Campaign - Battery Cable Starter Motor Clearance
SERVICE UPDATEBulletin No.: 12289
Date: November 13, 2012
Subject: 12289 Service Update for Inventory and Customer Vehicles Starter Motor Damage Due to Positive Battery Cable and Starter Solenoid Terminal Contact Expires with Base Warranty
Models:
2013 Chevrolet Sonic
U.S. Vehicles Only
This service update includes vehicles in dealer inventory and customer vehicles that return to the dealership for any reason. This bulletin will expire at the end of the involved vehicle's New Vehicle Limited Warranty period.
Vehicles involved in this Service Update were placed on Stop Delivery Friday, November 9, 2012. Once the service procedure contained in this bulletin has been performed on the vehicle, the vehicle is removed from Stop Delivery and can be delivered to customers.
Purpose
This bulletin provides a service procedure to provide adequate clearance between the battery cable B+ terminal and the starter solenoid on certain 2013 model year Chevrolet Sonic vehicles, equipped with turbo engine (RPO LUV). These vehicles may have been produced with potential inadequate design clearance between the battery cable B+ terminal and the starter solenoid. If contact is made between the battery feed and the starter solenoid terminal, the starter motor circuit will be energized and the starter motor will begin to spin. However, the solenoid terminal for the drive pinion gear is not powered therefore, the pinion will not engage the flywheel ring gear and the engine will not be cranking. Within approximately 1 minute excessive heat will begin to melt certain internal starter motor components, the armature will freeze in position and the brush wires will fracture. When this occurs the motor is removed from the electrical circuit. This condition will be accompanied by smoke and odor.
This service procedure should be completed as soon as possible on involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory and customer vehicles that return to the dealer for any type of service during the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage period.
Vehicles Involved
All involved vehicles are identified by VIN in the Global Warranty Management System - Investigate Vehicle History Application. Dealership technicians should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.
Additionally, a list of involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory is available on the "Service Update Bulletin Information" link under the "Service" tab in GM GlobalConnect. Customer vehicles that return for service, for any reason, and are still covered under the vehicle's base warranty should also be checked for vehicle eligibility.
Parts Information
No parts are required for this Service Update.
Service Procedure
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in SI.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehiclein SI.
3. Locate the starter solenoid (1), positive battery cable terminal (2) and positive battery cable fastener (3).
4. Remove the positive battery cable fastener and the positive battery cable terminal (2), from the starter solenoid (1).
5. Using pliers bend the positive battery cable terminal tab (2) 90 degrees inward as shown in illustration.
Note
Do NOT allow the battery positive cable terminal tab to rotate clockwise on the starter solenoid while tightening the battery positive cable terminal fastener. Hold the positive battery cable terminal tab down (counter clockwise) while tightening the positive battery cable terminal fastener.
6. Install the positive battery cable terminal and fastener to the starter solenoid.
7. Tighten the positive battery cable terminal fastener to 9 Nm (80 lb in).
8. Lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.
9. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in SI.
Warranty Transaction nformation
Submit a transaction using the table below.
Dealer Program Responsibility
Whenever a vehicle subject to this service update enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your facility for service in the future, and the vehicle is still covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the service update correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Disclaimer