CAMPAIGN:FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE TRACK
SUBJECT: PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN 93-C-57 FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE TRACK
MODELS AFFECTED: 1990-93 PONTIAC LeMANS
TO: ALL PONTIAC DEALERS
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.
If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the owner may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.
To avoid having to provide these burdensome solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
DEFECT INVOLVED:
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990-93 Pontiac LeMans model vehicles. Some of these vehicles lack sufficient lubrication in the guide track rail in which the shoulder belt carrier moves. Lack of lubrication may cause the carrier to exhibit a chattering noise, momentary binding while traveling, cycling back and forth, or stopping completely prior to reaching full travel position at either the windshield or the door lock pillar. These guide track malfunctions could prevent a person from using their motorized passive restraint system. However, a temporary latch plate (previously supplied with vehicle) may be installed in the track to allow for manual attachment of the should plate as shown in the vehicle's owners manual. In the event of a vehicle crash, an improperly belted occupant would have an increased risk of injury.
To prevent this possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to lubricate the shoulder belt guide track and ensure proper shoulder belt system operation. Customers will be advised of the periodic maintenance to lubricate the system and will be given a free tube of grease following the inspection/correction.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are certain 1990-93 Pontiac LeMans model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
UP TO AND YEAR PLANT BEGINNING INCLUDING ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1990 Pupyong LB300245 LB334503 1991 Pupyong MB300012 MB330029 1992 Pupyong NB300012 NB329784 1993 Pupyong PB300057 PB307617
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 purpose 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.
PARTS INFORMATION
Each involved dealer will be preshipped 1 CASE (contains FOUR 30cc/.875 oz. tubes) of lubricant during the week of February 13, 1995. Preshipped parts will be charged to the dealer's open account. Additional required parts 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).
Description Part Number Quantity/Vehicle ----------- ----------- ---------------- Lubricant, Shoulder Belt Guide Track 12346288 10 cc/.29 oz. (30 cc/.875 oz.) Tube of Nye Grease *- (1/3 of a tube) Shipped four tubes per case**
*We believe this source and their equipment to be reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of such equipment. General Motors does not endorse, indicate any preference for or assume any responsibility for the products or equipment from these firms or for any such items which may be available from other sources.
**Each case of lubricant will do three (3) vehicles, one tube to lubricate vehicles (1/3 tube per vehicle) and one (1) tube should be given to each owner of the vehicles.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicle by Pontiac Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
All unsold new 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, form this time forward.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory with no owner information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, 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, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
NOTICE: Do not clean the guide track rail assembly using an aerosol solvent or cleaning solution. If cleaning is necessary, the guide track rail may be wiped off with a clean dry cloth or cotton swab.
The following procedure should be performed on both the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition off and remove the key from the ignition switch,
2. Unbuckle the motorized shoulder belt by pushing the button on the buckle at the top of the belt in the guide track rail.
3. In the guide track rail (see Figure 1), locate the carrier slot as shown in Figure 2.
4. Attach short curved plastic extension tube on the grease applicator (approximately 1/3 of a tube of grease will be required per vehicle).
NOTICE: The recommended grease (General Motors Service Parts Organization #12346288) is required due to its lubricating properties.
5. Apply a small portion of the guide track grease at the 12 points over the length of the carrier slot shown in Figure 3.
6. On the guide track rail (shown in Figure 1) locate the secondary contact surface as shown in Figure 2.
7. Apply a small portion of guide track grease at the 5 points on the secondary contact surface of the guide track rail as shown in Figure 3.
8. Reconnect the motorized shoulder belt buckle to the buckle in the guide track rail and cycle several times to ensure proper distribution of lubricant and ensure proper operation of the shoulder belt system.
NOTICE: All performance tests of belt should be done with person sitting in respective seat being tested. This ensures proper function of belt under normal conditions.
9. If system does not operate properly refer to service bulletin 588101.
10. Install Campaign Identification Label.
11. Provide customer complimentary tube of lubricant.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle modified 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 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 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 Pontiac Dealer Supplies Catalog/Order Form as Form 7201-709).
CLAIM INFORMATION
A separate repair order must be used 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 Net Operation Code Operation Hours Amount Amt. --------- ------------------------------------- Lubricate Shoulder Belt Guide Track Rail 96 V9505 0.4 * **
Lubricate Rail & Replace One Rail/Motor Assembly 96 V9506 1.1 * ** Lubricate Rail & Replace Both Rail/Motor Assembly 96 V9507 1.8 * ** Lubricate & Replace Shoulder Belt Module 96 V9508 0.5 * ** Lubricate & Replace Retractor 96 V9509 0.6 * ** Owner Reimbursement For Previous Repair 96 T2025 0.2 * **
Claim for owner reimbursement - T2025 - must be submitted with the correct V-labor operation (V9505, V9506, V9507, V9508, or V9509) to remove vehicle from campaign list.
