Customer Satisfaction 99050-Starter Motor Failures-Inspect/Replace Starter Motor

General Motors has decided that certain 1998 and 1999 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Riviera, Regal; Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix; and Oldsmobile Eighty Eight LSS model vehicles equipped with 3.8L supercharged engine (RPO L67-VIN Code 1) may exhibit a condition in which the starter motor may cause a gear engagement/disengagement noise or intermittently fail to operate and result in a no start condition. The cause is an oversize gap at the shift lever retainer channel in the starter nose housing. This may cause the lever pivot to move out of the retainer channel and result in the loss of engagement of the starter shift lever and the start drive.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to inspect the starter motor build date code, and replace, if necessary, the starter motor assembly.

Involved are certain 1998 and 1999 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Riviera, Regal; Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix; and Oldsmobile Eighty Eight LSS model vehicles equipped with 3.8L supercharged engine (RPO L67-VIN Code 1) 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.

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" prior to ordering requirements. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. An emergency requirement should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

Important: Parts should be ordered only when inspection determines that it is necessary to replace the starter motor assembly.

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).

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. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise the vehicle with a suitable safety stand.

Figure 1 -- Engine Bottom View of Starter Motor Assembly Location





Important: The starter production date code is a pin stamp and appears below the model number 9000806 pin stamp on the indicated portion of the nose housing in Figure 1. Use a flashlight positioned at an angle to this location to help view the date code.

Example:
9000806
01MA98A
3. Inspect the starter motor assembly for the date code period of 01MA98 A, B (or) C (shift) through 18SE98 A, B (or) C (shift).

For example, 01/May/98 shift A, B or C to 18/September/98 shift A, B or C)

•	If the date code is outside of this production period, go to Step 5.

•	If the date code falls within this production period, continue to Step 4.

4. Replace the starter motor assembly. Refer to the Engine Electrical sub-section of the appropriate Service Manual.
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Connect the negative battery cable.

Tighten
Tighten the cable bolt to 15 N·m (11 lb ft).

7. 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 EST). 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.

Dear <Division(s) Customer:

This notice is sent to inform you of a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.

General Motors has decided that certain 1998 and 1999 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Riviera, Regal; Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix; and Oldsmobile Eighty Eight LSS model vehicles equipped with 3.8L supercharged engine may exhibit a condition in which the starter motor may cause a gear engagement/disengagement noise or intermittently fail to operate and result in a no start condition.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the starter motor assembly. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

Please contact your <<Division>> dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and to assure parts availability. 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.

If you experience any trouble scheduling your vehicle or you have any questions regarding this recall action, please contact the appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at the number listed below:

The enclosed customer 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 no longer own this 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.

(Buick, Pontiac-GMC, Oldsmobile) Division(s)

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure