US Version
CAMPAIGN: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT # 98026 - (08/18/1998)NOTE:
THE CANADIAN VERSION OF 98026 IS ALSO SHOWN.
PRODUCT CAMPAIGNS 98026 AUGUST, 1998
SUBJECT:
98026 - INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
MODELS:
1996-97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE MODELS
THE HIGHWAY SAFETY ACT, AS AMENDED, PROVIDES THAT EACH VEHICLE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THIS TYPE MUST BE ADEQUATELY REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AFTER THE CUSTOMER HAS TENDERED IT FOR REPAIR. A FAILURE TO REPAIR WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER TENDER OF A VEHICLE IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF FAILURE TO REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME.
IF THE CONDITION IS NOT ADEQUATELY REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THE CUSTOMER MAY BE ENTITLED TO AN IDENTICAL OR REASONABLY EQUIVALENT VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE OR TO A REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE LESS A REASONABLE ALLOWANCE FOR DEPRECIATION.
TO AVOID HAVING TO PROVIDE THESE BURDENSOME REMEDIES, EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO PROMPTLY SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH EACH CUSTOMER AND TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS YOU WILL SEE IN READING THE COPY OF THE DIVISIONAL LETTER THAT IS BEING SENT TO CUSTOMERS, THE CUSTOMERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IF THEIR DEALER DOES NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF THE MUTUALLY AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE. IF THE CONDITION IS NOT REMEDIED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THEY ARE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.
DEFECT INVOLVED
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THERE IS A DEFECT RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IN 1996 AND SOME 1997 J CARS. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S COMPUTER, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED
PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM. EVERY OCCUPANT SHOULD BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
A REAR-FACING CHILD SEAT SHOULD NEVER BE SECURED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL CHILDREN BE RESTRAINED PROPERLY IN THE REAR SEAT.
AFTER A DEPLOYMENT, THE AIR BAG INFLATORS, COMPUTER (SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE), STEERING WHEEL PAD, INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER, AND OTHER PARTS MUST BE REPLACED.
TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS CONDITION OCCURRING, DEALERS ARE TO REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM).
VEHICLES INVOLVED
INVOLVED ARE CERTAIN 1996-97 'J' MODEL VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN THE VIN BREAKPOINTS SHOWN.
NOTICE:
DEALERS SHOULD CONFIRM VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY THROUGH VISS (VEHICLE INFORMATION SERVICE SYSTEM) PRIOR TO BEGINNING CAMPAIGN REPAIRS.
INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. COMPUTER LISTINGS CONTAINING THE COMPLETE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, CUSTOMER NAME AND ADDRESS DATA HAVE BEEN PREPARED, AND ARE BEING FURNISHED TO INVOLVED DEALERS WITH THE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. THE CUSTOMER NAME AND ADDRESS DATA FURNISHED WILL ENABLE DEALERS TO FOLLOW-UP WITH CUSTOMERS INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. ANY DEALER NOT RECEIVING A COMPUTER LISTING WITH THE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN HAS NO INVOLVED VEHICLES CURRENTLY ASSIGNED.
THESE DEALER LISTINGS MAY CONTAIN CUSTOMER 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 THE FOLLOW-UP NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN.
PARTS INFORMATION
NO PARTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN ON THEIR VEHICLES BY GENERAL MOTORS (SEE COPY OF TYPICAL CUSTOMER LETTER SHOWN IN THIS BULLETIN - ACTUAL DIVISIONAL LETTER MAY VARY SLIGHTLY).
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
ALL UNSOLD NEW VEHICLES IN DEALERS' POSSESSION AND SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN MUST BE HELD AND INSPECTED/REPAIRED PER THE SERVICE PROCEDURE OF THIS CAMPAIGN BULLETIN BEFORE CUSTOMERS TAKE POSSESSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD.
CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED VEHICLES SOLD FROM YOUR VEHICLE INVENTORY, AND FOR WHICH THERE IS NO CUSTOMER INFORMATION INDICATED ON THE DEALER LISTING, ARE TO BE CONTACTED BY THE DEALER. ARRANGEMENTS ARE TO BE MADE TO MAKE THE REQUIRED CORRECTION ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN. THIS COULD BE DONE BY MAILING TO SUCH CUSTOMERS A COPY OF THE APPROPRIATE DIVISIONAL CUSTOMER LETTER ACCOMPANYING THIS BULLETIN. CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP CARDS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE, SINCE THE CUSTOMER MAY NOT AS YET HAVE RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION LETTER.
