United States PowerMaster Recall
Text of the Recall
I



Document ID # 252300





CAMPAIGN: POWERMASTER BRAKE
SYSTEM/FAULTY PRESSURE SWITCH
#86-C-15

SUBJECT: POWERMASTER BRAKE SYSTEM

MODELS AFFECTED: 1985 REGAL 3.8L TURBO (ENGINE VIN CODE 9) AND RPO
LM9 BRAKES 1986-87 REGAL 3.8L TURBO (ENGINE VIN CODE 7) 1986 LESABRE
AND ELECTR ESTATE WAGON 1986 CHEVROLET CAPRICE STATION WAGON
1986 PONTIAC PARISIENNE WAGON 1986 OLDSMOBILE CUSTOM CRUISER
STATION WAGON

TO: ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS

** SEE BOTTOM OF CAMPAIGN FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING OTHER **
AFFECTED DIVISIONS.

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN 1986 CHEVROLET "B"
STATION WAGONS WITH POWERMASTER BRAKE SYSTEMS WERE BUILT WITH
COMBINATION VALVES AND PRESSURE SWITCHES WHICH MAY BECOME
FAULTY. IF LEFT UNCORRECTED THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A "HARD
BRAKE PEDAL" OR "INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL". THESE CONDITIONS
MAY BE CAUSED BY A CAST IRON COMBINATION VALVE ALLOWING AIR TO
ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM OR BY A PRESSURE SWITCH LEAKING BRAKE FLUID.

TO PREVENT EITHER OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS FROM OCCURING, VEHICLES
WILL BE INSPECTED AND THOSE EQUIPPED WITH THE CAST IRON COMBINATION
VALVE WILL RECEIVE A NEW BRASS COMBINATION VALVE. ALSO, PRESSURE
SWITCHES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

INVOLVED ARE CERTAIN 1986 CHEVROLET "B" STATION WAGONS WITH
POWERMASTER BRAKE SYSTEMS BUILT WITHIN THE FOLLOWING VIN
BREAKPOINTS:

YEAR MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH

1986 "B" WAGON FAIRFAX GX100001 GX207019

INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY VIN COMPUTER LISTINGS.
COMPUTER LISTINGS CONTAIN THE COMPLETE VIN, OWNER NAME AND
ADDRESS DATA, AND ARE FURNISHED TO INVOLVED DEALERS WITH THE
CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. OWNER NAME AND ADDRESS DATA FURNISHED WILL
ENABLE DEALERS TO FOLLOW-UP WITH OWNERS INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

THESE LISTINGS MAY CONTAIN OWNER 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. ANY DEALER NOT RECEIVING A COMPUTER LISTING WITH THE
CAMPAIGN BULLETIN HAS NO INVOLVED VEHICLES CURRENTLY ASSIGNED.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN ON THEIR VEHICLES BY
CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION (SEE COPY OF OWNER LETTER INCLUDED WITH
THIS BULLETIN).

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN AT NO
CHARGE TO OWNERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR
OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD.

WHENEVER A VEHICLE SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN IS TAKEN INTO YOUR NEW
OR USED VEHICLE INVENTORY, OR IT IS IN YOUR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE IN
THE FUTURE, YOU SHOULD TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO BE SURE THE
CAMPAIGN CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE BEFORE RESELLING OR RELEASING
THE VEHICLE.

OWNERS OF VEHICLES RECENTLY SOLD FROM YOUR NEW VEHICLE INVENTORY
ARE TO BE CONTACTED BY THE DEALER, AND ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO MAKE
THE REQUIRED CORRECTION ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN
THIS BULLETIN.

PARTS INFORMATION

PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN ARE TO BE OBTAINED FROM
GMSPO. TO ENSURE THESE PARTS WILL BE OBTAINED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,
THEY SHOULD BE ORDERED FROM GMSPO ON A "C.I.O." ORDER WITH NO
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION CODE, BUT ON AN ADVISE CODE 2.

