CAMPAIGN: STEERING WHEEL FRACT (INSTALL REINFORCEMENT PLATE)
SUBJECT: STEERING WHEEL FRACTURE
MODELS: 1991 Isuzu Impulse with RPO AJ3 1992 Geo Storm
TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS, SATURN, SAAB, ISUZU DEALERS
General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1991 Isuzu Impulse equipped with driver side air bag (RPO AJ3) and 1992 Geo Storm model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which the steering wheel centre hub may fracture during certain types of frontal and near frontal vehicle crashes. This would reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle to possibly avoid any second collision and could reduce the crash protection of the steering system and driver-side air bag.
To correct this condition, dealers are to install a reinforcement plate to the steering wheel hub.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are CERTAIN 1991 Isuzu Impulse with RPO AJ3 and 1992 Geo Storm model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through ---- ----- ----- ---------- ---- ------- 1991 Isuzu Impulse Fujisawa "7" SOP EOP 1992 Geo Storm Fujisawa "7" SOP N7601454
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 kilometres traveled, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your dealership for service, you are to ensure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory 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 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. 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 ----------- ----------- ---------------- 10227352 Steering Wheel Hub Reinforcement Kit 1 Contains: 1 Reinforcement Plate 1 Revised Steering Wheel Nut 1 Instruction Sheet
PARTS AND LABOUR 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 Steering Wheel Reinforcement Kit .6
Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 30% to cover parts handling.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTICE:
Failure to follow proper SIR module precautionary procedures could result in possible air bag deployment, personal injury and/or unneeded SIR system repairs. See section 9J of the appropriate service manual for additional and more detailed precautions than those noted in this service procedure.
1. Disconnect and tape negative battery cable terminal before servicing supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTICE: THIS SIR MODULE IS EQUIPPED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE (DERM) WHICH ASSURES SUFFICIENT ENERGY TO DEPLOY THE SIR SHOULD IGNITION VOLTAGE BE LOST. THE DERM CAN MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT VOLTAGE TO CAUSE DEPLOYMENT FOR UP TO 10 MINUTES AFTER THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED. FOR THIS REASON, WAIT AT LEAST TEN MINUTES BEFORE PROCEEDING TO STEP 2 TO ALLOW SIR TO DE-ENERGIZE.
2. Turn steering wheel 90 degrees from neutral position and, front lower side of steering wheel, remove two bolts securing SIR module to steering wheel (see Figure 1).
3. Turn steering wheel 90 degrees to opposite side of neutral position and remove remaining two bolts (see Figure 1).
4. Carefully remove SIR module and, while supporting the module (Figure 2), carefully unhook lead wire from back side of SIR module (see Figure 3).
5. Unlock SIR connector by lifting connector lock (see Figure 3) and then disconnect SIR connector.
6. Set aside SIR module with face side up.
NOTICE: When carrying a live SIR module, make sure bag and interior trim cover are pointed away from you. Never carry SIR module by wires or connector on underside of module. Also, when placing a live (undeployed) SIR module on a bench or other surface, always face bag and trim cover up, away from surface. These precautions are necessary so in the unlikely event of an accidental deployment, the bag will deploy with a minimal chance of injury.
7. Remove two steering wheel centre plate screws and the horn harness connector bracket screw from steering wheel centre plate (save all three screws).
8. Remove horn harness connector bracket (see Figure 4).
9. Remove ignition key and lock steering wheel.
10. Remove steering wheel nut. Nut will not be reused.
11. Position reinforcement plate from kit to steering wheel centre plate. Figure 4 shows proper positioning of reinforcement plate.
12. Set horn harness connector bracket on plate. Be certain L-portion of horn harness connector bracket is positioned properly on reinforcement plate as shown in Figure 4.
13. Install three screws removed in step 7 to reinforcement plate. Torque to 2.5 N.m (22 lb. in.).
14. Install new steering wheel nut (included in kit) and tighten to 34 N.m (25 lb. ft.). Insure horn wiring harness is in place as shown in Figure 4 so that wiring harness is not pinched.
NOTICE: A pinched wiring harness relay cause horn to sound continuously.
15. While carefully supporting SIR module (Figure 2), reconnect SIR connector and lock SIR connector back into place with connector lock (Figure 3). Be certain locks of SIR connectors are secured.
16. Rehook lead wire to back side of SIR module.
17. Turn steering wheel 90 degrees from neutral position and, from lower side of steering wheel, install two bolts removed in step 3. Torque to 5 N.m (44.3 lb. in.). Turn steering wheel 90 degrees to opposite side of neutral and repeat for two bolts removed in step 2.
18. Reconnect negative battery cable terminal.
19. Set ignition switch to 'ON' while watching SIR warning light. Light should flash 6 to 9 times and then go off. If lamp does not operate correctly, refer to section 9J, Chart C of appropriate model year service manual.
20. 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.
COPY OF CUSTOMER LETTER
VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE
Dear General Motors Customer:
General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1991 Isuzu Impulse equipped with driver side air bag and 1992 Geo Storm model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which the steering wheel centre hub may fracture during certain types of frontal and near frontal vehicle crashes. This would reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle to possibly avoid any second collision and could reduce the crash protection of the steering system and driver-side air bag.
To correct this condition, your dealer will install a reinforcement plate to the steering wheel hub.
This service will be provided for you at no charge.
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
2D15 JD:sl
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.
