STARTER GRINDS/CLASHES NEW STARTER DRIVE & FLEXPLATE. Pontiac Firebird 1987

THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND DELETES BULLETIN #836411 AND #836411R DATED 7-1-88 AND 8-16-88 RESPECTFULLY TO ADD THE FLEXPLATE INFORMATION. ALL COPIES OF THESE BULLETINS SHOULD BE DISCARDED.

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L, 5.0L OR 5.7L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHERE THE STARTER AND FLEXPLATE OCCASIONALLY DO NOT MESH PROPERLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTS IN A GRINDING OR CLASHING SOUND SIMILAR TO THE NOISE WHICH WOULD OCCUR IF SOMEONE WERE TO MISTAKENLY ATTEMPT TO START A VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY RUNNING. THIS CONDITION MAY BE ADDRESSED BY THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW STARTER DRIVE ASSEMBLY, P/N 10456422 WHICH FEATURES A STIFFER JUMP SPRING TO PROMOTE ENGAGEMENT.

WHEN REPLACING THE STARTER DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THIS CONDITION, ALL THE TEETH ON THE RING GEAR SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IS OBSERVED ON THREE OR MORE CONSECUTIVE TEETH, THE FLEXPLATE ASSEMBLY SHOULD ALSO BE REPLACED WITH THE APPROPRIATE FLEXPLATE ASSEMBLY FROM THE TABLE BELOW TO AVOID FURTHER INCIDENCE OF THIS CONDITION.

APPLICATION SERVICE FLEXPLATE ______________ _____________________

B, G, F CARS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L VIN Z, 10128412 5.0L VIN E, F,G,H OR 5.7L VIN 8 ONLY

B CAR EQUIPPED WITH 5.7L VIN 6 10128414 C,K,G,R,V,M AND P TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L VIN Z, OR 5.0L VIN H OR 5.7L VIN M,K

PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE ON DECEMBER 19, 1988. UNTIL THEN NORMAL PART ORDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY GMSPO. ONLY VERIFIABLE EMERGENCY VIP ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. SPO WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO OBTAIN PARTS. ALL PARTS WILL BE PLACED ON 400 CONTROL TO WAIVE VIP SURCHARGES. HOWEVER, THE PART WILL BE SHIPPED PREMIUM TRANSPORTATION AT DEALER'S EXPENSE. ALL OTHER ORDER TYPES WILL BE CANCELED AS INCORRECTLY ORDERED WHILE THE 400 CONTROL IS IN PLACE.

USE APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS AND TIMES.

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.