* The additional 0.1 hours credit for administrative services associated with this campaign, that dealerships receive, is already included with the regular labor hours.
** The amount identified in the "Net Amount" column should represent the sum of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 30% for 10cc (1/3 tube) of shoulder belt guide track grease used to perform the required repairs and also represent the sum of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 30% for one tube of shoulder belt guide track grease provided to the customer.
Parts required are to be listed in your warranty claim in the normal manner. Parts will be credited at dealer net plus 30% dealer handling allowance.
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 labor operation as outlined.
OWNER REIMBURSEMENT
Customer claims for reimbursement on previously paid repairs to correct a lack of sufficient guide track rail lubricant are to be submitted by August 31, 1995 (the time limitation for presenting the original paid receipt may be longer depending upon the law in your state). Owners must submit original documentation which reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair. Reimbursement amounts of $1,000.00 or less can be processed by the dealer. If the amount exceeds $1,000.00 an Owner Reimbursement Form 7201-039 must be forwarded to and processed by the Zone Office.
RECORDING COMPLETION
Repairs submitted for vehicles not involved in the 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 replay card for identification to their dealer at the time they bring in their vehicle to have the campaign performed.
Dear Pontiac LeMans Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990-93 Pontiac LeMans model vehicles. Some of these vehicles lack sufficient lubrication in the guide track rail in which the shoulder belt carrier moves. Lack of lubrication may cause the carrier to exhibit a chattering noise, momentary binding while traveling, cycling back and forth, or stopping completely prior to reaching full travel position at either the windshield or the door lock pillar. These guide track malfunctions could prevent a person from using their motorized passive restraint system. However, a temporary latch plate (previously supplied with vehicle) may be installed in the track to allow for manual attachment for the shoulder plate as shown in the vehicle's owners manual. In the event of a vehicle crash, an improperly belted occupant would have an increased risk of injury.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to lubricate the shoulder belt guide track and ensure proper shoulder belt system operation.
This service will be performed for you at no charge.
Your dealer will also provide you one tube of the SPECIAL lubricant used to lubricate the shoulder belt guide track. Accompanying this letter are instructions and illustrations to enable you to lubricate the guide track in the future. You should perform this procedure on your vehicle every 6 months/6,000 miles. Please retain these instructions in your glove box for future reference.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and so the dealer may order the necessary parts for the repair.
Instruction for making this inspection/correction have been sent to your Pontiac Dealer and parts are available. The labor time necessary to perform this service inspection/correction is approximately 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
If you have already encountered this condition and paid for all or part of the repair, you should contact your Pontiac dealer. When requesting reimbursement, you should present the dealer with your original paid receipt, verifying expenses incurred for such repair. Claims for reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted by August 31, 1995 (the time limitation for presenting the original paid receipt may be longer depending upon the law in your state).
Your Pontiac dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to ensure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. If, however, you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition on that date, or within five (5) days, we recommend you contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center by calling: 1-800-762-2737.
After contacting your dealer and the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition, without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC residents use 366-0123).
The enclosed Campaign Owner Reply Card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist inmaking the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid Owner 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 safety and continued satisfaction with our products.
PONTIAC DIVISION General Motors Corporation
Please inset these instructions in your glove box for future reference.
GUIDE TRACK LUBRICATING INSTRUCTIONS (To be performed every 6 months/6,000 miles whichever comes first.)
The following procedure should be performed on both the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition off and remove the key from the ignition switch.
2. Unbuckle the motorized shoulder belt by pushing the button on the buckle at the top of the belt in the guide track rail.
3. In the guide track rail (see Figure 1), locate the carrier slot as shown in Figure 2.
4. Attach short curved plastic extension tube on the grease applicator (approximately 1/3 of a tube of grease will be required).
NOTICE: The recommended grease (General Motors Service Parts Organization #12346288) is required due to its lubrication properties.
5. Apply a small portion of the guide track grease at the 12 points over the length of the carrier slot shown in figure 3.
6. On the guide track rail (shown in Figure 1) locate the secondary contact surface as shown in Figure 2.
7. Apply a small portion of guide track grease at the 5 points on the secondary contact surface of the guide track rail as shown in Figure 3.
8. Reconnect the motorized shoulder belt buckle to the buckle in the guide track rail and cycle several times to ensure proper distribution of lubricant.
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.
