Owner Letter
SAFETY RECALL -- FULL SIZE JEEP WAGONEER, GRAND WAGONEER AND CHEROKEE WAGON POWER TAILGATE WINDOWNOTICE OF REPAIR SERVICE
Dear Jeep Wagon Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Chrysler has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some full-size 1970-1988 Jeep Wagoneer and Cherokee wagons equipped with a power tailgate window. A service procedure to correct the condition has been developed as described below, and is now available to owners of affected vehicles without charge.
If your vehicle has a power tailgate window, the window can be opened and closed by either an inside switch on the instrument panel or an outside key cylinder on the tailgate. In both cases the vehicle keys are required to allow window operation. If your vehicle has a manually operated tailgate window crank it is not affected and no further action is needed.
All owners of involved vehicles known to Chrysler were notified of the power tailgate window defect condition in late December, 1987 and January, 1988. If you were not notified at that time, your name and address have recently been obtained, allowing us to contact you now. The earlier notification explained that a problem could occur when closing the tail ate window using the key-operated switch on the outside of the tailgate. When the key is released, it may not return to the "off" position. Then the window will continue to close. In some cases this has been reported to cause serious injury, or even death, to a child. This could occur if a key left in the outside key cylinder is turned by a child reaching out from inside the wagon, and the window continues to close on the child after the key is released.
The earlier notification contained interim inspection and service instructions to guard against the problem. Dealers were instructed to temporarily disable window operation from the tailgate key cylinder on vehicles found to have the defect, until final repairs could be made.
At this time, required parts should have been received by your Jeep dealer so that the recall service can be completed for you. The repair is intended to ensure that the tail ate key cylinder will freely return to the "off" position when the key is release . This service will be performed for you without charge.
Note:
The free recall service for the key cylinder will be provided regardless of whether or not the window system is operative.
The recall service does not include repair of an inoperative tailgate window system. If you request repairs to restore window operation, these repairs will be charged to you.
To obtain the needed service, please contact your dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. We ask that you call the dealer who sold you the vehicle if convenient. However, if necessary, the service can be performed by any Jeep/Eagle dealer.
The dealer will replace, clean and lubricate certain tailgate key cylinder assembly parts to ensure free rotation of the key cylinder to the "off" position when the key is released. The repair includes relocating the spring loaded key cylinder cover pivot from the "12 o'clock" to the "4 o'clock" position so that the cover will bear against the key in the "off" direction. Also, the key cylinder will be rotated one half turn as part of the procedure, requiring the key to be inserted with the notched edge "up." This also aids in returning the key to the "off" position. This service can be completed in about one-half hour.
Important:
For continued safe operation after the recall service is completed, please follow these precautions:
^ Check periodically to ensure that the window does stop moving when the key is released. Use the enclosed inspection procedure for this test.
^ Periodically lubricate the tailgate key cylinder and cylinder over pivot, using WD40 or a lock lubricant. This is important if an "stickiness" is noticed in the key returning to the 11of position when the key is released.
^ Always remember not to leave the keys with the vehicle or within reach of children who might try to operate the window.
If you have any problem obtaining the needed service, please contact the Chrysler Zone Office in your area. A Zone representative will arrange for prompt servicing of your vehicle.
We regret any inconvenience which this action may cause you. However, we believe that you understand our concern for motor vehicle safety, and for your continued satisfaction with our products. If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge within a reasonable time, you may submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the Toll Free Number 1-800-424-9393.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
1. The tailgate window key cylinder is located at the center of the tailgate below the window, Figure 1.
2. Rotate the dust cover (Figure 2) and insert the key. Then, lower the tailgate window to the fully open position.
3. With the window open, release the dust cover and allow it to rest against the key as shown in Figure 3.
4. Now with the dust cover still resting against the key, turn the key (Figure 4)so that the window begins to close.
5. After the window closes about two inches,release the key (Figure 5). When you release the key, the window should stop moving.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, raising the glass about two inches at a time and releasing the key, until the window is fully closed. After lowering the window again, repeat the above steps 3 through 6 a total of three times.
The glass should stop moving each time the key is released. If you find that it does stop each time, guard your keys and no further action is required.
If at any time the glass continues to move after the key is released, guard your keys and make an appointment with your, Jeep/Eagle dealer as soon as possible for correction.