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.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
IMPORTANT:
THE TECH 2 DIAGNOSTIC TOOL MUST BE UPDATED WITH AUGUST 1998 CD # 15 OR LATER FOR REPROGRAMMING THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM).
1. RETURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE "ON" POSITION AND VERIFY THAT THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LAMP FLASHES SEVEN (7) TIMES AND THEN TURNS "OFF".
2. IF THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LAMP DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESCRIBED, PERFORM THE SIR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 9J OF THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL BEFORE PROCEEDING.
IMPORTANT:
DIAGNOSIS, REPAIRS AND/OR PARTS NECESSARY TO ASSURE THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY BEFORE STARTING THE CAMPAIGN SERVICE PROCEDURE SHOULD BE CHARGED UNDER REGULAR WARRANTY LABOR CODES AND TIMES.
3. CONNECT THE TECH 2 TO THE VEHICLE'S DATA LINK CONNECTOR (DLC) UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
4. TURN THE TECH 2 "ON" BY PRESSING THE POWER BUTTON.
5. PRESS "ENTER" TO ACCESS THE "MAIN MENU".
6. USE THE "UP" AND "DOWN" BUTTONS (ARROWS) ON THE TECH 2 TO MOVE THE HIGHLIGHT BAR TO THE SELECTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING STEPS.
7. SELECT "DIAGNOSTICS" ON THE "MAIN MENU" SCREEN AND PRESS "ENTER".
8. SELECT THE APPROPRIATE MODEL YEAR (1996 OR 1997) ON THE "VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION" SCREEN AND THEN PRESS "ENTER".
9. SELECT "PASSENGER CAR" ON THE "VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION" (TYPES) SCREEN AND PRESS "ENTER".
10. SELECT "BODY" ON THE "SYSTEM SELECTION MENU" SCREEN AND THEN PRESS "ENTER".
11. SELECT THE LETTER "J" ON THE "VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION" (CAR PRODUCT LINES) SCREEN AND PRESS "ENTER".
12. SELECT THE APPROPRIATE GM NAMEPLATE (CHEVROLET OR PONTIAC) ON THE "VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION" SCREEN AND PRESS "ENTER".
13. SELECT "SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT" ON THE "BODY" SCREEN AND PRESS "ENTER".
14. CONFIRM THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS STILL IN THE "ON" POSITION (ENGINE NOT RUNNING).
15. SELECT "PROGRAMMING" ON THE "SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT" SCREEN AND PRESS "ENTER".
16. SELECT "SDM REPROGRAMMING" ON THE "PROGRAMMING" SCREEN AND PRESS "ENTER".
17. TECH 2 WILL THEN DISPLAY: "KEY MUST BE IN THE ON POSITION. ENGINE MUST BE OFF".
18. PRESS THE "CONTINUE" SOFT KEY TO INITIATE REPROGRAMMING. TECH 2 WILL THEN DISPLAY: "WAITING FOR DATA". FOLLOWED BY: "PROCEDURE IN PROGRESS".
IMPORTANT:
IF THE VEHICLE HAS PREVIOUSLY HAD THE SDM REPLACED WITH AN UPDATED VERSION, THE TECH-2 WILL DISPLAY: "PROCEDURE NOT REQUIRED".
19. WHEN REPROGRAMMING IS COMPLETE, TECH 2 WILL DISPLAY: "REPROGRAMMING COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY".
20. AFTER REPROGRAMMING IS COMPLETE, PRESS THE "EXIT" BUTTON ON THE TECH 2.
21. TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO "OFF" AND DISCONNECT THE TECH 2 FROM THE VEHICLE'S DLC.
22. TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO "ON" AND VERIFY THAT THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LAMP FLASHES SEVEN (7) TIMES AND THEN TURNS "OFF". IF IT DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESCRIBED, PERFORM THE SIR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 9J OF THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL.
23. INSTALL THE GM CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL.
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 THE FIVE (5) DIGIT DEALER CODE OF THE DEALER PERFORMING THE CAMPAIGN SERVICE. THIS INFORMATION MAY BE INSERTED WITH A TYPEWRITER OR A BALL POINT PEN.
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 BY THE CUSTOMER FOR PERIODIC SERVICING. WHEN INSTALLING THE CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL, BE SURE TO PULL THE TAB TO ALLOW ADHESION OF THE CLEAR PROTECTIVE COVERING. ADDITIONAL CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABELS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM VISPAC INCORPORATED BY CALLING 1-800-269-5100 (MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. EST). ASK FOR ITEM NUMBER S-1015 WHEN ORDERING.
APPLY THE "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL" ONLY ON A CLEAN, DRY SURFACE.
CLAIM INFORMATION
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