Recall - Heater Blower Motor Resistor
No. 498April, 1991
To: All Dodge and Chrysler-Plymouth Dealers
Subject:
Safety Recall # 498 -- Heater Blower Motor Resistor
Models:
1990 Model Year
^ AC -- Chrysler New Yorker Salon, Dodge Dynasty
1991 Model Year, Vehicles Built Prior to September 5, 1990
^ AC -- Chrysler New Yorker Salon, Dodge Dynasty
^ AY -- Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue Without Automatic Temperature Control
On the listed model cars, water may leak through a fastener hole in the cowl panel above the heater blower motor resistor block, resulting in corrosion of the resistor block electrical terminals. Corrosion increases resistance, resulting in overheating of the terminals and subsequent loss of blower motor operation and/or possible fire starting in the cowl.
To correct the condition, the resistor block must be replaced and a mastic patch must be added to cover the hole on involved cars. In addition, the resistor block wiring connector must be inspected for heat damage and replaced as necessary.
Important:
Some of the involved cars may still be in dealer stock. Be sure to complete the service on these cars before retail delivery.
Details of this service action are explained in the following sections.
Note:
As an additional service aid, a videotape demonstrating the service procedure is included in the April, 1991 Master Tech program.
Vehicle List
Each dealer to whom involved cars were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same location) will receive a vehicle list with this letter arranged in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to Chrysler are also listed. The lists are for dealer reference in arranging for service of involved cars.
Each Dodge or Chrysler-Plymouth dealer without a Vehicle List will receive an information copy of this letter by Compak Mail for use in performing the service on involved cars upon request.
Parts
Important:
Recall parts will be billed to involved dealers in accordance with the recently announced Recall Parts Pricing policy.
A partial quantity of Heater Blower Motor Resistor Packages will be distributed initially to all Involved dealers. As this quantity will be only a portion of the total parts requirement, dealers must order additional packages as needed to support customer demand.
A. Heater Blower Motor Resistor Packages, PN C3940415, are now being shipped and billed to all involved dealers for service of affected cars. Each dealer to whom cars in the recall were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same location) will receive enough parts packages to service 50% of those cars. Each package contains (1) blower motor resistor block, (1) cowl screen fastener and (2) mastic patches.
Also included in each package is an instruction summary for convenient reference by the servicing technician.
B. Electrical Connector Packages, PN C3940414, must be ordered by dealers as necessary. Each package contains (1) resistor block electrical connector and wiring assembly, (5) pieces of heat shrink tubing, and an installation instruction sheet. Replace the connector only if the existing connector is heat damaged.
Owner Notification and Service Scheduling
All involved car owners known to Chrysler are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for the service with their dealers at the earliest possible date. A copy of the owner notification letter is included.
Enclosed with each owner notification is an Owner Recall Notification Form # 83-295-0019. The involved vehicle and recall are identified on the form for owner or dealer reference as needed.
Service Procedure
1. With ignition key in the off position, disconnect the battery.
2. Remove the passenger side windshield wiper arm.
3. Cut off the head of the fastener securing the far right (passenger) side of the cowl screen and push the fastener stem into the retaining hole.
Caution:
When pushing the fastener stem, do not drive the probe through the retaining hole far enough to damage the windshield.
4. Starting with the screw at the driver side wiper pivot, remove the screws retaining the passenger side of the cowl screen.
5. Lift the cowl screen to gain access to the windshield washer fluid reservoir and the blower motor resistor block.
6. Remove the fluid reservoir retaining screws and move the reservoir aside.
7. Disengage the snap-in fastener securing the underhood lamp wiring to the cowl at the location above the resistor, (Figure 1).
8. Cut off the stem of the fastener (this fastener will no longer be used).
9. Remove the wiring connector from the resistor.
Note:
At this time, inspect the resistor wiring connector. If the connector is heat damaged, replace it using parts package C3940414, (order as necessary). This package includes a new connector and wiring assembly, heat shrink tubing and an instruction sheet providing connector installation procedures.
10. Remove the resistor block attaching screws and remove the resistor block.
11. Install the supplied resistor block and secure the wiring connector to the resistor.
12. Install the larger of the supplied mastic patches to the cowl so that it completely covers and seals both the hole that was used for the underhood lamp fastener and the slotted hole adjacent to it, (Figure 2).
13. Use the supplied, smaller mastic patch to secure the underhood lamp wire to the large mastic patch in the location shown in Figure 3.
14. Reinstall the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
15. Reinstall the cowl screen, using the supplied plastic fastener to secure the far right side.
16. Reinstall the right side windshield wiper arm.
17. Reconnect the battery.
18. Test the blower motor operation at all speeds.
Completion Reporting and Reimbursement
Claims for vehicles which have been serviced must be submitted on the DIAL System. Claims submitted will be used by Chrysler to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.
Use one of the labor operation numbers and time allowances (see illustration).
Note:
See Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual, Chapter 6, Subsection H for complete recall claim processing instructions.
Parts Return
Not required.
Vehicle Not Available
If a car is not available for service for a known reason, let us know by filling out the pre-addressed Vehicle Disposition Form portion of the Owner Recall notification Form or describe the reason on a postcard and mail to:
Chrysler Corporation 415-03-18
Recall Coordination
P.O. Box 1919
Detroit, Michigan 48231-9986
Following the above procedures will expedite the processing of your claim.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact your Zone Service Office.
SAFETY RECALL - HEATER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR
Dear Chrysler Corporation Vehicle Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Chrysler Corporation has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990 and 1991 Chrysler New Yorker Salon and Dodge Dynasty, and some 1991 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue passenger cars.
On these cars, electrical terminals on the heater blower motor resistor block may corrode due to water leaking through a fastener hole in the cowl panel above the resistor block. This corrosion can increase electrical resistance, causing the terminals to overheat. A loss of blower motor operation may result. The overheating may also cause a fire to start in the cowl where the resistor block is located, which could be hazardous to vehicle occupants.
Your car, whose Vehicle Identification Number is shown on the enclosed form, is one of the affected vehicles. For this reason we ask that you arrange for service to correct the condition without delay. The service and required parts as defined in this letter will be provided free of charge.
To correct the condition, your dealer will replace the resistor block and seal the area above it. In addition, the dealer will inspect the resistor block wiring connector for heat damage and replace it if necessary.
The work will take about one hour to complete. However, additional time may be required depending on how dealer appointments are scheduled and processed. To obtain this free service:
^ Contact your dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for the service.
^ Take the enclosed Owner Recall Notification Form with you at the time of your appointment and give it to your dealer. The form shows the identification number for the vehicle which requires service.
If you have any problem obtaining the needed service, please contact the Chrysler Zone Service Office in your area. (It is listed under "Service Assistance" in your Operator's Manual.) A Zone representative will arrange for prompt servicing of your car.
We regret any inconvenience which this action may cause you. However, we believe that you understand our concern for motor vehicle safety, and for your continued satisfaction with our products. If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge within a reasonable time, you may submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the Toll Free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. (Washington D.C. area residents may call 366-0123.)
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.