CAMPAIGN: POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CORROSION. GMC Truck GMC K Pickup

SUBJECT: POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CORROSION

MODELS: 1996 C/K PICKUPS WITH 6.5L DIESEL ENGINES (L56/L65)

THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 96-C-13 ISSUED JANUARY, 1996. THE BULLETIN GROUP HAS BEEN REVISED FROM 90 - ACCESSORIES TO 64 - ENGINE ELECTRICAL.

ALL COPIES OF 96-C-13 SHOULD BE DESTROYED.

Some early built 1996 C/K pickups equipped with 6.5L diesel engines (L56/L65) have positive battery cables that could corrode at the starter motor terminal. This corrosion could eventually result in the cable separating from the terminal causing a "no start" condition. The corrosion occurs because the terminal-cable connection did not receive the specified dip solder corrosion protection.

To correct this condition, dealers will install a new positive battery cable having a dip soldered terminal-cable connection.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are CERTAIN 1996 C/K pickups equipped with 6.5L diesel engines (L56/L65) built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Year Model Plant Code From Through ---- ----- ---------- ----- ------- 1996 C/K F TF000006 TF001690 1996 C/K E TE501873 TE502447

The specific vehicles involved in this campaign have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Computer Listings. These listings are furnished to all involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) or SERVICENET prior to beginning campaign repairs.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

All unsold 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, from this time forward.

Owners of vehicles recently sold from your 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 enters your 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.

If the name and address of the owner of an involved vehicle was unavailable to Pontiac-GMC Division at the time of campaign initiation, the dealer must determine the owner's name and address from the dealership sales records. Please provide this information directly on the second copy of the listing next to the applicable VIN so that our records may be updated and the appropriate notification mailed to the owner. This second copy should then be submitted to the address listed below in the previously supplied yellow campaign envelopes.

Pontiac-GMC Division General Motors Corporation 101 Union Street Plymouth, Michigan 48170

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Pontiac-GMC Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin). A listing of owner names and addresses has been furnished to the involved dealers to enable dealers to follow up with owners involved in this campaign. This listing 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 this campaign.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Note: Preset radio stations and other electronic devices should be noted prior to disconnecting battery cable.

1. Disconnect positive cables from battery (Figure 1, Items 1 & 2), separate and locate cable to starter (Item 2).

2. Remove right fender shield.

3. Remove cable to frame brackets.

4. Remove front starter support bolt.

5. Remove starter bolts.

6. Remove positive cable from starter.

7. Remove cable and position replacement cable in vehicle.

8. Install positive cable to starter.

9. Install starter bolts, tighten to 45 Nm (35 lbs. ft.).

10. Install front starter support bolt, torque to 32 Nm (24 lbs. ft.).

11. Install cable to frame brackets.

12. Install right fender shield.

13. Connect both positive batter-v cables to battery, tighten to 15 Nm (11 lbs. ft.).

Important: When installing the positive battery cable to the starter solenoid, the inner nut on the solenoid battery terminal must be tightened before the battery cable and other leads are installed. Failure to do so may result in solenoid terminal and solenoid damage.

14. Reset all electronic devices as noted in Step 1.

15. Install Campaign Identification Label.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicle listing" prior to ordering requirements. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. An emergency requirement should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

Part Number Description Quantity ----------- ----------- --------

12190974 Cable, Battery Positive 1

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Dealers should submit a warranty claim on each vehicle completed under this campaign. Labor * Labor Description CC FC Op Hrs ----------- -- -- ----- --------

Install Positive Battery Cable MA 96 V9845 0.7

* For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours".

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 and five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information must be inserted with a typewriter or ball point pen. This label is to be used in conjunction with the clear protective plastic cover provided with the Campaign Identification Labels.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in for periodic servicing by the owner.

Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

Additional Campaign Identification Labels and covers are available in sheets of 49 by calling VISPAC, Incorporated at 1-800-269-5100 (Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST).

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

Procedures covering this campaign are outlined in Section IV of your dealership's "WINS Claims Processing Manual".

Dear GMC Customer:

As a valued customer, your complete satisfaction with your GMC truck is our goal. In keeping with this goal, we want to let you know that we have discovered a problem that could affect your vehicle and we want to take care of it at no charge to you.

REASON FOR THIS RECALL

WHAT WE WILL DO

To be absolutely sure that your vehicle is to specifications, your GMC dealer will install a new positive battery cable having a dip soldered terminal-cable connection.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Instructions for performing this service have been sent to your GMC dealer, and parts are available. Please contact your GMC dealer to arrange a service date as soon as possible. This procedure will take about 45 minutes to complete, but you should ask how much additional time your dealer will need to schedule and process your vehicle.

The enclosed postage paid owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please furnish us the complete name and address of the person you sold or traded your vehicle to and return the card 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 product.

Pontiac-GMC Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

Object Number: 81982 Size: FS

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.