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Warranty Admin.- PCM Product Feedback Program

Subject:Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Product Feedback Program (Parts Return and Required Repair Order Documentation)

Models:2001 and Prior Passenger Cars and Trucks

Attention: Dealership Service and Parts Managers


A significant number of PCMs that are returned to GM test out with No Trouble Found (NTF). This can be caused by a number of factors. Unfortunately, the information received with the returned unit frequently lacks the necessary detail to perform an analysis targeted to the actual failure condition. For this reason, a more extensive return process is being established using the Warranty Parts Center (WPC).

Effective immediately starting with 1996 and new model year vehicles, any PCM replaced under warranty (using labor operation J6360 only), should be held in the dealer's inventory until the claim has been paid. The Warranty Parts Center (WPC)/Corporate Parts Return (CPR) Program may require the replaced PCM with a copy of the repair order (or repair order only) to be returned by the dealer to the WPC.

The WPC will notify the dealer of the PCM and R.O. return request by sending a "GM Part and Repair Order Return Request" message via the Dealer Communication System (DCS) within the "Part Return CPR" report application on Tuesday and Friday of each week as warranty claims are paid. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 99-00-89-019, dated October, 1999 (US dealers) or HOL#1999-201 (Canadian dealers).

Important: The most critical step within this program is that the dealer MUST document the following information on the repair order anytime a PCM is replaced. If the PCM and/or the R.O. is requested by the WPC to be returned and the required information has not been documented on the R.O. correctly, the dealer may be debited for the total cost of the replaced PCM, any dealer cost mark-up, any core cost, plus shipping and handling costs.

Required Repair Order Information

    • Detailed customer concern.
    • Was the Malfunction Indicator Light/Service Engine Soon (MIL/SES) indicator ON.
    • List all the PCM diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) set (current or history).
        If no DTCs are set, "No DTCs Set" should be indicated.
    • List the PCM Calibration Identification (Cal ID) number.

Also, in order to provide improved PCM Diagnostic Procedures, please list the GM Service Information Document ID Number (from SI2000) that led to the PCM replacement.

Important: The PCM diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), Calibration Identification (Cal ID) number, and the GM Service Information Document ID Number (from SI2000) should be documented in the Failure Code (99999) Comments section. Refer to the Policy and Procedures Manual (Section IV Warranty Claim Data -- G Failure Code (or OBDII Code)).

EXAMPLE:

Repair Order Information:

Customer states MIL intermittently comes ON and the engine runs rough for about 5 minutes.

Comments: P0101 (H), P0300 (C), Cal #12567935, Doc #562917

GM appreciates your support in this product improvement initiative.