QUANTITY/ PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION VEHICLE

25509419 BRASS COMBINATION VALVE 1

18018141 PRESSURE SWITCH (INCLUDES O-RING) 1

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. INSPECT PRESSURE SWITCH. IF THE CURRENT PRESSURE SWITCH IS GRAY,
MOVE ON TO STEP 2. IF THE CURRENT SWITCH IS BLACK, REMOVE AND REPLACE
PRESSURE SWITCH ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE BELOW AND THEN MOVE
ON TO STEP 2.

A. DEPRESSURIZE POWERMASTER UNIT BY TURNING IGNITION "OFF", AND APPLY
AND RELEASE BRAKE PEDAL A MINIMUM OF TEN (10) TIMES USING
APPROXIMATELY FIFTY (50) POUNDS OF FORCE ON PEDAL TO FULLY DEPLETE
THE POWER ASSIST.

NOTICE: FAILURE TO FULLY DEPRESSURIZE POWERMASTER UNIT COULD
RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID BEING SPRAYED ON SERVICE PERSONNEL AND
COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO PAINTED SURFACES.

B. DISCONNECT 3-WIRE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR (FIG. 1, 40) FROM PRESSURE
SWITCH (FIG. 1, 1).

C. REMOVE OLD PRESSURE SWITCH (FIG. 1, 1).

D. LUBRICATE NEW O-RING (FIG. 1, 2) WITH CLEAN, FRESH BRAKE FLUID AND
INSTALL ON NEW PRESSURE SWITCH.

E. INSTALL NEW PRESSURE SWITCH (FIG. 1, 1), TIGHTEN TO 20-27 NM (15-20 LB.
FT.).

NOTICE: TORQUE VALUES SPECIFIED ARE FOR DRY, UNLUBRICATED
FASTENERS.

F. RECONNECT 3-WIRE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR (FIG. 1, 40) TO PRESSURE
SWITCH (FIG. 1, 1). BE SURE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IS SECURELY SEATED.

2. LOCATE COMBINATION VALVE (ON FRAME RAIL BELOW MASTER CYLINDER).
IF THE CURRENT COMBINATION VALVE IS THE POTENTIALLY FAULTY CAST
IRON VALVE TYPE THE VALVE MUST BE REPLACED WITH A BRASS VALVE TYPE
BY FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE BELOW. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS THE
BRASS VALVE, THE COMBINATION VALVE DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED.
PROCEED TO STEP 3. FIGURE 2 ON THE NEXT PAGE ILLUSTRATES THE
DIFFERENCES IN THE TWO VALVE TYPES.

A. REMOVE THE ELECTRICAL WARNING HARNESS CONNECTOR FROM THE
PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH BY SQUEEZING THE ELIPTICAL-SHAPED
PLASTIC LOCK RING AND PULLING UP. A PAIR OF PLIERS MAY AID IN REMOVING
THE CONNECTOR.

B. DISCONNECT HYDRAULIC LINES AT COMBINATION VALVE. PLUG LINES TO
PREVENT LOSS OF FLUID AND ENTRANCE OF DIRT.

C. REMOVE POTENTIALLY FAULTY CAST IRON COMBINATION VALVE.

D. INSTALL BRASS COMBINATION VALVE. TORQUE MOUNTING BOLTS TO 20 NM
(14 LB. FT.).

E. CONNECT WARNING HARNESS SWITCH TO VALVE SWITCH TERMINAL.

F. REMOVE PLUGS AND CONNECT HYDRAULIC LINES AT COMBINATION VALVE.
TORQUE LINES TO 24 NM (18 LB. FT.).

G. CONNECT ELECTRICAL WARNING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO PRESSURE
CONTROL DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH.

H. BLEED ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. DO NOT MOVE VEHICLE UNTIL A FIRM BRAKE
PEDAL IS OBTAINED.

I. CHECK BRAKE LINES FOR PROPER CLEARANCES.

3. INSTALL CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL.

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 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 FOR PERIODIC SERVICING BY THE OWNER.

APPLY "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL" ONLY ON A CLEAN DRY SURFACE.

