Campaign - Restricted Oil Flow in A/T Cooler Line
88cadillac07
NO.: 88-C-4
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
DATE: June, 1988
GROUP: 7
SUBJECT: 1988 ELDORADO AND SEVILLE MODELS: TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE THERMISTOR
Cadillac Motor Car Division has determined that certain 1988 Eldorado and Seville models may have an improperly assembled thermistor (temperature sensor) in the transmission oil cooler line which may restrict oil flow. This condition could result in the transmission overheating causing it to fail.
To prevent this condition from occurring, dealers will be required to inspect the thermistor and, if necessary, add an adapter/spacer to the thermistor fitting to eliminate this possible restriction in the cooler line on all affected vehicles per the Vehicles Involved and Service Procedures sections of this bulletin.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All 1988 Eldorado and Seville models within the following VIN ranges require this campaign (Cadillac records indicate that a total of 14,312 vehicles are affected):
Eldorado - JU609471 through JU618072
Seville - JU808227 through JU813936
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners of vehicles affected by this campaign will be notified by letter from Cadillac Motor Car Division. A copy of the owner letter is attached.
DEALER LIST
A list of vehicles involved, which our records indicate were sold by or shipped to you, is enclosed for your follow-up. This listing contains owner names and addresses obtained from Cadillac delivery records. You are urged to limit the use of this list to the followup necessary to complete this campaign. If no list is enclosed, none of the suspect vehicles are known to be in your area.
We suggest you use the list of vehicles involved to order your initial parts requirements as soon as possible.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to service all vehicles involved in this campaign, at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into used car inventory, dealers are to take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling the vehicle.
In addition, dealers are to perform the campaign on all affected vehicles as they are brought in for any kind of service.
PARTS INFORMATION
The parts required to complete this campaign should be obtained from the Parts Distribution Centers of General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). A description is provided below:
Quantity Required
Description Part Number Per Vehicle
Brass Adapter/Spacer 444002 1
If there is difficulty obtaining these parts using normal ordering procedures, dealers may place a C.I.O. using advise Code "2" with no special instruction code. The parts may also be ordered on a V.I.P. order; however, unless prior zone approval is obtained, dealers will be required to absorb any surcharge involved under the V.I.P. system.
If any problems are encountered in obtaining these parts, please follow the three-step procedure as outlined in the GM Parts Policy & Procedure Manual, Section IV, pages 34 and 35, August 1986 Edition.
ILLUSTRATION #1:
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTICE: The transmission oil cooler line thermistor is located on the transaxle cooler outlet line near the transaxle at the left front corner of the vehicle (just rearward of the frame crossmember). It can be inspected from above with the hood open and is easily accessible for service after raising the vehicle. (Refer to illustration #1).
1. Inspect the transaxle line temperature thermistor below the electrical connector to determine if it is made of brass or steel. If the sensor is brass proceed to Step 2. If the sensor is made of steel, no further service is needed; proceed to Step 4.
2. Remove the brass temperature thermistor from the cooler line thermistor fitting.
ILLUSTRATION #2:
3. Install the brass adapter/spacer (Part Number 444002) into the thermistor fitting and install the thermistor into the adapter/spacer. (Refer to illustration #2). Use a light application of thread sealant if needed to prevent leaks. Do not overtighten.
4. Install Campaign Completion Label.
CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL
Upon completion of this campaign, a white campaign label (Cat. No. S-1015) should be affixed on a clean, dry surface of the radiator support tie bar in an area clearly visible when the hood is raised. Each label provides space to print in ink (or type) campaign number 88-C-4 and your five-digit Cadillac dealer code. Dealers are to take the steps necessary to ensure that the numbers are properly recorded on the label.
CREDIT
Credit for this campaign will be issued upon receipt of a properly prepared warranty claim as follows:
June, 1988
Dear Cadillac Owner:
Records available to Cadillac Motor Car Division indicate you are the owner of a 1988 Eldorado or Seville.
Cadillac has determined that your vehicle may have an improperly assembled thermistor (temperature sensor) in the transmission oil cooler line which may restrict oil flow. This condition could result in the transmission overheating causing it to fail.
To prevent this from occurring on your vehicle, please contact your Cadillac dealer to arrange for a service date to have this condition corrected. Your dealer will inspect the thermistor and if necessary add a spacer to the thermistor housing to eliminate this possible restriction in the cooler line. This service will be performed at no charge to you.
Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your Cadillac dealer. The labor time to install the spacer is approximately twenty minutes. Please allow additional time for your dealer to process your vehicle.
The enclosed Campaign Owner Identification Card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please complete the postage-paid card and return it to us. This will assist us in assuring all affected vehicles have been corrected.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.