INFO. - PROPER ADJUST OF NEW TWIST-LOCK STYLE BRAKE. Buick Park Avenue 1997

SUBJECT: INFORMATION - PROPER ADJUSTMENT OF NEW TWIST-LOCK STYLE BRAKE SWITCHES

MODELS: 1996-98 BUICK LESABRE, PARK AVENUE, RIVIERA 1996-98 CADILLAC DEVILLE, ELDORADO, SEVILLE 1997-98 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1996 OLDSMOBILE NINETY EIGHT 1996-98 OLDSMOBILE AURORA, EIGHTY EIGHT, LSS, REGENCY 1997-98 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO 1996-98 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM 1996-98 TOYOTA CAVALIER

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING ISSUED TO ADVISE THAT NEW STYLE BRAKE SWITCHES WERE USED BEGINNING IN THE 1996 MODEL YEAR. THE TWO SWITCHES CONTROL THE BRAKE LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGE/RELEASE, TCC LOCK-UP/RELEASE AND THE BRAKE/TRANSMISSION INTER-LOCK FUNCTION. THE SWITCHES ARE ADJUSTED BY TWISTING RATHER THAN RATCHETING. USING THE OLD ADJUSTMENT METHOD OF PULLING UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BREAK THE SWITCH.

A MIS-ADJUSTED OR DAMAGED SWITCH MAY CAUSE CUSTOMER COMMENTS SUCH AS:

- BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON, DRAINING THE BATTERY

- CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE

- HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL CONSUMPTION IF TCC CANNOT ENGAGE

- BRAKE DRAG

- CRUISE CONTROL TAKES EXCESS PEDAL TRAVEL TO RELEASE

THE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE IN THE SERVICE MANUAL SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.

PROCEDURE:

1. INSERT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH INTO THE RETAINER UNTIL THE SWITCH BOTTOMS OUT AGAINST THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE SWITCH ACTUATOR IS FULLY DEPRESSED.

2. TURN THE BRAKE SWITCH IN THE RETAINER CLOCKWISE UNTIL THE TRAVEL STOP HAS BEEN REACHED. AT THIS POINT IT WILL BE LOCKED.

IMPORTANT:

IF THE SWITCH IS NOT FULLY LOCKED INTO POSITION, A CLICKING NOISE MAY RESULT.

3. THE BRAKE SWITCH PLUNGER SHOULD EXTEND OUTWARD 0.5 MM TO 1.5 MM (.02" TO .06") IF ADJUSTED CORRECTLY.

4. IF THE DISTANCE THE PLUNGER EXTENDS IS TOO GREAT, THE BRAKE SWITCH MUST BE TURNED COUNTER-CLOCKWISE ABOUT 45 DEGREES AND SET TO THE CORRECT DISTANCE BEFORE LOCKING IT IN PLACE BY TURNING IT CLOCKWISE UNTIL THE TRAVEL STOP IS REACHED.

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GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.