CLAIM INFORMATION

SUBMIT A PRODUCT CAMPAIGN CLAIM WITH THE INFORMATION INDICATED
BELOW: * FAILED PARTS LABOR LAB OTH REPAIR PERFORMED PC PART NO.
ALLOW CC-FC OP. HRS HRS

INSPECT - NO - -- -- SK-00 V6160 0.2 0.1 REPLACEMENT NEEDED PRESSURE
SWITCH OR COMBINATION VALVE
------------------------------------------------------------------ INSPECT COMBO VALVE 1
18018141 ** SK-00 V6161 0.4 0.1 + PRESSURE SWITCH. REPLACE PRESSURE SWITCH
ONLY. ------------------------------------------------------------------ INSPECT COMBO
VALVE 1 25509419 ** SK-00 V6162 0.9 0.1 + PRESSURE SWITCH. REPLACE COMBO
VALVE ONLY. ------------------------------------------------------------------
INSPECT/REPLACE 2 25509419 ** SK-00 V6163 1.2 0.1 COMBO VALVE AND
PRESSURE SWITCH ------------------------------------------------------------------

* CAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATIVE ALLOWANCE

** THE "PARTS ALLOWANCE" SHOULD BE THE SUM TOTAL OF THE CURRENT
GMSPO DEALER NET PRICE PLUS 30% OF ALL PARTS REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR.

DEALERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THE CORRECT LABOR AND MATERIAL
ALLOWANCE BASED ON THE LABOR OPERATION PERFORMED.

REFER TO THE CHEVROLET CLAIMS PROCESSING MANUAL FOR DETAILS ON
PRODUCT CAMPAIGN CLAIM SUBMISSION.

REIMBURSEMENT

CUSTOMER REQUESTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF PRIOR REPLACEMENT OF THE
POWERMASTER BRAKE ASSEMBLY ARE TO BE SUBMITTED ACCORDING TO THE
FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THIS BULLETIN (ADDITIONAL COPIES
TO BE REPRODUCED LOCALLY) WITHIN 3 MONTHS (90 DAYS) OF THE DATE OF
THEIR OWNER LETTER. OWNERS MUST SUBMIT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION
THAT REASONABLY CONFIRMS THE AMOUNT OF UNREIMBURSED REPAIR
EXPENSES, A DESCRIPTION OF THE REPAIR, THE DATE OF THE REPAIR, AND THE
PERSON OR ENTITY PERFORMING THE REPAIR TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT.

COPYRIGHT 1990 CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS
CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

** BUICK INFORMATION ONLY:

VEHICLES INVOLVED

INVOLVED ARE CERTAIN 1985, 1986 AND 1987 REGAL 3.8L TURBO ENGINE
COUPES AND 1986 LESABRE AND ELECTRA ESTATE WAGONS WITH
POWERMASTER BRAKE SYSTEM BUILT WITHIN THE FOLLOWING VIN
BREAKPOINTS

YEAR MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH 1985 REGAL TURBO COUPE PONTIAC
FP400004 FP427709 1986 REGAL TURBO COUPE PONTIAC GP201039 GP459261 1986
ESTATE WAGON FAIRFAX GX400001 GX418126 1987 REGAL TURBO COUPE
PONTIAC HP400001 HP465289

BUICK CLAIM INFORMATION

SUBMIT A PRODUCT CAMPAIGN CLAIM WITH THE INFORMATION INDICATED
BELOW: * FAILED PARTS LABOR LAB OTH DLR. OPER. PC PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC
OP. HRS HRS MTL TWG ------------------------------------------------------------------ - --
-- 96 V6160 0.2 0.1* ----

INSPECT - NO REPLACEMENT NEEDED - PRESSURE SWITCH OR
COMBINATION VALUE

1 18018141 ** 96 V6161 0.4 0.1* ----

INSPECT AND REPLACE PRESSURE SWITCH ONLY (ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES)

