For 1990-2009 cars

# SPECIAL POLICY: STALL DIAG. SPECIAL COVERAGE

#### MODELS AFFECTED: 1986-87 CENTURY, LESABRE, ELECTRA/PARK AVENUE AND RIVIERA MODELS WITH 3.8L SFI ENGINE VIN CODE 3 AND B 1986-87 SKYLARK/SOMERSET AND LESABRE MODELS WITH 3.0L ENGINE VIN CODE L 1986 LESABRE MODEL WITH 3.0L ENGINE VIN CODE L

#### NOTICE: THIS BULLETIN IS INTENDED TO ADVISE YOU OF SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT IS BEING EXTENDED TO ALL OWNERS OF FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE BUICKS PRODUCED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES IN 1986 AND 1987 MODEL YEARS. THIS BULLETIN SUPPLEMENTS BULLETIN 87-6E-29 (CORPORATION NO. 006501) UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1992.

SOME 1986 AND 1987 SKYLARK/SOMERSET, CENTURY, LESABRE, ELECTRA/PARK AVENUE, AND RIVIERA MODEL VEHICLES WITH ENGINE VIN CODE 3, B, AND L MAY BE EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STALLING. TO CORRECT THE STALLING COMPLAINTS, A COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE MANUAL WAS DEVELOPED AND RELEASED IN JULY, 1990 (SERVICE BULLETIN 87-6E-29).

TO ASSIST OWNERS ON THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE STILL EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STALLING, BUICK IS PROVIDING SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THIS CONDITION UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1992 OR 100,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL CAMPAIGN AND THEREFORE NOT INTENDED TO BE USED ON ALL VEHICLES. IT SHOULD ONLY BE APPLIED IF AN OWNER HAS AN INTERMITTENT STALLING COMPLAINT. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE REGULAR MAINTENANCE THAT SHOULD BE DONE ON A ROUTINE BASIS.

WE ASK THAT DEALERS CAREFULLY ADHERE TO THE INTENT OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM. THIS COVERAGE IS BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL DEALERS WILL FULLY SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. VEHICLES WHICH FALL WITHIN THE SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM THAT ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING STALLING SHOULD BE PROMPTLY CORRECTED.

SPECIAL COVERAGE

BUICK MOTOR DIVISION FROM THE DATE OF THIS BULLETIN OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL COVERAGE TO OWNERS OF VEHICLE DESCRIBED IN THE VEHICLE INVOLVED SECTION OF THIS BULLETIN:

BUICK MOTOR DIVISION SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR 1986 AND 1987 FRONT WHEEL DRIVE BUICK SKYLARK, SOMERSET, CENTURY, LESABRE, ELECTRA AND RIVIERA EQUIPPED WITH 3.0 AND 3.8 LITER ENGINES - INTERMITTENT STALLING CONDITION

BUICK MOTOR DIVISION WILL MAKE REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS NECESSARY TO CORRECT INTERMITTENT STALLING, AS SPECIFIED IN THE 1986-87 GM 3.0L AND 3.8L STALL DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURES MANUAL UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1992 OR FOR THE INITIAL 100,000 MILES OF VEHICLE USE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE IS IN ADDITION TO THE WARRANTIES WHICH WERE PROVIDED WHEN THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED:

O DAMAGE CAUSED BY IMPROPER REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, ABUSE, COLLISION, FIRE AND/OR THEFT;

O VEHICLES WHICH HAVE HAD THEIR EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS INTENTIONALLY DISABLED, UNLESS THE SYSTEM IS RESTORED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED (COST OF THIS RESTORATION IS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY);

O REPLACEMENT OF MAINTENANCE ITEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, INCLUDING:

- SPARK PLUGS - FUEL FILTER - PCV VALVE - AIR CLEANER & PCV FILTER - ENGINE OIL - ENGINE COOLANT

VEHICLES INVOLVED

INVOLVED ARE 1986 AND 1987 MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE ENGINES INDICATED:

YEAR MODEL ENGINE SIZE ENGINE VIN CODE

1986-87 SOMERSET/SKYLARK 3.0L L 1986-87 CENTURY 3.8L 3 1986 LESABRE 3.0L L 1986-87 LESABRE 3.8L 3 1986 ELECTRA/PARK AVENUE 3.8L B 1986 RIVIERA 3.8L B 1987 ELECTRA/PARK AVENUE 3.8L 3 1987 RIVIERA 3.8L 3

OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE NOTIFIED BY BUICK MOTOR DIVISION (SEE COPY OF OWNERS' LETTER AND SPECIAL COVERAGE BROCHURE INCLUDED WITH THIS BULLETIN.)

REIMBURSEMENT

OWNERS MUST SUBMIT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION THAT REASONABLY CONFIRMS THE AMOUNT OF UNREIMBURSED REPAIR EXPENSE, A DESCRIPTION OF THE REPAIR, THE DATE OF THE REPAIR AND THE PERSON OR ENTITY PERFORMING THE REPAIR. REVIEW "WHAT IS NOT COVERED" IN THE SPECIAL COVERAGE BROCHURE BEFORE MAKING A REIMBURSEMENT ADJUSTMENT. CUSTOMERS FROM THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT AND VIRGINIA MUST SUBMIT REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT DIRECTLY TO BUICK PER OWNER LETTER.

