Voluntary Recall Campaign - Automatic Transmission Shift Interlock Module Replacement (R8008)

Publication date: 1999-02-09
Reference number: R8008
Supersedes refnos: 98V-325, ITB98-066

VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK MODULE REPLACEMENT

SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): ITB98-066, Date of Issue: February 9, 1999

INFINITI:	1997-1998 Q45
NHTSA/CAMPAIGN I.D. #:	98V-325/R8008
SECTION:	Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
APPLIED VEHICLE(S):	1997-1998 Q45 (FY33)
APPLIED VIN(S):	1997 - JNKBY31VM000001 - 010000, JNKBY31VM300001 - 305000; 1998 - JNKBY31WM100001 - 103000, JNKBY31WM400001 - 408000, JNKBY31*WM500001 - 505000

INTRODUCTION

Nissan Motor Company, LTD. has determined that certain 1997 and 1998 model year Infiniti Q45 vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114 - Theft Protection. On some 1997-1998 Infiniti Q45 vehicles there is a possibility that the ignition key can be removed at times when the engine is turned off without placing the transmission shift lever in the "Park" position.

According to the safety standard, this should not be possible. If this were to occur, and the driver failed to move the shift lever to "Park" after removing the key and engage the parking brake before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle could roll away.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Infiniti has assigned identification number 98V-325 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign.

NOTE: Service Comm. recognizes this Service Campaign Bulletin as number R8008.

NUMBER OF VEHICLES POTENTIALLY AFFECTED

The total number of vehicles potentially affected is approximately 20,000.

DEALER RESPONSIBILITY

It is the retailer's responsibility to check each vehicle falling within the range of this voluntary safety recall which for any reason enters the service department utilizing the vehicle service history file of Infinitinet. This includes vehicles purchased from your dealership, other Infiniti dealerships, private parties or presented by transient (tourist) clients and vehicles in dealership inventory. Federal law requires that new vehicles in dealer inventory which are the subject of a safety recall must be corrected prior to sale. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties by the National Highway Safety Administration. While Federal law applies only to new cars, Infiniti strongly encourages dealers to correct any used cars in their inventory before selling them.

To assist you in identifying those vehicles involved in this service campaign that were either purchased from your dealership or are in your dealership inventory, a client list report for these vehicles will be provided to your regional office for distribution to all Infiniti dealers. Each dealership service department is encouraged to contact these vehicle owners to have the required repairs completed on their Q45s.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Replace the shift interlock module as follows:
NOTE: The shift interlock module is green in color and is located under the instrument panel near the parking brake (see Fig 1 ).
1. Remove the mounting screw (10 mm hex head) that secures the shift interlock module (see Fig 1 ).
  
  Fig 1: Shift Interlock Module Location
2. Use needle nose pliers to squeeze the wire harness clip locking tabs together and remove the clip from the module wire harness mounting bracket (see Fig 2 ).
  
  Fig 2: Removing Clip From Module Wire Harness Mounting Bracket
3. Disconnect the wire harness connector from the old shift interlock module.
4. Connect the wire harness connector to the new shift interlock module.
5. Insert the wire harness clip into the module harness mounting bracket hole.
6. Re-use the mounting screw to secure the shift interlock module to its mounting bracket.
Confirm the shift interlock module operates correctly as follows:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle.
3. Depress the brake pedal and move the automatic transmission selector to the neutral "N" position.
4. Under the conditions above, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and try to remove the key from the ignition switch.
  1. If the key cannot be removed from the ignition switch, this service procedure is complete.
  2. If the key can be removed from the ignition switch, refer to pages AT-136 through AT-139 of the 1997 Q45 Service Manual or pages AT-188 through AT-194 of the 1998 Q45 Service Manual for other causes for this incident.

PARTS INFORMATION

Description	P/N	Qty
Shift Interlock Module	28540-5P615	1

CLAIMS INFORMATION

Submit a Campaign Line (CM) claim using the following claims coding:

Campaign I.D.: R8008

CLAIMS INFORMATION PART 1 OF 2

Description	OP Code	FRT
Replace A/T Interlock Module	R80081	0.3 hrs.

For the "Q45 Interlock Fuel Allowance" (if applicable - see "Important: Owner Letter Information" below) submit a separate Campaign Line (CM) claim using the following coding:

Campaign I.D.: B0059

CLAIMS INFORMATION PART 2 OF 2

Description	OP Code	FRT
Q45 Interlock Fuel Allowance	B00590	0.1 hrs.

