For 1990-2009 cars

# CAMPAIGN: STEERING WHEEL REDUNDANT RADIO CONTROLS

#### Subject: PRODUCT CAMPAIGN 96-C-27 STEERING WHEEL REDUNDANT RADIO CONTROLS (RPO UK3) ------------------------------------------------- Models Affected: 1994-96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, 1995-96 FIREBIRD AND 1996 TRANS SPORT -------------------------------------------------

#### TO: ALL PONTIAC DEALERS

-------------------

General Motors has determined that certain 1994-96 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1995-96 Firebird and 1995 Trans Sport model vehicles may have been assembled with steering wheel redundant radio control wires pinched between the steering wheel inner foam and the air bag inflator module backing plate. The insulation on the wires may wear away over time, allowing for a short to ground. If a short to ground were to occur, the radio controls may become inoperative and noise may be emitted from the steering column. There is also a remote possibility that the air bag could inadvertently deploy.

To prevent the possibility of these conditions occurring, dealers are to install a new steering wheel redundant control wire harness. The new harness will also be rerouted to eliminate possible pinching between components. Vehicles which have exhibited any of the steering wheel redundant controls operating incorrectly will also have the steering wheel redundant control/supplemental inflatable restraint coil replaced.

#### VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1994-96 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1995-96 Firebird and 1995 Trans Sport model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT YEAR MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- ----- ----- ----- ---- -------

1994 Grand Prix Fairfax "F" RF200001 RF348406 1995 Grand Prix Fairfax "F" SF200001 SF340217 1996 Grand Prix Fairfax "F" TF200002 TF200083 1995 Firebird Ste Therese "2" S2200001 S2256723 1996 Firebird Ste Therese "2" T2200001 T2200026 1995 Trans Sport Tarrytown "T" ST200002 ST244007

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.

#### PARTS INFORMATION

A preshipment of 35%, of part number 16759681 (Wire Harness), will be sent to involved dealers the week of April 22, 1996. Preshipped parts will be charged to the dealers' open account. Please refer to your "Involved Vehicle Listing" prior to ordering additional requirements. Additional parts are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. An emergency requirement should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

PART QUANTITY/ DESCRIPTION NUMBER VEHICLE ----------- ------ ---------

Wire Harness 16759681 1 Coil, SIR "Grand Prix" 26051659 As Required Coil, SIR "Firebird & Trans Sport" 26050811 As Required

No preship of SIR Coils will occur. SIR Coils will only be needed on approximately 5% of the vehicles and should only be ordered when needed.

#### OWNER NOTIFICATION

Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Pontiac Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).

#### 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 owners take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, 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 the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owners 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 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 Write-up Personnel should indicate on the repair order any incorrectly operating redundant controls that the customer has experienced.

#### SERVICE PROCEDURE

#### INSPECTION

1. With vehicle idling for approximately one (1) minute, check all functions of the redundant controls and all backlighting for the controls.

If the functional check has indicated that the redundant controls are operating incorrectly,

- or -

The customer has indicated that they have experienced incorrectly operating redundant controls;

The steering wheel redundant control/supplemental inflatable restraint coil (SIR Coil) will also need to be replaced following the Coil Replacement Procedure on page 6, after completing the Wire Harness Replacement Procedure. Record preset radio stations at this time.

2. If all functions are operating correctly, only the wire harness will need replacement, therefore proceed to the Wire Harness Replacement Procedure below. The SIR Coil will not have to be replaced.

#### WIRE HARNESS REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

1. Disable the SIR system following applicable Service Manual instructions.

2. Remove SIR module.

3. Remove Steering Wheel Redundant Control (SWRC) switches and wire harness from steering wheel. The Wire Harness WILL NOT be reused. The switches WILL be reused.

#### IMPORTANT: Proceed to Coil Replacement Procedure on page 6 if Inspection Procedure determined replacement of coil was required. It is anticipated that SIR coils will only be needed on approximately 5% of the vehicles.

4. Using a sharp utility knife, cut a groove in steering wheel inner foam as shown in Figure 1 on page 4. Groove will need to be deep enough (approximately 6mm or 1/4 inch) for wires to rest in and below the surface of the foam.

