CAMPAIGN: NO TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH
MODELS: 1984 Firenza With 3.43 Ratio (FW9) Automatic Transaxle
TO: ALL AFFECTED DEALERS:
DEFECT INVOLVED
Some 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza models equipped with optional 3.43 (FW9) transaxle were built without a governor pressure switch in the auxiliary valve body. This prevents lock-up of the torque converter clutch and therefore lowers fuel economy.
To prevent the possibility of this occurring, Dealers are to replace the auxiliary valve body on all involved vehicles.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Some 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza models equipped with 3.43 ratio (FW9) transaxle built for Canadian usage between the following VIN breakpoints:
Assembly Beginning Up To And Year Model Plant VIN Including ---- ----- ----- --- --------- 1984 Firenza Leeds EK305327 EK363637
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:
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.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your Dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling 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 modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:
Refor 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:
The auxiliary valve body assembly, part number 52355121 is to be obtained from the Zone Office. One (1) per vehicle. The following part numbers are to be obtained through the normal channels.
DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER ----------- ----------- Cover Gasket 8643573 Transmission Fluid 992799
PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:
Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or RAPID terminal transmission in accordance with the following:
Repair Code Operation Time Allowance ----------- --------- --------------- 2A Replace Auxiliary 1.3 Valve Body
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:
1. Raise and support car.
2. Remove left front wheel and tire.
3. Remove five (5) screws securing lower left air deflector to body and remove air deflector..
4. Remove transaxle valve body cover screws (leave two (2) screws finger tight) tap the cover with a rubber mallet to break adhesion of gasket.
5. Remove cover and disconnect wiring harness from case connector.
6. Loosen auxiliary valve body bolts marked "G", "F" and "A" and remove bolts marked "G" and "F" as shown in Figure 1.
7. Remove bolt "A" and auxiliary valve body together (bolt "A" holds valve in place).
8. Remove clip from bolt "A" location of service kit auxiliary valve body. Position auxiliary valve body so valve will not fall out and turn bolt around and reinstall into valve body in bolt "A" location.
9. Install auxiliary valve body with the bolt installed in Step 8, onto control valve/pump assembly.
10. Install bolts "G" into auxiliary valve body and tighten to 11 N.m (8 lbs.ft.).
11. Coat bolt "F" with thread sealer and install bolt "F" and tighten to 24 N.m (18 lbs. ft.).
12. Tighten bolt "A" to 11 N.m (8 lbs. ft.).
13. Reinstall wiring harness and connect to case connector.
14. Install valve body cover gasket and cover and tighten valve body cover screw to 16 N.m (12 lbs. ft.).
15. Install air deflector.
16. Install left front wheel and tire.
17. Lower car.
18. Refill transaxle to proper level. Approximately one (1) pint of fluid.
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:
1984 Oldsmobile Firenza models equipped with optional 3.43 (FW9) transaxle were built without a governor pressure switch in the auxiliary valve body. This prevents lock-up of the torque converter clutch and therefore lowers fuel economy.
Please contact your GM dealer to arrange a service appointment. This modification will be performed at no cost to you.
The labour time required to install the governor pressure switch is one and a half hours. Please ask your Dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be necessary to process your vehicle.
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.
Further assistance, if required, may be obtained from the General Motors Zone Office nearest you. Your vehicle Owner's Manual provides the location and phone number of each respective Zone Office.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken the action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Your prompt cooperation would be appreciated.
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.
