CAMPAIGN: VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM-NO START CONDITION

MODELS AFFECTED 1988 PONTIAC FIREBIRD GTA EQUIPPED WITH VATS (RPO UA6)

TO: ALL PONTIAC DEALERS

General Motors has determined that an intermittent no-start condition may occur on certain 1988 Pontiac Firebird GTA model vehicles equipped with Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS). An inadequate wire connection in the lock cylinder can cause the VATS module to sense an incorrect resistance. This causes the VATS to start a four minute lock-out timer during which any further attempt to start the vehicle resets the timer. Most vehicles will start on the next attempt, provided the four minute lock-out timer has completed its cycle.

To correct this conditon, dealers are to inspect the lock cylinder connector for the presence of soldered terminals. If the terminals are not soldered (crimped only) the lock cylinder is to be replaced.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1988 Pontiac Firebird GTA model vehicles equipped with VATS and produced within the following VIN breakpoints:

UP TO PLANT BEGINNING AND INCLUDING ----- --------- -------------- Van Nuys JL217583 JL246000

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.

These listings may contain owner names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other reason is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Pontiac Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).

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 correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). To ensure these parts will be obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMSPO on a "C.I.O." order with no special instruction code, but on an advise code (2).

Quantity/ Description Part Number Vehicle ----------- ----------- ------- Lock, Steering Column Cylinder Set 26009609 1 As Required

Key, Ignition (Codes #1 - #15) 26012101 3 Of Proper Code Through As Required 26012115

SERVICE PROCEDURE

INSPECTION

1. Disconnect negative battery cable.

2. Remove hush panel (lower column).

3. Disconnect lock cylinder wiring connector at bottom of steering column.

4. Using a terminal pick, remove one of the lock cylinder wire terminals from wiring connector (Step 3) and inspect for presence of solder. If strands of wire are a silver/white color, terminal is soldered and lock cylinder replacement is not required.

Reinstall terminal into connector, reinstall connector, hush panel and negative battery cable. Install Campaign Identification Label. No further action is required.

If strands of wire are copper colored, terminal is not soldered (crimped only) and lock cylinder replacement is required. Replace lock cylinder according to instructions below.

LOCK CYLINDER REPLACEMENT

1. Remove steering wheel. See Figure 1.

2. Remove shaft lock and canceling cam. See Figure 2.

3. Disconnect turn signal switch harness connector on lower column (extra wire is needed to lift turn signal switch high enough to work around).

4. Remove black plastic turn signal wire protector on underside of column.

5. Remove turn signal switch attaching screws, lift switch enough to work around.

6. Remove lock cylinder. See Figure 3.

7. Cut lock cylinder wiring and wire retainer leg as shown in Figure 4, Points A & B.

8. Attach remaining wire extending from steering column cover to back of connector body on new lock cylinder. Wrap this temperary connection three (3) or four (4) times with electrical tape.

9. Pull on original lock cylinder wire connector at bottom of steering column and carefully feed new wire through lock cover opening and down through steering column. Connect new lock cylinder wiring connector.

10. Route wire as it originally was and insert wire retaining grommet. See Figure 5.

11. Reassemble by reversing above steps as applicable.

NOTICE: The shaft lock cover acts as a light shield and must be reinstalled. Failure to do so could result in erratic operation of the steering wheel radio controls in the presence of bright sunlight.

NOTICE: If grease is required to lubricate cancelling cam assembly, grease kit P/N 26001884 must be used. Using the wrong type grease could result in reduced durabiliy.

12. Determine electrical code of owners key by inserting it in key code reader on VATS Interrogator (J35628 or equivalent). Refer to 1988 Firebird Service Manual, page 8A-133, for additional information on operating VATS Interrogator.

13. Cut owner three (3) new ignition keys having same electrical code as original key using blank key supplied with new lock cylinder. Use ignition key P/N's 26012101 through 26012115 only (see Parts Information section of this bulletin).

14. Check all new keys for proper operation both mechanically and electrically.

15. Install Campaign Identification Label.

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, the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service and the date the vehicle was campaigned. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ballpoint pen. Install the label only on a clean, dry surface of the radiator baffle where it is readily visible (additional campaign labels are available on stationary order as Form 7901-709).

CLAIM INFORMATION

A separate repair order must be kept for each vehicle. A completed warranty claim is to be kept as a permanent record of completion.

DEALERS SHOULD SUBMIT WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CREDIT IN THEIR NORMAL MANNER WHEN THEY PERFORM THE SERVICE AS FOLLOWS: *Other Failure Labor Labor Labor Operation Code Operation Hours Hours --------- ---- --------- ----- ----- Inspect Lock Cylinder Wiring Terminals Only 96 V4950 0.3 0.1

Replace Lock Cylinder 96 V4952 1.0 0.1

*In addition, dealership will receive 0.1 hours credit for dealer administrative services associated with this campaign. The 0.1 hours allowance is to be entered in the "Other Labor Hours" field with each campaign repair listed for credit. This entry will not require authorization.

FAILURE CODE 96 MUST BE USED WITH THIS LABOR OPERATION.

Dealers will be credited via Warranty Document or Terminal Transmission, whichever is their normal method of submission for payment. Claim must contain all information required and should list the proper labor operation as outlined.

RECORDING COMPLETION

Repairs submitted for vehicles not involved in this campaign will not be paid.

Campaign completion will be recorded from "PROPERLY COMPLETED AND PAID WARRANTY CLAIMS." Owners are being asked to present the owner reply card for identification to their dealer at the time they bring in their vehicle to have the campaign performed.

Dear Pontiac Owner:

This notice is sent to inform you that Pontiac Division is conducting a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.

REASON FOR THE RECALL

General Motors has determined that an intermittent no-start condition may occur on certain 1988 Pontiac Firebird GTA model vehicles equipped with Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS). An inadequate wire connection in the lock cylinder can cause the VATS to sense an incorrect resistance. This causes the VATS to start a four minute lock-out timer during which any further attempt to start the vehicle resets the timer. Most vehicles will start on the next attempt, provided the four minute lock-out timer has completed its cycle.

WHAT WE WILL DO

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring on your vehicle, your dealer will inspect the lock cylinder, and if necessary replace it with a newly updated version. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. The labor time necessary to perform the inspection is approximately twenty (20) minutes. If replacement of the lock cylinder is necessary, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes will be required to service your vehicle. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.

The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary inspection/correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

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

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.