5. Install NEW SWRC wire harness and original switches removed in Step 3, and route Yellow & Gray SIR coil wires as shown in Figure 2 on page 5. Make sure wires are in groove (formed in step 4), below surface and away from any sharp edges. Be sure to use a blunt object such as a tongue depressor or Popsicle stick to install wires.

6. Reinstall SIR module and enable SIR system.

7. Clear codes from SIR system. Perform SIR System Diagnostic Check.

8. Verify correct operation of redundant controls and control backlighting. Any malfunctions should be corrected and the system rechecked.

9. Install Campaign Identification Label.

#### COIL REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

1. Obtain THEFTLOCK code from customer.

2. Disconnect negative battery cable.

3. Remove steering wheel.

4. Remove steering wheel redundant control/supplemental inflatable restraint coil following applicable Service Manual instructions. Coil WILL NOT be reused.

5. Install NEW steering wheel redundant control/supplemental inflatable restraint coil following applicable Service Manual instructions.

6. Reinstall steering wheel.

7. Reconnect negative battery cable.

8. Enter THEFTLOCK code following Service Manual instructions, then reset radio stations.

9. Proceed with step 4 of Wire Harness Replacement Procedure.

#### CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each label provides space to print the campaign number and the five digit dealer code of the dealership performing the campaign. Insert this information with a typewriter or a ball point pen. When installing label, clean and dry the surface of the radiator support tie bar and apply the campaign label where it is readily visible when the hood is raised. Be sure to apply the clear protective plastic cover over the label.

Additional GM Campaign Identification Labels (Item Number S-1015) are available at no cost from Vispac, Inc., 35000 Industrial Road, Livonia, MI 48150, 1-800-269-5100 (Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Est.).

#### CLAIM INFORMATION

A separate repair order must be used for each vehicle. A completed warranty claim is to be kept as a permanent record of completion,

DEALERS SHOULD SUBMIT WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CREDIT IN THEIR NORMAL MANNER WHEN THEY PERFORM THE SERVICE AS FOLLOWS:

Failure Labor Labor Operation Code Operation Hours --------- ------- --------- -------

Install New Wire Harness 96 V9908 0.5* Install New Wire Harness AND Coil 96 V9909 0.9*

* ADD: For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours". This entry will not require authorization.

The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 40% dealer handling allowance.

FAILURE CODE 96 MUST BE USED WITH THE LABOR OPERATION.

Dealers will be credited via Warranty Document or Terminal Transmission, whichever is their normal method of submission for payment. Claim must contain all information required and should list the labor operation as outlined.

#### RECORDING COMPLETION

Repairs submitted for vehicles not involved in the campaign will not be paid.

Campaign completion will be recorded from "PROPERLY COMPLETED AND PAID WARRANTY CLAIMS." Customers are being asked to present the customer reply card for identification to their dealer at the time they bring in their vehicle to have the campaign performed.

April, 1996

Dear Pontiac Owner:

This notice is sent to inform you that Pontiac Division is conducting a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.

REASON FOR THIS RECALL

General Motors has determined that certain 1994-96 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1995-96 Firebird and 1995 Trans Sport model vehicles may have been assembled with steering wheel redundant radio control wires pinched between the steering wheel inner foam and the air bag inflator module backing plate. The insulation on the wires may wear away over time, allowing for a short to ground. if a short to ground were to occur, the radio controls may become inoperative and noise may be emitted from the steering column. There is also a remote possibility that the air bag could inadvertently deploy.

WHAT WE WILL DO

To prevent the possibility of these conditions occurring, dealers are to install a new steering wheel redundant control wire harness. The new harness will also be rerouted to eliminate possible pinching between components. Vehicles which have exhibited any of the steering wheel redundant controls operating incorrectly will also have the steering wheel redundant control/supplemental inflatable restraint coil replaced. Please advise your dealer if you have experienced incorrectly operating redundant controls. If you have entered a THEFTLOCK code in your radio, please provide it to the dealer. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and so the dealer may order the necessary parts for the repair. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer and parts are available. You may ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.

The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

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

Pontiac Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

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.