Net Amount Column, Code "M".

** For dealer to receive Administrative Time Allowance associated with this campaign, add 0.1 hour to the Labor Operation Time Allowance.

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 five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information must be inserted with a typewriter or ball point pen. This label is to be used in conjunction with the clear protective plastic cover provided with the Campaign Identification Labels.

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.

Additional Campaign Identification Labels and covers are available in sheets of 49 by calling VISPAC, Incorporated at 1-800-269-5100 (Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST).

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

Procedures covering this campaign are outlined in Section V of your dealership's "GMC Truck Warranty Claims Processing Manual" #P9119 Rev. 2/94.

Dear GMC Truck Customer:

As a valued customer, your complete satisfaction with your GMC truck is our goal. In keeping with this goal, we want to let you know that we have discovered a condition that could affect your vehicle and we want to take care of it at no charge to you.

On CERTAIN 1995 Jimmys with GMSPO running boards, such as yours, the rear end caps may not support an individual's weight if the very end-most "balloon" portion is stepped on. Forces greater than approximately 250 pounds could cause the end cap to detach from the running board and the vehicle. Also, the installation of the running boards severely inhibits the jacking of the vehicle using the original equipment jack. The running boards "widen" the vehicle and this greatly reduces the diameter of the arc that the jack handle can travel in. This makes manual jacking of the vehicle difficult. These conditions could result in customer dissatisfaction.

To correct these conditions, we will install a running board enhancement kit. This kit contains revised rear end-cap supports, ajack handle extension, and new jacking and jack handle stowage instructions.

Instructions for performing this service have been sent to your GMC Truck dealer, and parts are available. Please contact your GMC dealer to arrange a service date as soon as possible. This procedure will take about 30 minutes to complete, but you should ask how much additional time your dealer will need to schedule and process your vehicle.

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

GMC TRUCK DIVISION General Motors Corporation

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.