Recall - Defroster Lever Retainer Bracket
NUMBER: WZT-42DATE: October 19, 1990
APPLICABILITY:
1990MY Legacy Sedans and Station Wagons
SUBJECT:
Defroster Lever Retainer Bracket
Subaru of America has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990MY Subaru Legacy Sedans and Station Wagon Models.
The defect is due to the defroster lever pin becoming dislocated from the defroster shutter door which allows the shutter door to close and prevents the defroster from operating.
To prevent this potential condition from occurring, it is necessary to install a retainer bracket to prevent the defroster lever from becoming dislocated. There are two different retainer brackets available for use in this recall. The type of retainer bracket used depends on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle. Please refer to the detailed information in the Service Procedure.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are 1990MY Subaru Legacy Sedans and Station Wagons within the VIN ranges.
1990MY VIN Range (last 8 characters):
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to the dealers with this bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.
These listings may contain owner 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. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter and a two-part Recall Certification/Repair Order Form to the owners of all potentially affected vehicles. The Owner Notification mailing is scheduled for early November, 1990. A copy of the Owner Notification Letter and a sample two-part Recall Certification /Repair Order Form are included in this bulletin.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward. When you are presented a two-part Recall Certification/Repair Order Form by a Subaru owner, follow the instructions presented in the Service Procedure section of this bulletin.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle.
Owner of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory with the VIN range listed are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements should be made to make the required correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
PARTS INFORMATION
Each Subaru Dealer will receive an initial quantity of the two types of retainer brackets P/N's 72051 AAl 20 and 72051AA130 under separate cover within 10 days of receipt of this bulletin.
Additional quantities of the retainer brackets P/N 72051AA120 and 72051AA130 are available through your normal parts supply.
Parts Pricing:
SERVICE PROCEDURE - Defroster Lever Retainer Bracket
1) Verify that the vehicle is within the affected VIN ranges.
2) Check for the presence of a "Campaign Identification Label" indicating that the repair WZT-42 was completed or check heater unit for green or blue identification mark on lot number label. Units with this mark do not require further modification.
3) Ensure that the defrost mode is operational by turning the ignition key on (engine off), depressing the "DEF" button, selecting a high fan speed, and checking for air flow at the base of the windshield inside the vehicle. Vehicles not exhibiting this airflow must be further diagnosed and corrected before proceeding with this modification. This modification is intended to prevent possible future failures of the defrost lever linkage, not to correct any existing conditions with the system.
4) To perform the modification, turn ignition switch on, engine off. For manual control units, depress heat button. For automatic climate systems, set the temperature indicator to 85 degrees F.
NOTE:
Retainer brackets are available in two different configurations to accommodate different linkage styles. Install the appropriate retainer bracket.
5) A. Vehicles without a link cover.
These vehicles will require a metal retainer bracket (screw on) measuring approximately 4-1/2" x 3/4".
1. Remove the screw for the mode door motor.
2. Install the retainer bracket onto the model door motor bracket and into the hole in the defrost lever. Reinstall the screw. Ensure that the retainer pin is inserted into the defrost door lever hole.
B. Vehicles with a link cover.
These vehicles will require a plastic and metal retainer bracket (clip on)
1. Install the retainer bracket onto the link cover from underneath the link cover as shown. Ensure that the retainer bracket is fully seated and that the plastic side of the retainer bracket faces the defrost door lever.
6) After installation of either type of retainer bracket, ensure that no contact exists with other components that may restrict operation. Confirm proper operation by checking the mode door, fan operation and outlet air at each corresponding position.
7) Turn ignition switch off.
8) Apply a "Campaign Identification Label" properly filled out to the vehicle.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label." Each label provides a space to include the five digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen.
Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be affixed to the radiator core support panel in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in for periodic servicing by the owner. Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean dry surface.
A quantity of 50 blank labels are being provided to each dealer with this bulletin.
CLAIM PROCESSING INFORMATION - REIMBURSEMENT
Credit for the performance of the retainer bracket installation per the Service Procedure will be provided from the two-part Recall Certification/Repair Order Form. Therefore, it is very important that all information on the form be complete and correct.
All claims for reimbursement should follow the procedures outlined below.
You must complete the repairing dealer section of the two-part Recall Certification/Repair Order Form and remove and retain the first copy for your records.
Star System Dealers may enter the applicable information using the Campaign Claim (RY) routine.
Non Star System dealers will be reimbursed upon submission of the remaining copy of the Recall Certification/Repair Order Form to your Distributor/Region in an envelope with postage prepaid.
If additional repairs to the defroster system are necessary as described in Step 3 of the Service Procedure, credit for such will be provided upon the submission of an MSA 400A Warranty Claim form using override code WZT-42.
Dealers will be credited with 0.2 hours warranty labor rate plus dealer cost and handling allowance for the retainer bracket installation based on the two-part Recall Certification/Repair Order Form. Retail states will receive reimbursement at retail cost.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MATERIALS
OWNER LETTER
Subaru of America
Subaru Plaza
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
Dear Subaru Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Subaru of America has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990MY Subaru Legacy Sedan and Station Wagon models.
The defect is due to the defroster lever pin becoming dislocated from the defroster shutter door which results in the defroster not operating.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced visibility under high humidity and rainy/winter driving situations. As a temporary measure, your air conditioning system (if installed in your vehicle) could be used to clear the windows of moisture until the actual repair is performed.
In order to remedy this condition a retainer bracket will be installed on the defroster level pin by your Subaru dealer at no charge.
The retainer bracket is available at your Subaru Dealer now. You should make an appointment with your Subaru Dealer to have the repair procedure performed.
The actual labor time to perform this repair procedure is approximately 12 minutes, although additional repair time may be required if the defroster shutter door is out of position. However, please plan to leave your vehicle at your Subaru Dealer for the full day of your scheduled appointment to allow the dealer some flexibility in scheduling other customers.
You must present the enclosed two-part Recall Certification/Repair Order Form to your Subaru Dealer at the time this inspection/repair procedure is performed. If you lose this form, please contact the Owner Service Department of the Subaru Distributor/Region responsible for your area shown on the map on the back of this letter. You will then be sent a new form. If you are no longer in possession of this vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us so that we may update our records.
If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable period of time, you should contact the Subaru Distributor/Region responsible for your area. If your complaint is not resolved, you may contact Subaru of America, Owner Service Department at the above address or you may wish to notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, Washington, D.C. 20590 or call to toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393 (Washington, D.C. area residents may call 366-0123).
We regret any inconvenience this matter may cause you. However, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and your continued satisfaction with our products.
WE URGE YOU TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS REPAIR PROCEDURE PERFORMED.