A/C HIGH SIDE SERVICE FITTING MISSING-REPLACE A/C HOSE ASSY.

SUBJECT: AIR CONDITIONING HIGH SIDE SERVICE FITTING

MODELS: 1988 Pontiac Sunbird and Buick Skyhawk with LT2 and C60

General Motors of Canada has determined that some 1988 Sunbird and Skyhawk models equipped with air conditioning are missing the High Side Service Fitting. This affects diagnostics of the air conditioning system if service is required.

General Motors concern in this instance is not with the operation of the air conditioning or with any other vehicle system. Rather, this bulletin addresses procedures Dealer service technicians will follow when diagnosing random air conditioning complaints in the future.

CONDITION

The orifice tube in the air conditioning system was moved; however, the High Side Service Fitting was not relocated on early built vehicles with the consequence that both the High Side and Low Side Service Fittings were on the low pressure side of the orifice tube.

If analysis of an air conditioning refrigeration complaint requires reading high side pressure in early built 1988 Sunbirds and Skyhawks with 2.OL (VIN Code "K") engines, it will be necessary to replace the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser with a new assembly, Part Number 22545477. The new assembly incorporates a Shrader-type valve fitting for reading the high side pressure.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1988 Sunbird and Skyhawk models with Air Conditioning built with the following breakpoints:

Plant From Through --------- ---- -------- PONTIAC Lordstown SOP J7533343 CHEVROLET Leeds SOP JK418980

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT

General Motors will replace the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser at the time first use of the High Side Service Fitting is required to diagnose an air conditioning refrigeration complaint. This special policy adjustment is effective through the last day of September, 1994.

This "Special Policy" bulletin should be filed in the three ring binder previously furnished to the Dealer by General Motors.

REIMBURSEMENT

Customer claims for reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted according to the instructions included with this bulletin. Owners must submit ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION that reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expense, a description of the repair, the date of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.

Reimbursement shall be only for the reasonable cost of parts and labour to replace the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser, including discharge/charge of the A/C system.

To receive reimbursement for unreimbursed expense due to a previous replacement of the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser, for the purpose of reading pressures at the High Side Service Fitting for diagnosis of A/C refrigerant system complaints, eligible owners must submit claims to an authorized GM Dealer no later than September 30, 1994.

NOTICE: Refer to GM Canada Service Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 1, Part 6 for specific procedures for Customer Reimbursement Verification.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts are available from GM Parts

Part Quantity/ Number Description Vehicle -------- ---------------------------- -------- 22545477 Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor 1 and Condenser

5887997 Seal, Suction Discharge Ports 2 (0-Rings at A/C Compressor)

Refrigerant-12 As Required

The following seals (0-Rings) are shipped already installed on the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser. However, if missing, use:

Part Quantity/ Number Description Vehicle ------- ------------------------------ ----------------- 3094216 O-Ring Connector - Refrigerant Max 1, If Req'd (at A/C Accumulator Outlet Fitting)

3094214 Seal, A/C Condenser Fitting Max 1, If Req'd (0-Ring) (at Condenser end of Discharge Line)

SERVICE PROCEDURE

To replace the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser, refer to the 1988 Pontiac Sunbird and Buick Skylark/Skyhawk Service Manual, Sections 1B and 1B1, for proper service information.

If the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser has been previously replaced with a correct part, a pressure fitting will be found on the high pressure "vapour" line which runs between the A/C Compressor and Condenser at a point near the Condenser inlet (see illustration). In that case, replacement of the Hose Assembly - A/C Compressor and Condenser under the terms of this Special Policy would not be necessary.

When taking low side pressure readings, use the Shrader Valve fitting at the Accumulator Assembly only. Do not use the extra fitting near the condenser on the Tube Assembly - A/C Evaporator (pipe conveying liquid Refrigerant-12 from the condenser to the evaporator). See illustration.

A. WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION ----------------------------- when performing the repair as outlined in this bulletin, the Dealer is requested to submit a warranty claim for credit as follows:

Labour Parts Failed Parts Operation Time Count Pt. Number Amount Number Description Allowance ----- ---------- ------ -------- ------------- --------- * 22545477 ** T4632 Replace Hose Asm .8

* Enter the total number of parts required to perform the repair. If the amount of Refrigerant-12 used involves a fractional part count, consider it as a parts count of one when calculating the total parts count.

** Enter the Dealer Net Price (in effect at the time of repair), plus 30% for the total parts required to perform the repair, including an allowance for the actual amount of Refrigerant-12 used in the repair.

Authorization is not required for claims meeting the criteria outlined in this bulletin.

B. OWNER REIMBURSEMENT ----------------------- Eligible owners must request reimbursement prior to Sept. 30, 1994. Claims for customer reimbursement of previously paid repairs are to be submitted as a Net Item Dollar Amount on a warranty claim as follows:

Labour Net Item Operation Dollar Number Amount ------ -------- T4631 $ xx.xx

Authorization (Approval Code "1M") is required on all claim submissions which fall into the Owner Reimbursement category. This labour operation is to be used for owner reimbursement only.

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.