IMPORTANT - OWNER LETTER INFORMATION

There are three different owner letters as a result of the prior campaign R8004, which was terminated.

Letter #1 will be sent to the 5,200 owners previously notified under campaign R8004. As indicated in the owner letter, Infiniti will "top off" the fuel tank. The warranty conditions are contained within the bulletin. Should the owner/driver not have the notification letter, these vehicles can be identified in Infinitinet with the pnc code of B0059. The message will read "Q45 INTERLOCK FUEL ALLOWANCE". The fuel "top-off" must be performed (same day) in conjunction with the campaign completion.

NOTE: Vehicles in dealer inventory are not eligible for fuel "top-off".

Letter #2 will be sent to owners (excluding letter #1 group) who had their vehicles previously repaired , or vehicles in dealer inventory previously repaired, under campaign R8004. There are approximately 2,200 vins in this group.

Letter #3 will be sent to the remaining (excluding letters #1 & 2) owners affected by this campaign.

RENOTIFICATION OF OWNERS THAT THE CORRECT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THOSE THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED IN ERROR - (LETTER #1)

Dear Infiniti owner:

Last year Infiniti notified you of a pending safety recall before there were parts available to perform the necessary repair. We now have the proper repair parts to correct your vehicle and request that you contact your Infiniti retailer to have it installed. This recall concerns the possibility that the ignition key can be removed after the engine is turned off and with the transmission lever not in the "PARK" position. Infiniti sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this second notification might cause you, and has arranged for your Infiniti retailer to "top off" your gas tank as a goodwill gesture when you come in for this repair. For your convenience, the following is the letter we originally sent you. Please review it and follow the instructions. Again, parts are now available to perform this necessary repair.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

Dear Infiniti owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. has determined that certain 1997 and 1998 model year Infiniti Q45 vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114 - Theft Protection.

Reason for Recall

On some 1997-1998 Infiniti Q45 vehicles, there is a possibility that the ignition key can be removed at times when the engine is turned off without placing the transmission shift lever in the "Park" position. Although you may not have experienced this situation on your vehicle, there is a possibility that it could occur in the future. According to the safety standard, this should not be possible. If this were to occur, and the driver failed to move the shift lever to "Park" after removing the key and engage the parking brake before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle could roll away.

What Infiniti Will Do

In order to prevent this incident from occurring, your Infiniti retailer will replace the shift lock control unit. This free service should take about one hour to complete, but your Infiniti retailer may require your Q45 for a longer period of time based upon their work schedule. If you require alternate transportation, please schedule an appointment in advance and your Infiniti retailer may arrange a free service loan car for your use.

What You Should Do

Contact your Infiniti retailer at your earliest convenience in order to arrange an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. Please bring this notice with you when you keep your service appointment. Instructions have been sent to your Infiniti retailer. If the retailer fails, or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge, you may contact an Infiniti representative toll-free at (800) 662-6200. If you reside in Hawaii, please call (808) 836-0888.

You may also contact the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street S.W, Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll free Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9393. Washington, D.C. area residents may call (202) 366-0123.

Thank you for your cooperation. We are indeed sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

NOTIFICATION OF OWNERS WHO WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED BUT WHOSE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER - (LETTER #2)

Dear Infiniti Owner:

According to our records, your vehicle was repaired by an Infiniti retailer last October or November for a safety recall because of the possibility that the ignition key can be removed after the engine is turned off and with the transmission lever not in the "PARK" position. Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. has determined that the previous repair may not be completely effective in preventing this from happening. Therefore, we have now developed a new part and request that you please return to your Infiniti retailer to have it installed. Infiniti sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this notification might cause you.

Please read the following notice which we are required by law to send you and follow the instructions in it.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

Dear Infiniti owner:

Reason for Recall

What Infiniti Will Do

What You Should Do

Thank you for your cooperation. We are indeed sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

OWNER NOTIFICATION - (LETTER #3)

Dear Infiniti Owner:

Reason for Recall

What Infiniti Will Do

What You Should Do

Contact your Infiniti retailer at your earliest convenience in order to arrange an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. Please bring this notice with you when you keep your service appointment. Instructions have been sent to your Infiniti retailer. If the Infiniti retailer fails, or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge, you may contact an Infiniti representative toll-free at (800) 662-6200. If you reside in Hawaii, please call (808) 836-0888.

Thank you for your cooperation. We are indeed sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.