Defect Involved

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists, in some 1992 Pontiac Bonneville SE model vehicles with console shift (Option D55). Tile 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.


DEALER ACTION

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.