Recall - Push-Pull Headlight Switch Replacement: Overview

Number: REISSUE 86C05(a)
Section: 8B

Date: September, 1986

Subject: PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN 86CO5(a)
PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT


Model and Year: 1986 CHEVROLET PASSENGER CARS, MEDIUM DUTY
TRUCKS AND 1985-1986 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS


TO: ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REISSUED TO SUPERSEDE PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN 86C05 DATED MAY, 1986. UPON RECEIPT OF THE REISSUED BULLETIN 86CO5(a) DESTROY 86CO5.

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to adequately repair within 60 days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.

If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the owners may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.

To avoid having to provide these burdensome solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the letter which is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the nearest Chevrolet Zone Office if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

CONDITION

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1986 Chevrolet Passenger Cars Medium Duty Trucks and 1985-1986 Light Duty Trucks. The push-pull headlight switch might have been manufactured with electrical contacts which could potentially result in an intermittent headlight circuit. An intermittent circuit could cause the headlights to suddenly go out. Sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
DEALER ACTION

To prevent this condition dealers are required to inspect, and if necessary, replace push-pull headlight switches on suspect vehicles per the Vehicles Involved and Service Procedure sections of this bulletin.