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Sunroof - Odor Coming From Sunshade

Classification:
BT98-037

Reference:
NTB99-010

Date:
March 15, 1999

Subject:
1995-99 MAXIMA FOUL ODOR COMING FROM SUNSHADE

APPLIED VEHICLE:
1995-99 MAXIMA (A32)-with sunroof

APPLIED VINS:
Vehicles built before JN1CA21A3XT106418
Vehicles built before JN1CA21D2XT217200
Vehicles built before JN1CA21AXXT704862
Vehicles built before JN1CA21D6XT812745
Vehicles built before JN1CA21A*XM301257
Vehicles built before JN1CA21D*XM408598

APPLIED DATE:
Vehicles built before November 19, 1998

SERVICE INFORMATION

If a 1995-99 Maxima exhibits a foul odor (dusty or musty type smell) when the sunroof sunshade is opened (with the sunroof glass closed) after the vehicle has soaked in the sun, the cause may be the sunshade material. The sunshade material may produce an odor when it is exposed to warm temperatures. This odor can remain trapped in the sunroof cavity and be released into the passenger compartment when the sunshade is opened.

Use the following service procedure to resolve this incident.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Park the car in the sun for one hour with the windows, sunroof glass and sunroof shade closed.

2. After one hour, enter the car and close the door.

3. Open the sunshade (with the sunroof glass closed) and check for the foul odor (dusty or musty type smell). If the odor is detected, proceed with step 4.

4. Replace the sunshade using the applicable procedure listed below:

Sunshade replacement for 1997 and earlier vehicles

Replace the sunshade using the procedure listed in the BT section of the appropriate service manual.

Sunshade replacement for 1998 and 1999 vehicles

NOTE:
Do not use service manual procedures on pages BT-35 and BT-36.

Replace the sunshade using the steps listed below:

A. Remove the headliner using the procedure on page BT-20 of the 1998 or 1999 Maxima Service Manual.

NOTE:
Do not remove the headliner from the vehicle, only lower it enough to perform the work on the sunroof rail assembly.

B. Loosen (but do not remove) the nuts/bolts that secure the front of the sunroof rail assembly to the vehicle.

C. Remove the nuts/bolts that secure the middle and rear of the sunroof rail assembly to the vehicle.

D. Lower the sunroof rail assembly enough to slide the sunshade rearward and out of the sunroof rail.

E. Install the new sunshade.

F. Re-position the sunroof rail assembly and re-tighten all the mounting nuts/bolts.

G. Re-install the headliner assembly in the reverse order it was removed.

NOTE:
Inform the customer that the new sunshade may temporarily emit a "New Part" odor (similar to a "New Car Smell") that will go away over time. To reduce time, suggest to the customer that when possible park the car with the sunroof glass tilted open to air out the new part.





PARTS INFORMATION

Submit a Primary Failed Part (PP) line using the claims coding as shown.





CLAIMS INFORMATION