1 25509419 ** 96 V6162 0.9 0.1* 2.86***

INSPECT AND REPLACE COMVINATION VALUE (1986 LESABRE AND ELECTRA
ESTATE

2 25509419 ** 96 V6163 1.2 0.1* 2.86***

INSPECT AND REPLACE PRESSURE SWITCH AND COMVINATION VALUE (1986
LESABRE AND ELECTRA ESTATE WAGON ONLY)
------------------------------------------------------------------ - -- -- 96 T1640 (SEE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REIMBURSEMENT) REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSLY
CUSTOMER PAID REPAIRS ------------------------------------------------------------------

* DEALER ADMINISTRATION ALLOWANCE ** LIST CURRENT DEALER PRICE, PLUS
30% *** MATERIAL ALLOWANCE FOR HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID (DOT 3)

BUICK REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. CUSTOMER PRESENTS DEALER WITH ORIGINAL PAID RECEIPTS COVERING
REPAIRS.

2. DEALER COMPETES A REPAIR ORDER (R.O.) SHOWING THE FOLLOWING -
REPAIR ORDER DATA - VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER - CURRENT MILEAGE -
OWNER'S ADDRESS - ATTACHES ORIGINAL OWNER'S OR DEALER'S PAID
INVOICES/RECEIPTS REPAIR - USE LABOR OPERATION NUMBER T1640 AND
FAILURE CODE 96 - ENTER TOTAL OF REIMBURSEMENT BASED ON 100% OF
OWNERS EXPENSE

3. OWNER SIGNS THE REPAIR ORDER AS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF REQUESTED
REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT.

4. OWNER IS GIVEN A COPY OF REPAIR ORDER.

5. DEALER ASSIGNS A WARRANTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (WMS)
AUTHORIZATION CODE TO THE CLAIM AND ENTERS IT ON THE WMS
AUTHORIZATION LOG.

6. THE DEALER SUBMITS A CLAIM TO BUICK FOR PROCESSING

7. DEALER ISSUES THE OWNER A REIMBURSEMENT CHECK FOR THE APPROVED
AMOUNT. THE CHECK NUMBER MUST BE ENTERED ON THE REPAIR ORDER AND
A COPY OF THE CHECK MUST BE ATTACHED TO ORIGINAL PAID INVOICES
RECEIPTS.

8. ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW BY
BUICK

NOTICE: REFER TO BUICK SERVICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURE MANUAL,
SECTION 1.6.11 FOR SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR CUSTOMER
REIMBURSEMENT VERIFICATION.

IN THE EVENT THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND THE OWNER CANNOT
REACH AGREEMENT ON AMOUNT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT AFTER
REVIEW OF INVOICES/RECEIPTS, THE ZONE/BRANCH SHOULD BE CONTACTED
FOR DETERMINATION OF COVERED EXPENSES. IN SUCH CASES, AN
EXPLANATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE R.O.

** PONTIAC INFORMATION ONLY:

VEHICLES INVOLVED

INVOLVED ARE CERTAIN 1986 PONTIAC PARISIENNE STATION WAGONS WITH
POWERMASTER BRAKE SYSTEMS BUILT WITHIN THE FOLLOWING VIN
BREAKPOINTS:

YEAR MODEL FROM THROUGH 1986 FAIRFAX GX200005 GX285088

PONTIAC CLAIM INFORMATION:

A SEPARATE REPAIR ORDER MUST BE USED FOR EACH VEHICLE. A COMPLETED
WARRANTY CLAIM IS TO BE KEPT AS A PERMANENT RECORD OF COMPLETION.

