CAMPAIGN: TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE DISENGAGEMENT

SUBJECT: RANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT

Models: 1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE, SE, SSE and 1991 Oldsmobile 98 Touring Sedan With Console Shift

TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS

General Motors of Canada has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE, SE, SSE and 1991 Oldsmobile 98 Touring Sedan model vehicles with console shift. The transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the shift control cable bracket (at the transaxle) resulting in loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation. The gear position indicated by the selector may differ from the actual gear position of the transaxle with the transaxle remaining in the position last selected prior to cable disengagement.

If this occurs, a number of possible conditions can exist. Unless the transaxle is actually in the park or neutral position, the engine cannot be started.

If the driver places the gear shift selector in the park position without setting the parking brake, the transaxle may not actually be in the park position and the vehicle may move if it is on an inclined surface. Also, if the driver places the gear shift selector in a drive or the reverse position without turning off the engine, the transaxle may not be in the position indicated and the vehicle may move in the opposite direction. In either case, unexpected vehicle movement could result in an accident without prior warning.

To correct this condition, dealers are to install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip on suspect vehicles as per the Vehicles Involved and Service Procedure sections of this bulletin.

VEHICLES INVOLVED:

Involved are certain 1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE, SE, SSE and 1991 Oldsmobile 98 Touring Sedan model vehicles with console shift produced within the following VIN breakpoints: Up To And Year Model Plant Beginning Including ---- ----- ----- --------- --------- 1991 Bonneville LE, SE, SSE Wentzville M1223539 M1246942 1991 98 Touring Sedan Orion M4306391 M4353316

NOTE: Not all vehicles within this range with console shift are affected. Please refer to your dealer listing or check for campaign involvement utilizing the Computerized Recall Information System (CRIS) or the Dealer Communication System (DCS).

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 perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometres traveled, 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, you are to ensure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:

Refer 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:

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.

PARTS INFORMATION:

Two retaining clips for each vehicle involved will be shipped to involved dealers by General Motors of Canada Limited-Oshawa on a no-charge basis.

PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:

Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:

Repair Code Description Time Allowance ----------- ----------- -------------- 2A Inspect and install 2 retaining clips . 3

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. Set parking brake and open hood.

2. Make sure transaxle shift control cable is properly seated in the shift control cable bracket (see illustration, view A). Insert two retaining clips between the shift cable body and cable retaining tabs (as per View A). This will force the tabs outward so that the cable is firmly locked to the bracket.

3. Install Campaign Identification Label.

4. Close hood and release parking brake.

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:

General Motors of Canada has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE, SE, SSE and 1991 Oldsmobile 98 Touring Sedan model vehicles with console shift. The transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the shift control cable bracket (at the transaxle) resulting in loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation. The gear position indicated by the selector may differ from the actual gear position of the transaxle with the transaxle remaining in the position last selected prior to cable disengagement.

If this occurs, a number of possible conditions can exist. Unless the transaxle is actually in the park or neutral position, the engine cannot be started.

If the driver places the gear shift selector in the park position without setting the parking brake, the transaxle may not actually be in the park position and the vehicle may move if it is on an inclined surface. Also, if the driver places the gear shift selector in a drive or the reverse position without turning off the engine, the transaxle may not be in the position indicated and the vehicle may move in the opposite direction. In either case, unexpected vehicle movement could result in an accident without prior warning.

To correct this condition, dealers are to install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip on suspect vehicles.

Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.

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.

Subsequent to contacting your dealer, further assistance, if required, may be obtained from our Customer Assistance Centre, toll free, by calling 1-800-263-3777 (English), or 1-800-263-7854 (French).

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.