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Posted by Peter (12.149.100.21) on 13:28:36 05/09/07
My local paper runs a column every Sunday that lists some recent TSBs for various vehicles. Not sure what people are interested in here so I thought I would re-post that article. Here is the link to the original ( Link ).
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Sunday, May 06, 2007
Scott Sturgis
Special to The Plain Dealer
Stalling Audis and breaking BMW seat belts top this month's roundup of technical service bulletins.
Technical service bulletins are not recalls but are merely information provided by manufacturers to dealers and service managers about problems seen in certain models. They may lead to recalls if they're safety-related and often are eligible for good-will assistance from manufacturers.
The bulletins listed here are posted for independent service technicians on Alldata. Bulletins are available for consumers on a model-by-model basis for a small fee at alldata.com.
Some highlights:
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Stubborn Audis:
Some Audi owners with multitronic CVT transmissions may notice a jolt when trying to stop the vehicle or difficulty getting it going again.
In TSB 370702, Audi officials note some 2002-04 A4s and A6s and 2003-04 A4 Cabriolets may be troubled by dirt or stiff valves in the continuously variable transmission valve body. Replacing the valve body with a modified version should smooth things out. Replacing the entire gearbox may be needed if damage is more severe. No word on coverage outside the warranty.
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Broken belt:
Some BMW 3 Series owners may be plagued by a broken seat belt.
In TSB 722806, company officials note the end of the seat belt may break off while retracting. The part is to be replaced on a customer complaint basis. I'm just the lowly scribe, but if the seat belt can break while retracting, might it not also break in a collision?
No word on coverage outside the warranty.
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Foggy lights:
Some 2004-05 Acura TSX owners may be troubled by condensation in their headlamps.
In TSB 07-016, Acura officials tell dealers that vehicles under warranty should have their headlamps replaced, special clips added and the hood adjusted if owners complain about the problem. Folks whose vehicles are out of warranty will have to pay up for the change.
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Snowy windshield:
Seeing on a winter day can be a problem for some 2005-07 Acura RL owners.
In TSB 07-00, Acura officials say insufficient wiper arm pressure may be the culprit. Replacing the wiper arm, blade assembly and wiper linkage assembly should clear things up.
The TSB notes some repairs may be eligible for assistance at the discretion of the district manager.
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Not enough juice:
Some 2007 BMW 328is may have had the wrong size alternator installed during production.
In TSB 125806, BMW notes vehicles with a 150-amp unit should have a 180-amp alternator put in instead. All these should still be under warranty.
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Stalling SUVs:
Owners of some small Ford SUVs may find their vehicles stall when stopping or being put into gear.
In TSB 07-5-6, Ford officials say some 2005-08 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models with automatic transmissions may be plagued by internal wear in the torque converter that prevents it from unlocking, causing the stalling. Replacing the torque converter and transmission fluid should keep things moving.
And Ford has added this line to its TSBs: "Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB." In case you were foolishly thinking you might get a break if your vehicle is beyond the warranty limits.
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Irony and oil leaks:
Owners of a great many GM models - more evidence that GM continues to spend too much money competing with itself - with V8 engines may find an oil leak or the oil level indicator lamp on.
In TSB 07-06-01-004, GM says the vehicles affected include these vehicles (deep breath): 2006-07 Buick Rainier; Cadillac Escalade and CTS-V; Chevrolet Corvette, Impala SS, Monte Carlo SS, Avalanche, Silverado, Silverado HD, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer and Trailblazer SS; GMC Envoy, Envoy Denali, Sierra, Sierra HD, Sierra Denali, Yukon XL and Yukon XL Denali; Pontiac Grand Prix GXP; and Saab 9-7 X with 4.8-, 5.3-, 6.0-, 6.2- or 7.0-liter engines.
The ironic part? The oil leak is at the sensor that tells the driver if the oil level is low. Resealing the oil pressure sensor should keep things lubricated. No word on coverage outside the warranty.
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Grinding gears:
Owners of small GM cars with manual transmissions may notice a hard time shifting from third to fourth gear or a grinding noise in either gear.
In TSB 07-07-29-001, the company notes some 2005-07 Chevrolet Cobalts, 2006-07 Chevrolet HHRs, 2007 Pontiac G5s and 2003-07 Saturn ION and VUE models may need a new third/fourth gear synchronizer or gear blocking rings. But getting those parts in place can be nearly impossible, so a new transmission could be in order. No word on coverage outside the warranty.
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Stuck in snow:
Owners of 2001-05 light-duty GMC and Chevrolet trucks with automatic transmissions may find the vehicles don't want to shift after driving in ice or snow.
In TSB 04-07-30-018B, GM officials say a transmission shield to protect the shift cable from the elements should move things along. No word on coverage outside the warranty.
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Losing coolant:
Owners of 2002 and newer Jaguar X-Types may find coolant leaks around the expansion reservoir.
In TSB JTB00015, parent company Ford notes the expansion tank bleed tube may be broken where it meets the tank. A replacement should keep things cool. No word on coverage after the warranty has ended.
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Oil loss:
Owners of some Lexus models may find a small oil leak in their vehicles.
In TSB EG001-07, parent company Toyota says the leak from the timing cover or camshaft housing subassembly areas may require new camshaft housing assemblies. No mention of coverage beyond the warranty period.
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