To get the latest technical information to you quickly, the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) uses a document called Preliminary Information (PI). The typical PI contains the description of a condition, the affected vehicles, and a resolution or repair.
TIP:Â The only place PIs appear is on the Service Information (SI) website.
Here's some background about how PIs are developed, and some tips for getting the most from them.
Regardless of where the information about an issue originates, it is reviewed by Brand Quality and TAC before the decision is made publish a PI. Compared with the process for creating a Service Bulletin, the PI process is streamlined. Ideally, a PI can be posted within 24 hour of the issue becoming known.
Brand Quality reviews PIs on a regular basis, and when it's appropriate, a Service Bulletin may be developed from a PI.
PI Designations
The PI number is prefaced by one of three designations:
PIP for powertrain issues
PIC for car issues
PIT for truck issues
Using PIs Effectively
When you're on the SI website home page, look at the directory. The third option button says:
See the newest bulletins, campaigns and preliminary information in Latest News.
Click on this button to see a listing of the newest documents that have been posted.
TIP:Â You can change the time period covered by this list by selecting a number between 1 and 8 weeks. You can also customize the list to cover all vehicles or a specific brand, using the pulldown menu.
Scroll down the display and you will find listings for Bulletins and Campaigns, followed by Preliminary Information.
TIP:Â You should review this list daily to be sure you're always aware of the latest information.
If you proceed to "build" a vehicle and go to the Service Manual/Bulletins section, you will find a list of the PIs that apply to the vehicle specified.
Several other ways to locate relevant PIs is to use the SI keyword search or to specify a VIN.
TIP:Â Always review the model list in the PI to be sure the PI applies to the vehicle that you are working on. For example, three different engine RPO codes may be available for the vehicle you are working on, but the PI may apply only to vehicles with a specific engine RPO code. Typically, if the PI applies only to vehicles with a specific RPO code, it will be listed in the model list, directly under the model years and models.
- Thanks to Jack McVoy
On the Buick Lucerne, here's an important step to prevent damage to the armrest clip openings when removing the front door trim panel.
TIP: After releasing all of the retainers along the outer perimeter of the door trim panel, hold the panel away from the door and lift up on the panel to disengage the two clips that anchor the armrest into the door sheet metal.
The entire procedure is outlined in SI document 1646988.
- Thanks to Scott Brewster
This information applies to the 2004-06 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-06 Pontiac G6, 2007 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
These vehicles do not have a service part released for the shift control indicator illumination bulb. To prevent customer dissatisfaction and to provide a cost-effective repair, a generally available bulb Osram Sylvania 2723 can be used as a replacement on these vehicles. A bulb with a GM part number will be listed in the GMSPO catalog in the near future.
- Thanks to David MacGillis
Recent dealer feedback indicates wheel marring issues from using non-OEM wheel weights. Bulletins have recently been published to both Service Managers and Parts Managers in an effort to increase awareness and teamwork in the area of wheel appearance related to weight usage, including different ways of ordering weights.
Refer to Service Bulletin number 06-03-10-004 and Parts Bulletin number GMP06-051.Â
- Thanks to Doug Ritter
The fuel filler pipe has been redesigned for the 2006 model year to eliminate the spring loaded steel "flapper." The new design will be phased in when the existing stock is used up.
These vehicles are the first to be affected: Corvette, XLR, STS, CTS, Impala, Monte Carlo, LaCrosse, Allure, Grand Prix, Cobalt, Pursuit, HHR, Solstice, Malibu, midsize utilities, Hummer H3. Others will follow.
On the earlier design with a plastic filler pipe, the metal flapper was part of the ground path for electrostatic discharge when the fuel fill nozzle is inserted.
In the new design, a metal pipe with metal restrictor serves as a ground path without need for the flapper.
This is normal. Do not replace any parts for this condition. If the fuel filler neck with flapper door is replaced, the service part will be missing the flapper door.
- Thanks to Wayne Zigler and Dino Poulos
On a Corvette, the climate control readout may display an outside temperature reading that does not represent the actual outside temperature.
Be aware that there is a 3-hour timeout period for this system. If the vehicle is turned off, then restarted within 3 hours, the outside temperature display will retain the temperature being displayed when the vehicle was turned off. If the actual outside temperature changes during this time, the readout will not agree.
This is normal operation and no repair is necessary.
- Thanks to Art Spong
The Corvette driver information center may display an Ice Possible message when the outside temperature is not cold enough for ice to form.
TIP:Â This condition is most likely to occur in a new vehicle.
The condition may be caused by an improper connection. Before replacing parts, try these steps.
1. Disconnect the battery. This step is very important.
2. Remove the AC control head, and disconnect the three connectors at the back.
3. Wait 60 seconds, then reconnect the AC Control head connectors, making sure they are properly locked.
4. Reconnect the battery.
TIP:Â Any time the battery is disconnected and reconnected, initialize the power windows (see SI document 1460906).
- Thanks to Art Spong
Owners of some Sierra, Silverado, and full-size utility vehicles (all years) may comment that, when refueling at certain fuel stations, the fuel pump shuts off before the fuel tank is completely filled.