PARTS INFORMATION

PARTS ARE TO BE OBTAINED FROM GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE PARTS OPERATION (GMSPO). PARTS WHEN REQUIRED SHOULD BE ORDERED FROM GMSPO ON A C.I.O. ORDER WITH NO SPECIAL INSTRUCTION CODE, BUT ON AN ADVISE CODE (2). SEE THE "1986-87 3.0L AND 3.8L STALL DIAGNOSTIC" MANUAL FOR APPROPRIATE PART NUMBERS.

TRAINING

DEALER PERSONNEL WERE GIVEN TRAINING IN THE 1986-87 GM 3.0L AND 3.8L STALL DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE LAST YEAR AND BUICK EXPECTS, BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE, THAT DEALERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SATISFY ANY CONCERN THAT AN OWNER MAY HAVE IN THIS REGARD. ALSO, A TRAINING VIDEO WILL BE SENT TO EACH DEALER AT A LATER DATE. PLEASE HAVE YOUR TECHNICIANS REVIEW THIS VIDEO UPON RECEIPT.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

SEE THE "1986-87 3.0L AND 3.8L STALL DIAGNOSTIC'S" MANUAL. THREE ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS MANUAL ARE BEING PROVIDED TO ALL DEALERS UNDER SEPARATE COVER. EACH DEALER WILL RECEIVE ONE PAD OF QUESTIONNAIRES WITH THE MANUALS.

O. ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES BROUGHT IN FOR INTERMITTENT STALLING MUST ESTIONNAIRE AND BASIC DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURES SECTIONS OF THE MANUAL COMPLETED. THE QUESTIONNAIRE FILLED OUT BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE TECHNICIAN'S COPY OF THE REPAIR ORDER. ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE CAN BE REPRODUCED LOCALLY.

O PORTIONS OF SUPPLEMENTARY DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURES SECTION OF THE HANDBOOK ARE TO BE USED IF THE CONDITION IS STILL PRESENT AFTER COMPLETION OF ABOVE STEP. ONLY USE THE PORTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED BY THE CONDITION(S) DEFINED BY THE QUESTIONNAIRE THAT ARE STILL EVIDENT ON THE VEHICLE. MANAGEMENT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH SUPPLEMENTARY DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURE SECTION.

DISPOSITION OF REPLACED PARTS

REPLACED PARTS MUST BE HELD FOR DISPOSITION BY BUICK ZONE/BRANCH CONTACT PERSONNEL. PARTS MUST HAVE A CLAIM TAG ATTACHED SHOWING THE REPAIR ORDER AND THE VIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM WHICH THEY WERE REMOVED.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

WHEN PERFORMING THE STALL DIAGNOSTIC OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE PROCEDURE OF THIS BULLETIN, SUBMIT A WARRANTY CLAIM FOR CREDIT AS INDICATED BELOW FOR THOSE VEHICLES BEYOND 5 YEARS/50,000 MILE. USE APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS DESCRIBED IN SERVICE BULLETIN 87-6E-29 FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITHIN 5 YEARS/50,000 MILES. ALWAYS USE T5201 AND OTHER OPERATIONS AS APPROPRIATE.

FAILED SUBLET PART PART PART FAILURE LABOR LABOR DEALER OPER. COUNT NO. ALLOW. CODE OP.NO. HOURS MTL TWG

O COMPLETE QUESTIONNAIRE AND BASIC DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURES OF STALL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL.

** *** **** 95 T5201 1.7* --

* ADD TIMES: .3 FOR PROM (ALL ENGINES) .5 R&R THROTTLE BODY TO CLEAN (3.0L VIN CODE L ONLY)

#### NOTE: THIS TIME INCLUDES PERFORMING THE BASIC DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR PROCEDURES, AND REPLACEMENT OF SPECIFIC PARTS IF NEEDED (PROM, MAF, CRANK SENSOR, AND ONE WIRING REPAIR)

O ADDITIONAL PARTS AND/OR REPAIRS (SUPPLEMENTARY DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURE) NOTE: INCLUDING COIL AND COIL MODULE REPLACEMENT

# *** **** 95 T5256 # --

O REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUS REPAIR ##T5257 (SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR REIMBURSEMENT) ** USE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PARTS REPLACED. MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE 3 (PROM, MAF, AND/OR CRANK SENSOR)

*** USE APPROPRIATE PART NUMBER(S)

**** CURRENT DEALER NET GMSPO PRICE PLUS 30% HANDLING ALLOWANCE OF ALL PARTS INCLUDED ON THIS LINE

# USE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PARTS REPLACED ABOVE. PRIOR MANAGEMENT AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED FOR T5256 OPERATION. USE APPLICABLE "J" LABOR OPERATION TIMES. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITHIN 5 YEARS/50,000 MILES, USE APPLICABLE J LABOR OPERATION INSTEAD OF T5256. ## T5257 IS NOT TO BE USED FOR RESIDENTS OF THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT AND VIRGINIA. REQUESTS FROM THESE RESIDENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO BUICK MOTOR DIVISION.

