For 1990-2009 cars

# CAMPAIGN: FRONT SHOULDER BELT SEW STOP STUCK IN RETRACTOR

#### Models: 1990-1993 Buick Riviera, 1990-1991 Cadillac Eldorado, 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and Toronado Trofeo

#### TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS

General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990-1993 Buick Riviera, 1990-1991 Cadillac Eldorado, 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and Toronado Trofeo model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition where the front outer shoulder belt web sew stop may become stuck in the retractor. This can occur when the web sew stop is jammed into or passes through the retractor web guide. As a result, the belt can be difficult to pull out of the retractor, and some occupants may even be unable to fasten the belt. In the event of a vehicle crash, unbelted occupants are at a significantly greater risk of injury than those who are wearing seat belts properly.

To correct this condition, dealers are to install webbing stop button if the customer requests repair.

#### VEHICLES INVOLVED:

#### IMPORTANT: NO FOLLOW-UP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. CORRECTION IS ONLY TO BE MADE AT THE CUSTOMERS' REQUEST.

Involved are certain 1990-1993 Buick Riviera, 1990-1991 Cadillac Eldorado, 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and Toronado Trofeo model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through 1990 Buick Riviera Hamtramck U LU400001 LU422526 1991 Buick Riviera Hamtramck U MU400001 MU413168 1992 Buick Riviera Hamtramck U NU400001 NU412585 1993 Buick Riviera Hamtramck U PU400001 PU404555 1990 Cadillac Eldorado Hamtramck U LU600001 LU622291 1991 Cadillac Eldorado Hamtramck U MU600001 NW616213 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo Hamtramck U LU300025 LU315022 1991 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo Hamtramck U MU300013 MU308053 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo Hamtramck U NU300013 NU306436

#### NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 45 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAID.

All affected vehicles have been identified by the VIN listing provided to involved dealers with this bulletin. Any dealer not receiving a listing was not shipped any of the affected vehicles.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY:

All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the Service Procedure of this Campaign Bulletin before owners take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometres traveled, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory with no owner information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner may not as, yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used 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.

#### CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:

Refer to Section 4 of the Service Policies and Procedures Manual for the detailed procedure on handling Product Campaigns. Dealers are requested to complete the campaign on all transfers as soon as possible.

#### OWNER NOTIFICATION:

All owners of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.

#### PARTS INFORMATION:

#### IMPORTANT: ONLY ORDER PARTS ON CUSTOMER RESPONSE AND NOT THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON COMPUTER LISTINGS.

Parts required to complete this cwnpaign should be ordered through regular channels, as follows:

Part Number and Colour Interior Trim Colour Quantity/Vehicle

12525166 Graphite Blue, Graphite, Medium 1 Gray, Slate Gray or (2 buttons per kit as required) Black

12525169 Med. Beige Taupe, Brown, Medium 1 Beige, Beige, Antelope (2 buttons per kit as required)

12529738 Dark Auburn Dark Auburn, Ruby Red, 1 Garnet, Red or (2 buttons per kit as required) Beechwood

12529739 White White with Red, Blue, 1 Beige or Yellow (2 buttons per kit as required)

PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:

Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:

Repair Code Description Time Allowance

2A Install Snap-On Webbing Stop Buttons .3 -Both Sides T2600 Reimbursement for Prior Front Outer .2 Safety Belt Replacement

Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 30% to cover parts handling.

OWNER REIMBURSEMENT

Current or prior owners may request reimbursement for prior replacement of the left or right front seat belt assembly. Consideration for reimbursement will be allowed only if genuine General Motors parts were used. The amount to be reimbursed will be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer. They must submit original documentation that reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expenses, a description of the repair, the date of the repair, and the person or entity who performed the repair to receive reimbursement by December 31, 1995.

Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted, according to the Parts and Labour Claim Information. Use T2600 labour operation and list all owner expenses concerning previous repairs in the net item column of the warranty claim.

#### NOTE: When a customer requests reimbursement, and the vehicle is still available, dealers are to inspect and repair, if necessary, as called for in the Service Procedure, of this bulletin. Until the involved vehicle is inspected and repaired, if necessary, the campaign must remain open regardless of any reimbursement.

#### SERVICE PROCEDURE:

#### IMPORTANT: BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT SHOULDER BELTS ARE TO RECEIVE WEBBING STOP BUTTON (EVEN IF COMPLAINT IS ONLY ON ONE SIDE.)

1. If the shoulder belt web stop is lodged in the retractor, give a quick tug on the shoulder belt to free.

2. Locate the upper edge of the sew stop and insert the pin half of the plastic button into the centre of the seat belt webbing as shown in figure.

3. While wearing proper eye protection, snip off the pointed tip of the pin at the groove just above the rounded bulge. Use Snap-on Tool #E71OCG (True-Flush Cut, Tapered Head, Electronic Service Cutter) or equivalent as shown in View A of figure.

4. Align other button half to the remaining portion of the pin.

5. Press the two halves together firmly with pliers.

#### IMPORTANT: CHECK AND MAKE SURE NO SHARP PROTRUSION EXISTS THAT COULD CATCH ON CLOTHING. CORRECT AS REQUIRED.

6. Repeat Steps 1 to 5 on other side.

7. Install Campaign Identification Label.

INSTALLATION OF CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Clean surface of radiator upper mounting panel and apply a Campaign Identification Label. Make sure the correct campaign number is inserted on the label. This will indicate that the campaign has been completed.

General Motors of Canada bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer." They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your General Motors dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited

July 1995

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990-1993 Buick Riviera, 1990-1991 Cadillac Eldorado, 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and Toronado Trofeo model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition where the front outer shoulder belt web sew stop may become stuck in the retractor. This can occur when the web sew stop is jammed into or passes through the retractor web guide. As a result, the belt can be difficult to pull out of the retractor, and some occupants may even be unable to fasten the belt. In the event of a vehicle crash, unbelted occupants are at a significantly greater risk of injury than those who are wearing seat belts properly.

#### Note: The shoulder belt web sew stop is the raised stitching area on the belt.

If you have ever found it hard to pull either the driver or right front passenger shoulder belt out as you buckle the safety belt, or should you ever experience this in the future, please contact your GM dealer and have the dealer install front shoulder belt stop buttons. This service will be provided for you at no charge.

If you choose not to bring your vehicle in now, we suggest you keep this letter in your glove box for future reference.

If you are not sure whether your vehicle has this condition, you can easily inspect it by following the inspection procedure included with this letter.

If you have already paid for some or all of the cost to have a front outer safety belt replaced due to this condition, prior to receipt of this letter, you may contact your GM dealer to seek reimbursement. Consideration for reimbursement will be allowed only if genuine General Motors parts were used. The amount to be reimbursed will be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer. Please provide your dealer with your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of your payment and date of payment of those charges by December 31, 1995.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited

INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR SHOULDER BELT WEB SEW STOP

Perform the following procedure five (5) times on both the driver's and right front passenger's shoulder belts.

1. Hold the shoulder belt latch plate in one hand and pull the shoulder belt all the way out with the opposite hand.

2. At full extension, move the belt webbing to minimize contact with the head rest guide loop.

3. Allow the webbing to retract as quickly as possible, keep the latch plate in your hand to prevent its weight from slowing the webbing down.

If the web sew stop becomes stuck in the retractor during one of these checks making the shoulder belt hard to pull out again, contact your dealer to have the web stop buttons installed.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.