DEALERS SHOULD SUBMIT WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CREDIT IN THEIR NORMAL
MANNER WHEN THEY PERFORM THE SERVICE AS FOLLOWS:

OTHER* FAILURE LABOR LABOR LABOR OPERATION CODE OPERATION HOURS
HOURS -------------- --------- --------- ------- -------- INSPECT PRESSURE SWITCH
AND COMBINATION VALUVE-NO REPLACEMENTS NEEDED 96 V6160 0.2 0.1

INSPECT COMBINATION VALVE AND PRESSURE SWITCH-REPLACE PRESSURE
SWITCH ONLY 96 V6161 0.4 0.1

INSPECT COMBINATION VALVE AND PRESSURE SWITCH-REPLACE
COMBINATION VALVE ONLY 96 V6162 0.9 0.1

INSPECT/REPLACE COMBINATION VALVE AND PRESSURE SWITCH 96 V6163 1.2
0.1

OWNER REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRIOR REPLACEMENT OF THE POWERMASTER
BRAKE ASSEMBLY, COMBINATION VALVE, AND/OR PRESSURE SWITCH 95 T1640
--- ---

* IN ADDITION, DEALERSHIPS WILL RECEIVE 0.1 HOURS CREDIT FOR DEALER
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CAMPAIGN. THE 0.1 HOURS
ALLOWANCE IS TO BE ENTERED IN THE 'OTHER LABOR HOURS' FIELD WITH EACH
CAMPAIGN REPAIR LISTED FOR CREDIT. THIS ENTRY WILL NOT REQUIRE
AUTHORIZATION.

FAILURE CODE 96 MUST BE USED WITH THE LABOR OPERATION.

PARTS REQUIRED ARE TO BE LISTED IN YOUR WARRANTY CLAIM IN THE
NORMAL MANNER. PARTS WILL BE CREDITED AT DEALER NET PLUS 30% DEALER
HANDLING ALLOWANCE.

DEALERS WILL BE CREDITED VIA WARRANTY DOCUMENT OR TERMINAL
TRANSMISSION, WHICHEVER IS THEIR NORMAL METHOD OF SUBMISSION FOR
PAYMENT. CLAIM MUST CONTAIN ALL INFORMATION REQUIRED AND SHOULD
LIST THE LABOR OPERATION AS OUTLINED.

** OLDSMOBILE INFORMATION ONLY:

VEHICLES INVOLVED

INVOLVED ARE CERTAIN 1986 PONTIAC PARISIENNE STATION WAGONS WITH
POWERMASTER BRAKE SYSTEMS BUILT WITHIN THE FOLLOWING VIN
BREAKPOINTS:

YEAR MODEL FROM THROUGH MODEL NAME 1986 'B' WAGON GX200005
GX285088 CUSTOMER CRUISER

OLDSMOBILE CLAIM INFORMATION:

SUBMIT CLAIMS USING NO MORE THAN ONE OF THE 'V' LABOR-OPS BELOW FOR
EACH VEHICLE. AS APPROPRIATE, BOTH A 'T' LABOR OP AND ONE 'V' LABOR- OP
MAN BE SUBMITTED ON A VEHICLE.

FAILURE LABOR LABOR OPERATION CODE OPERATION HOURS TOT-PTS
-------------- --------- --------- ------- ------- INSPECT PRESSURE SWITCH OR
COMBINATION VALUVE-NO REPLACEMENTS NEEDED 96 V6160 0.2*

INSPECT COMBINATION VALVE AND PRESSURE SWITCH-REPLACE PRESSURE
SWITCH ONLY 96 V6161 0.4*

INSPECT COMBINATION VALVE AND PRESSURE SWITCH-REPLACE
COMBINATION VALVE ONLY 96 V6162 0.9*

INSPECT/REPLACE COMBINATION VALVE AND PRESSURE SWITCH 96 V6163 1.2*

OWNER REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRIOR REPLACEMENT OF THE POWERMASTER
BRAKE ASSEMBLY, COMBINATION VALVE, AND/OR PRESSURE SWITCH (PRIOR
ZONE AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED 96 T1640 ---

* .1 HOUR FOR CLERICAL ADMINISTRATION MAY BE ADDED TO THE PUBLISHED
LABOR HOURS.

PARTS ALLOWANCE: CURRENT DEALER PRICE, PLUS 30% HANDLING
ALLOWANCE.

THE COST OF BRAKE FLUID MAY BE APPLIED FOR IN THE USUAL MANNER.

**GENERAL MOTERS DISCLAIMER***

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer".
They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to
provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians
have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a
condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle
will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors
vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.




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