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT INSTRUCTIONS EXCEPT CONNECTICUT AND VIRGINIA RESIDENTS*

1. CUSTOMER PRESENTS DEALER WITH ORIGINAL RECEIPTS VERIFYING THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE, THE AMOUNT CHARGED AND THE PAYMENT TO CORRECT STALLING.

2. DEALER COMPLETE A REPAIR ORDER (R.O.) SHOWING:

- REPAIR ORDER DATE - VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER - CURRENT MILEAGE - OWNER'S ADDRESS - ATTACH ORIGINAL OWNER'S OR DEALER'S PAID INVOICES/RECEIPTS COVERING REPAIR WITHIN THE SPECIAL COVERAGE GUIDELINES - LABOR OPERATION NUMBER T5257 AND FAILURE CODE 95. - TOTAL AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT BASED ON 100% OF OWNER'S EXPENSE RELATED TO COVERED STALLING REPAIR.

3. OWNER SIGNS THE REPAIR ORDER AS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT.

4. OWNER IS GIVEN A COPY OF REPAIR ORDER.

5. DEALER ASSIGNS A WARRANTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM I (WMSI) AUTHORIZATION CODE TO THE CLAIM AND ENTERS IT ON THE WMS AUTHORIZATION LOG.

6. DEALER ISSUES THE OWNER A REIMBURSEMENT CHECK FOR THE APPROVED AMOUNT. THE CHECK NUMBER MUST BE ENTERED ON THE REPAIR ORDER AND A COPY OF THE CHECK MUST BE ATTACHED TO ORIGINAL PAID INVOICES/RECEIPTS.

7. THE DEALER SUBMITS A CLAIM TO BUICK FOR PROCESSING.

8. ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW BY BUICK PERSONNEL AS NEEDED.

#### NOTICE: REFER TO BUICK SERVICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, SECTION 1.6.1 I FOR SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT VERIFICATION.

IN THE EVENT THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND THE OWNER CANNOT REACH AGREEMENT ON AMOUNT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT AFTER REVIEW OF INVOICES/RECEIPTS, THE ZONE/BRANCH SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR DETERMINATION OF COVERED EXPENSES. IN SUCH CASES, AN EXPLANATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE R.O.

* NOTE: RESIDENTS OF CONNECTICUT AND VIRGINIA MUST SUBMIT REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT IN WRITING DIRECTLY TO BUICK MOTOR DIVISION PER INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER LETTER.

COPYRIGHT 1991 GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DECEMBER, 1991

DEAR BUICK OWNER:

WE AT BUICK MOTOR DIVISION ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BUICK CUSTOMERS AND ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVING THEIR OVERALL VEHICLE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE. WE ARE WRITING TO YOU TODAY ABOUT A CONDITION THAT SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED EXPERIENCING AND OUR ACTION TO RESOLVE THIS CONDITION.

SOME BUICK CUSTOMERS WITH 1986 AND 1987 MODEL FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L OR 3.8L V6 ENGINES HAVE REPORTED INTERMITTENT STALLING. HERE IS WHAT WE ARE DOING ABOUT IT:

FIRST, TO CORRECT THE INTERMITTENT STALLING, WE HAVE DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR TECHNICIANS AT BUICK DEALERSHIPS. THIS PROCEDURE HAS BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE IN CORRECTING INTERMITTENT STALLING.

SECOND, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION AND BUICK MOTOR DIVISION ARE PROVIDING OWNERS WITH SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR REPAIR OF THIS INTERMITTENT STALLING CONDITION, AT NO CHARGE. THE DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL COVERAGE ARE SET OUT IN THE ENCLOSED BROCHURE, WHICH YOU SHOULD KEEP WITH OTHER GLOVEBOX MATERIALS IN YOUR CAR. THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE IS GOOD UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1992 OR FOR THE INITIAL 100,000 MILES OF VEHICLE USE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

THIRD, IF YOU HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS FOR THIS INTERMITTENT STALLING CONDITION (OTHER THAN NORMAL MAINTENANCE SERVICE OR ITEMS) PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF THIS LETTER, AND YOU HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED, YOU MAY CONTACT YOUR BUICK DEALER TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT (EXCEPT FOR RESIDENTS OF CONNECTICUT AND VIRGINIA). CONNECTICUT AND VIRGINIA RESIDENTS MUST WRITE TO BUICK MOTOR DIVISION, P. O. BOX 2003, FLINT, MI 48501-2003 FOR REIMBURSEMENT. IN EITHER SITUATION, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR ORIGINAL PAID RECEIPTS OR INVOICES VERIFYING THE REPAIR, THE AMOUNT CHARGED, PROOF OF YOUR PAYMENT AND DATE OF PAYMENT OF THOSE CHARGES.

WE HOPE THAT THESE STEPS WILL SATISFACTORILY ADDRESS ANY INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEMS IN YOUR VEHICLE, AND WE SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. PLEASE CALL US AT THE BUICK CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, 1-800-521-7300 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

BUICK MOTOR DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

ENCLOSURE

87-POL-1

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.