Dealer Letter

October, 1996

To:
All Ford and L-M Dealers

Subject:
Safety Recall 96S48 (Left Side) and 96S99 (Right Side) 1990-1992 Probes - Passive Seat Belt Assembly.

Affected Vehicles
All 1990-1992 Probes.

Reasons For Recall
The motorized shoulder belt of the affected vehicles may malfunction due to wear of the rail assemblies that guide the moveable shoulder belt anchorages along the sides of the roof above the doors. Eventually, the moveable anchorages could jam in positions along the rails and not lock in place at the "B" pillar. If this were to occur, the system may not provide the proper protection to the front occupants in the event of a collision.

Recall program 96S48 requires replacement of the left hand shoulder harness rail on all vehicles; recall program 96S99 requires inspection of the right hand shoulder harness rail and, if necessary, replacement (the left side rail will be replaced on all vehicles because of the frequency of usage versus the right side). In addition, dealers are instructed, through the attached diagnostics, to make any additional repairs necessary to restore system operation.

A malfunction in a motorized shoulder belt does not reduce the effectiveness of any lap belt. Occupants should be instructed to continue to wear their lap belts.

Parts Limitations
BECAUSE PARTS TO PERFORM THIS PROGRAM ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY UNTIL DECEMBER 15, 1996, OWNERS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE OPERATING PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (THE MOVEABLE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE TRAVELS FULLY FORWARD WHEN AN ADJACENT DOOR IS OPENED AND FULLY REARWARD WHEN AN ADJACENT DOOR IS CLOSED AND THE IGNITION IS IN THE ON POSITION), ARE BEING ASKED TO WAIT TO HAVE THE SERVICE PERFORMED UNTIL PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH INOPERATIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (THE BELT DOES NOT TRAVEL FULLY FORWARD AND REARWARD AS DESCRIBED ABOVE), ARE BEING ASKED TO RETURN TO DEALERS NOW. DEALERS ARE TO REPAIR THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM TO AN OPERATIONAL LEVEL FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED. (OWNERS MAY HAVE TO RETURN FOR THE RAIL REPLACEMENT WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE AFTER DECEMBER 15, 1996).

DO NOT PERFORM THESE SERVICES ON OPERATING RESTRAINT SYSTEMS UNTIL AFTER DECEMBER 15, 1996.

AFTER DECEMBER 15, 1996 AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF PARTS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THESE SERVICES ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.

TWO RECALL NUMBERS
Please note that for administrative reasons necessitated by parts availability, repair of each vehicle requires the completion of two recalls - 96S48 for the left hand restraint system and 96S99 for the right hand restraint system. PLEASE BE SURE TO SUBMIT CLAIMS PROPERLY - SEE ATTACHMENT II FOR DETAILS.

Affected Unit Listing
An affected unit listing will not be available for this recall until January, 1997.

Special Inspection Tool - Immediate Action Required
A SPECIAL INSPECTION TOOL WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE REQUIRED INSPECTION OF THE RIGHT HAND PASSIVE RESTRAINT RAIL. ORDER THIS TOOL (ROTUNDA NO.) BY CALLING 1-800-325-5621. ONE INSPECTION TOOL PER DEALERSHIP WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE VIA OVERNIGHT DELIVERY. WHEN CALLING THIS NUMBER BE PREPARED TO GIVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

^ RECALL NUMBER 96S48 / 96S99
^ DEALER P & A CODE
^ MAILING ADDRESS
^ PERSON TO WHOM TOOL SHOULD BE SENT

Questions?
Claims Information 1-800-423-8851
Other Recall Questions 1-800-325-5621
Special Tool Ordering 1-800-325-5621

Attachments

Attachment I
^ Administrative Information

Attachment II
^ Labor Allowances
^ Parts Ordering Information

Attachment III
^ Diagnostic Flow Chart

Attachment IV
^ Technical Instructions (Rail Inspection/Replacement)

Attachment V
^ Technical Instructions (System Diagnosis)