Recall - Hood Latch Adjustment
No. 548June, 1992
To: All Chrysler-Plymouth Dealers
Subject:
Safety Recall # 548 -- Hood Latch Adjustment
Models:
1992 Model Year Chrysler LeBaron Coupe and Convertible (AJ-Body) Built at Newark Assembly Plant From Job # 1 Through February 26, 1992
The hood latches on involved vehicles may be misadjusted so that the secondary latch will not engage. To correct the condition the latches must be inspected for proper secondary latch engagement and adjusted as necessary.
Instructions will also be sent to owners for inspecting the latch function if they prefer. If the latch needs adjustment, owners will be instructed to make an appointment with their dealers for the service.
Important:
Some of the involved vehicles may still be in dealer stock. Federal law requires you to complete the service on these vehicles before retail delivery.
Details of this service action are explained in the following sections.
Note:
No videotape of the service procedure for this recall will be provided.
Dealer Notification & Vehicle List
Involved dealers: Each dealer to whom involved vehicles were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same location) will receive a copy of this dealer recall notification letter and a Vehicle List of the involved vehicles by Certified Mail.
Important:
Dealer notification by Certified Mail is required by federal law. Responsible dealership personnel should be instructed to sign for this Certified Mail without hesitation as it concerns urgent safety recall information.
The Vehicle List is arranged in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to Chrysler are also listed. The list is for dealer reference in arranging for service of involved vehicles.
All dealers: To ensure that all affected dealers receive these instructions promptly, a separate distribution of this dealer recall notification letter will be made to all Chrysler-Plymouth and Dodge dealers by first class mail.
DIAL System Function 70
All involved vehicles will be entered to DIAL System Function 70 at the time of recall implementation for dealer inquiry by VIN as needed.
Parts
No parts are required for this service.
Owner Notification and Service Scheduling
All involved vehicle owners known to Chrysler are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. Owners are requested to make an appointment for this 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. The involved vehicle and recall are identified on the form for owner or dealer reference as needed.
Service Procedure
A. Inspection
1. Unlatch the primary latch by the inside release.
2. Without touching the secondary latch, pull up on the hood vigorously several times to ensure that the secondary latch engages properly.
^ If the hood is held by the secondary latch and does not open, no further service is required.
^ If the hood opens past the secondary latch, the latch must be adjusted to properly engage the secondary latch. Proceed with the following section.
B. Hood Latch Adjustment
1. Loosen the hood-half latch assembly attaching screws (Figure 1).
2. Slowly close the hood and ensure that:
^ The primary latch is centered in the body-half latch hole.
^ The secondary latch freely enters the rectangular hole and the hook fully engages the rear edge of the hole.
^ If either latch does not engage as specified above, adjust the hood-half latch assembly until both engage properly.
3. Torque the latch attaching screws to 120 in.lbs. (13.5 N-m).
4. Raise the hood and close it with a firm push in the center or a free drop from approximately two feet. If the hood does not fully close, readjust the latch until the hood does fully close.
5. After final adjustment, again unlatch the primary hood latch. Without touching the secondary latch, pull up on the hood vigorously several times to ensure that the secondary latch engages properly.
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 applicable.
Vehicle Not Available
If a vehicle 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 -- HOOD LATCH ADJUSTMENT
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 1992 model Chrysler LeBaron Coupe and Convertible vehicles. The hood latch may be misadjusted so that it does not engage properly.
Your vehicle, identified on the enclosed form, is affected. Therefore we ask that you arrange for service to correct the condition without delay. The service as described in this letter will be provided free of charge.
The condition affects the hood secondary latch, which is designed to hold the hood down if the primary (main) latch is not engaged for any reason. In this case if the hood latch is misadjusted, the secondary latch may not engage, allowing the hood to open. This might allow the hood to raise without any warning during normal driving and possibly cause a vehicle crash.
To correct the condition the latch must be inspected for proper function and adjusted if necessary. Your dealer will perform the service for you without charge. The service will take about one-half 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 a service appointment.
^ Take the enclosed Owner Recall Notification Form with you at the time of your appointment and give it to your dealer. The form identifies the vehicle and the service that is required.
^ If you have any problem obtaining the needed correction, please contact the Chrysler Zone Service Office in your area. (It is listed under "Service Assistance" in your Owner's Manual.) A Zone representative will arrange for prompt attention to your vehicle.
If you prefer, you may perform the simple hood latch inspection yourself by following the instructions printed on the reverse side of this letter. If you perform the inspection yourself and find that the latch is properly adjusted, please mark "LATCH OK" on the pre-addressed Vehicle Disposition Form portion of the enclosed Owner Recall Notification Form and put it in the mail. No postage is required.
We regret any inconvenience which this action may cause you. However, we are concerned about your safety. If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge and 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.
OWNER INSTRUCTIONS: HOOD LATCH INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. Pull the inside hood release lever to disengage the hood primary latch.
2. Without touching the secondary latch (located under the front-of the hood), pull up on the hood vigorously several times to ensure that the secondary latch engages properly.
^ If the hood is held by the secondary latch and does not open, the latch is properly adjusted. You may close the hood to re-engage the primary latch, and no further service is required. In this case, please be sure to send in the enclosed Vehicle Disposition Form marked "Latch OK", for our records.
^ If the hood opens past the secondary latch, the latch must be adjusted to properly engage the secondary latch.
Important:
If hood latch adjustment is required, contact your dealer without delay for a service appointment. Until the service is completed to ensure secondary latch engagement, be sure that the hood primary latch is engaged before driving the vehicle.