Condition, Vehicles, Dealer, Service, Parts, Information

CONDITION

General Motors has determined that all 1984 and some early production 1985 Cutlass Cieras equipped with a 3.8L MPFI engine and 440-T4 transaxle were assembled with transaxle oil filler tube and dipstick combinations which give an incorrect oil level reading. The transaxles on these vehicles were properly filled at time of manufacture as the dipsticks are not used by the assembly plants to determine the oil level.

If a dealer or service facility should accurately check and adjust the transaxle fluid level according to the dipstick reading on one of these vehicles, the transaxle would be approximately two (2) pints low of fluid. This low fluid level could result in transaxle slippage in cold weather and during certain maneuvers, resulting in damage to the transaxle.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

All 1984 Cutlass Cieras equipped with a 3.8L MPFI engine and 440-T4 transaxle.

1985 Cutlass Cieras equipped with a 3.8L MPFI engine and 440-T4 transaxle within the following serial numbers:

Beginning Up to
Assembly Plant Start of Production and Including

Doraville (D) SOP FD407657
Framingham (G) SOP FG365201
Oshawa (9) SOP F9300025

FIGURE 1:

Some 1985 Cutlass Cieras with a 3.8L MPFI engine and 440-T4 transaxle which have VINs higher than those listed, were assembled with an interim dipstick, part number 25519030B, these dipsticks are the same length and design as the new part. Do not replace these dipsticks. Refer to Figure 1.

DEALER ACTION

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring on vehicles involved, the original transaxle dipstick is to be replaced with a new correct reading dipstick, part number 25527122. Refer to Figure 1 to identify the old and the new dipstick.
Since dipsticks can be installed very easily, and because we do not want to cause owners unnecessary inconvenience, the new dipsticks have been furnished directly to affected owners of record. Owners may install them personally or they may request dealer assistance for installation.

Dealers are to perform this recall campaign at no charge to the owner, on affected vehicles, regardless of time, mileage or ownership, and are to correct all affected vehicles in dealer new and used car inventory prior to their sale.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used car inventory in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling the vehicle.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Raise the hood of the vehicle, locate the transaxle dipstick and replace it with the dipstick furnished.

2. After the above has been completed, install a campaign correction label as follows: record campaign number 85-C-05, dealer code and date on the blank campaign correction label and install on the radiator support where it is readily visible.

PARTS INFORMATION

The correct quantity of transaxle dipsticks are being shipped to each dealer on a "NO CHARGE" basis (only for VINs on your list with no owner name). They WILL NOT BE billed on dealer parts account. Dealers should not order from WDDGM.

To ensure parts are obtained as soon as possible, order them from GM Service Parts Operations (GMSPO) on a C.I.O. order. with NO special instruction code, but order on an advise code (2). Use the following part number:

Description Part Number Quantity Per Vehicle

Transaxle Oil Level Indicator 25527122 1 (as required)