This is not a fault with the GM fuel system. It is an industry-wide issue with variations in OPW 11B fuel nozzles. Until the fuel station industry replaces these defective nozzles, advise customers with this concern to try either a different pump or a different fuel station.
- Thanks to Tom Mannering
This information applies to 2007 and prior passenger cars and light duty trucks equipped with automatic transmission.
Some vehicles may move slightly forward or reverse while in Park at start up after a cold soak and may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
The movement is due to the residual transmission fluid in the clutch packs that creates a partial apply on start up. The movement is stopped by the parking pawl and/or transmission fluid exhausting completely from the clutch packs.
This slight movement has no adverse effect on the transmission and no repair should be attempted. This condition is normal and can be verified by comparing with another identically built vehicle under the same cold conditions.
TIP:Â To prevent this condition from occurring, the parking brake should be used according to Owner Manual recommendations anytime the vehicle is parked.
- Thanks to Rusty Sampsel
When replacing the instrument cluster on a 2003-06 Chevrolet SSR, you must remove the bezel, lens and three rubber plugs from the old cluster.
The new cluster is shipped with a TrailBlazer lens and bezel. Remove the lens and bezel by unlocking the four plastic tabs. Install the three rubber plugs, lens and bezel removed from the SSR cluster before putting the new cluster into the vehicle.
TIP:Â Be sure to install the plugs, to avoid light leaks.
TIP:Â Don't order the complete cluster to obtain parts. They are available individually.
- Thanks to Dan Oden
Owners of some 2000-05 Cadillac DeVilles with the Digital Instrument Cluster (RPO U02) may comment that the instrument panel cluster display is either erratic or inoperative ("logic lock") on an intermittent basis. During diagnostics, multiple U-codes may be observed on the scan tool.
The cause is a software anomaly within the I/P cluster communication chip. To correct the condition, reprogram the IPC using the latest calibration available in TIS. For further details, refer to SI document 1785490, issued March 14, 2006.
- Thanks to Bill Denton
This information applies to the 2006 Cadillac XLR and XLR-V and Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Z06.
When performing diagnostics using the Tech 2, it may be noted that there is no communication with Exhaust Flow Control Module (EFCM). Its purpose is to control the exhaust valve at the tailpipe and is equipped only on the 2006 Cadillac XLR-V (4.4L V8 RPO LC3 Supercharged) and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (7.0L V8 RPO LS7).
On vehicles without the EFCM, the Tech 2 will display no communication with the EFCM. This is a normal operation of the Tech 2. Ignore the module if the vehicle is not equipped and continue with diagnostics.
- Thanks to Dino Poulos
The 4L60E/4L65E automatic transmission used on 2003-07 cars and trucks may experience a condition of slipping, late or missed shifts in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. An internal transmission disassembly may reveal a 2-4 band and/or a 3-4 clutch being distressed.
Based on engineering transmission quality reviews, the following items should be inspected and or replaced as required. These items were found to be the cause of the distress to the 2-4 band and 3-4 clutch.
TIP:Â First check transmission fluid level. This transmission is very sensitive to low oil level.
Also check:
- Low Line pressure (perform a PCS test as defined in SI)
- 1-2 accumulator piston cracked or broken
- 2-4 Servo Piston
- 2-4 Servo Apply Pin for being nicked, scored, binding in the pin bore
- 2-4 Servo Piston Bore for being scored or mismachined
- 2-4 Band Anchor Pin (41) missing (low mileage)
- Servo Feed Oil Passage blocked with sediment
- Forward Clutch Apply Piston Seals for being cut or damaged
- Forward Clutch Apply Piston for being cracked
- Turbine shaft oil seal rings for cut or damaged.
- 3-4 Clutch Apply Piston Seals for being cut or damaged
- 3-4 Clutch Apply Piston for being cracked
- 3-4 Clutch and Forward Clutch oil feed passage blocked or restricted (should flow check the housing, and inspect the passages for proper location)
- 3-4 Clutch and Forward Clutch Turbine Shaft Sealing Rings for being damaged or missing
- 3-4 Clutch check ball (620) for leaking
- 3-4 Clutch air bleed orifice cup plug (698) is in place
- Overrun Clutch Seal (632) damaged
- No. 7 Checkball for not being seated or leaking
- 4-3 Sequence Valve (383) undersized
- Boost Valve (219) stuck causing low line pressure
- Input Sun Gear to Input Carrier Thrust Bearing (700) damaged, came apart
- Selective Washer (616), extra washer installed
- Oil Pump Body (200) cracked, damaged
Also inspect to see if the rear stator shaft bushing (241) is worn on one side or damaged. The turbine shaft (621) may also be damaged in the stator bushing journal area.
This condition may be caused by the stator shaft (214) being non-concentric with the pump cover (215). If this condition is encountered, the pump cover should be replaced along with any residual damage.
If none of the above items are found to be the root cause for the failure, the Input Housing, Forward Clutch Piston and 3-4 Clutch Piston should be replaced and resealed as well as resealing the 2-4 Servo.
Full sized trucks and utilities should have the shift cable properly adjusted and/or replaced if the cable is not holding proper adjustment.
In the event the transmission as a repeat 2-4 Band or 3-4 Clutch Failure, after following the above information, the transmission should be replaced.
- Thanks to Rusty Sampsel