Emission Label Error

General Motors has decided that certain 1998-99 Buick LeSabre; Oldsmobile Eighty Eight; and Pontiac Bonneville model vehicles equipped with 3.8 L engine (RPO L36 -- VIN Code K) were built with an incorrect emission vacuum hose routing schematic.

A new vehicle emission control label needs to be installed on the radiator support.

Since a new label can be easily installed, and to reduce customer inconvenience, the label will be sent with installation instructions directly to customers of record. Customers may install the label on the radiator support. However, if they desire, they may bring the label to their dealer for installation at no charge

Involved are certain 1998-99 Buick LeSabre; Oldsmobile Eighty Eight; and Pontiac Bonneville model vehicles equipped with 3.8 L engines and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved]

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.

A new vehicle emission control label will be mailed to owners of record and involved dealers (for dealer stock vehicles) on a no charge basis. If additional labels are required, contact Dealer Assistance at 1-888-414-6322. Be sure to request label part number 12564291, 12564292, 12563461 or 12563462 for campaign 98068. DO NOT ORDER THIS PART FROM GMSPO.

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

In order to ensure full protection under the emission warranty, and the right to participate in future recalls, the customer notification letter recommends that customers have their vehicles serviced as soon as possible. It also advises that failure to do so could legally be determined to be lack of proper maintenance.

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 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.

1. Open hood.
2. Using a clean, dry cloth, wipe dirt, oil etc. from existing label on the radiator support (see Figure 1).

Figure 1




3. Remove backing from new label and apply over existing label.

Notice: Do not attempt to remove or loosen new label once it has been applied, as this will deface the label.

4. Beginning at center of label and using a clean, dry cloth, smooth and secure new label. Any air bubbles can be removed by puncturing with a pin and smoothing with the cloth.
5. Install the GM 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 the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by calling 1-888-414-6322 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below. Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

LABEL INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

1. Open hood.
2. Using a clean, dry cloth, wipe dirt, oil, etc. from the existing label on the radiator support (see illustration below).
3. Remove backing from new label and apply over existing label.
4. Beginning at center of label and using a clean, dry cloth, smooth and secure new label. Any air bubbles can be removed by puncturing with a pin and smoothing with the cloth.

Notice: Do not attempt to remove or loosen new label once it has been applied, as this will deface the label.

Dear <Division(s)> Customer:

This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is voluntarily replacing incorrect emission control labels. This action includes your vehicle.

General Motors has decided that certain 1998-99 Buick LeSabre; Oldsmobile Eighty Eight; and Pontiac Bonneville model vehicles equipped with 3.8 L engines were built with incorrect vehicle emission control labels. The emission control (tune-up) labels have an incorrect emission vacuum hose routing diagram.

A new vehicle emission control label needs to be installed on the radiator support of your vehicle. Since a new label can be easily installed, and to reduce your inconvenience, we are enclosing a label with installation instructions. The new label may be installed by you onto the radiator support of your vehicle. However, if you desire, your GM dealer will install the label for you at no charge .

Should you choose to have your GM dealer install the label for you, please bring the customer reply card, along with the enclosed label, to your servicing GM dealer. Please contact your dealer, if desired, to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process and repair your vehicle.

Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below:

The attached customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Please let us know if you elect to install the label yourself by completing the attached card and returning it to us in the postage paid envelope. This assists us in assuring that all affected vehicles have been corrected. Should you choose to have your GM dealer install the label for you, presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the reply card and returning it to us.

In order to ensure your full protection under the emission warranty made applicable to your vehicle by State or Federal Law, and your right to participate in future recalls, it is recommended that you have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. Failure to do so could legally be determined to be lack of proper maintenance of your vehicle.

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-GMC, Oldsmobile or Buick) Division

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure