Customer Satisfaction - Erratic Fuel Gauge

General Motors has decided that certain 2000-01 J and N model vehicles equipped with plastic fuel tanks which use fuel from certain Canadian provinces and Maine may exhibit a condition in which the fuel gauge displays incorrect readings. On vehicles with this condition, the fuel tank may be near empty while the fuel gauge indicates 1/4 to 1/2 tank of fuel remaining. This could result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel.

Dealers are to install a new fuel level indicator, strainer and fuel tank gasket.

Involved are certain 2000-01 J and N model vehicles equipped with plastic fuel tanks and built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering requirements. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

Caution: When handling fuel and fuel system components, be sure to follow recommended procedures and observe all safety precautions.

1. Replace the fuel level indicator card, the fuel strainer, and the O-ring following the procedure in the Engine Controls subsection of the appropriate Service Manual.
2. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

For US

Place a Campaign Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and 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.

Put the Campaign Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by calling 1-888-549-6152 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

For Canada

Place a Campaign Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and 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.

Put the Campaign Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number GMP91 when ordering.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below.

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claim Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

Customers have already been notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). This was done so those customers would be informed and could take appropriate actions to avoid running out of fuel until parts to correct this condition are available. We have recommended that customers refill their fuel tank when it reaches 1/2 full or as soon as possible after that point.

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors has received reports from customers in Maine and some Canadian provinces of erratic gas gauge readings on certain 2000 and 2001 model GM cars. Our records indicate that your are an owner/lessee of one of the potentially affected vehicles.

Investigation and analysis of the reasons for this concern have revealed that a small amount of impurity in the gasoline is affecting fuel gauge components in the fuel tank.

General Motors has been in contact with various gasoline suppliers in the affected areas and several oil companies are doing their own investigation into this impurity. Once the source of the impurity, which is believed to be elemental sulfur, is identified the fuel suppliers can make the necessary changes that will prevent the impurity from affecting the tank components. Additionally, General Motors is currently working with our supplier developing and evaluating new fuel gauge components that can tolerate this impurity with no adverse impact on the performance of the fuel gauge. Your GM dealer will be notified when new impurity-resistant parts become available in January 2001.

The most probable symptom that your vehicle may experience is erratic or unreliable gas gauge readings including the possibility that the vehicle may run out of gas while the gauge is still reading approximately 1/4 of a tank. General Motors recommends that until your fuel system components are updated, you fill your tank when it reaches 1/2 full or a s soon as is practical after that point (this is a good idea in colder weather anyway). If you have not experienced any problems with your gas gauge, please continue to purchase your gas where you have been doing so in the past. If you have experienced problems with your gas gauge, please contact your dealer after January 15, 2001 to schedule an appointment to have your vehicle updated. This update will be performed at no charge to you under customer satisfaction campaign #00101.

We apologize for the inconvenience that this issue may cause you; however, your satisfaction with your <Division> vehicle and with <Division> is of the highest importance to us.

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure