Help with 1992 Recall Notice

x-no-archive: yes
Well, I've got a '87 Plymouth Gran Fury (40K actual miles) and when I
got it
inspected yesterday.. it passed. Always does. They gave me a printout
telling me that there was a recall in 1992 for 'Installation of Spark
Control Computer and Automatic Transmission Throttle Lever Rod" . I'm a
lady who know Nothing about cars. Can anyone tell me if this is a BIG
DEAL or not ? I can't imagine a recall in 1992 I didn't know about would
be anything major or the car wouldn't be driving and as perfect as it is
now ?
sure thank you

 

Are you sure it's a recall and not a TSB?

 

Was this at a Chrysler dealership? They should be able to look up the car
and see if the repair was performed and if not and it is a true recall they
should still do it for free. (Assuming they can order parts.)

 

x-no-archive: yes
this is "Recall Information". I had my car inspected yesterday at Jiffy
Lube and they have to enter in all the info after inspecting to the TX
Database. and the recall info came back with the printout of the passed
inspection. (Which includes a strict EPA emissions test.) The info
states:
"Date: 09-01-1992,Recall 515 - Spark Control Computer and A/T Throttle
Lever.
Hydrocarbon and Carbon Monoxide levels may exceed the limits allowed by
EPA"
I am the original owner and I was Never notifed and this has never been
done. What I don't understand is...the car passes the emission tests
without a problem ever. So why have it done if it always passes ? Unless
it is a safety hazard. I'm pretty housebound and it is difficult for me
to take it to the dealership : (
again, thanks for your Help !

 

Was the car EVER at the dealer for service after the recall date?
Dealership may have done it while it was there for something else.
Dealership can look up VIN # of car and tell you of any outstanding recalls.

 

There is a difference between Federal Emission Certification Tests and
state emission inspections such as you have easily passed every year. The
FECT standards are considerably stricter and more detailed than any
state's emission test requirements. Each year, each automaker must certify
that each model he produces -- one body/engine/transmission combination is
"one model" -- complies with that year's FECT standards. The penalty for
known and willful noncompliance (i.e., the automaker knows the vehicle
doesn't comply, but doesn't voluntarily recall it) is forced recall and
large Federal penalty payments.

State emission inspections have nothing to do with FECT standards. They
are designed and targetted at vehicles in use. As such, the standards are
considerably more lenient and much less detailed. A state emission
inspection takes between 5 and 20 minutes; a FECT takes *THREE DAYS*. So
that's why your car can pass the state inspection even though it may be
noncompliant with Federal standards.

If for no other reason, to get a new spark control computer.

DS

 

Except that some people are paranoid about having their car worked on at
a dealer. Case in point: The seat bolt recall on some of the 2nd gen LH
cars - on the 300M ezBoard, several people had it done successfully;
several reported that they had it done, but damage or new problems were
caused by the dealer; several inquired if the dealer would give them the
parts so that they could put them in themselves rather than risk
damage. I can understand someone letting sleeping dogs lie, so to
speak, if there are no apparent problems rather than enter dealer hell
(obviously depends on the quality and integrity of the local dealer, but
if you get a bad one, it can be rough on someone who is at their mercy
to treat them right).

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Also, you can go to www.dodge.com and there is a place I believe in the "owners
section" you can search with the complete vin for any outstanding recalls.
There is no charge for searching.

 

I just had the recall done. No damage to my 300M except for some
uncleanable grease like stain on the back of driver seat. Fortunately
lighter fluid removed it.

 

Actually it's only the last 8 characters of the Vin that is required.

Click the "For Owners" link, then the "Recall Notices" link.

 

x-no-archive: yes
Art ..' how were you notifed ? In the mail or anything ? My car has never
seen the inside of a dealership ..Only in 1987 to buy the Gran Fury. It's been
perfectly maintained and garaged when not used ever since. Long as I don't get
in trouble for non compliance or something. The EPA emissions test in Houston TX
takes about 20 mins. and my car always comes way in the acceptable level ..of HC
and CO.
It's just a problem getting the car to the dealership ! I can't see taking it
if there isn't a problem. Stop me if I'm wrong or you think I *should* take it.
I don't have anyone to advise me on this darn car stuff .
thanks again

 

x-no-archive: yes
well, this is interesting..this is what I got using the dodge.com and my vin:

"No Incomplete Recalls or Customer Satisfaction Notifications Exist

NOTE:
Results returned represent unperformed or incomplete Recalls and Customer
Satisfaction Notifications initiated by DaimlerChrysler Motors Company LLC at the
time of your inquiry."
So .. all the recall records must be at DaimlerChrysler on a 1987 car. this is just
nuts
thanks again

 

www.alldata.com lists all TSB's and recalls by vehicle and model year.
If you look at this page: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/46/87461453.html,
you see that there in fact was a recall in '92 for that item on your
year Fury.

Here's my guess: The shop you used has a software package (sold to them
with the enticement of drumming up business when customers bring their
cars in) that spits out these things based loosely on vehicle model and
year. Either:
(1) The recall did not apply to every VIN number that year, and yours
was not in the ones that were recalled (but the software did not break
it down that specifically, so the message popped up because it was of
that year), or
(2) The recall did apply to your car (by its VIN), but it was performed
already.

But since you say you are the original owner and the recall was never
performed on your car, then item (1) must be the case. I can
understand, though, that it would be nice to see it listed as having
been performed. As it is, you're left with this nagging feeling of not
being really sure.

So, those of you in the know - does the dealer have access to the exact
same info. - no more, no less - when they plug her VIN into the DC
database? IOW - would it tell her what recalls have been performed, not
just outstanding ones?

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

(3) The recall did apply to the car in question (by its VIN) but for any
of many plausible reasons, the owner did not receive or read the recall
notice.

 

No - the dodge.com site told her "No Incomplete Recalls or Customer
Satisfaction Notifications Exist..." according to her latest post.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

You posted that you checked the car VIN # at the Dodge site and it says
there are no outstanding recalls on your car. If you want to double check,
call your local dealer's service department and give them the VIN and ask
them to check but I suspect the recall either was done and you forgot about
it or your car was not included. 3rd possibility is that you did not type
in the right VIN #. On my Chrysler's is it in front of the driver below the
windshield so it is almost impossible to read. Might be on the drivers door
jam too where the tire pressures are listed. Could be on the title to the
car or registration but I would double check to make sure the number wasn't
transcribed wrong when the title or registration was prepared. Check the
VIN actually on the car. Also don't confuse 1 with L or 0 with O.

 

By law, on all North American-market vehicles since 1968, it's on a plate
visible from outside the car through the lower-left corner of the
windshield. It is not "almost impossible to read" at all, unless you are
blind or your "BABY ON BOARD" sign is covering it up. It is also present
on the Vehicle Safety Certification Label on the trailing edge of the
driver's door or adjacent frame, but usually harder to read in this
location due to poor print quality.

No, the tire pressures are listed on a separate plate.

These locations frequently contain errors; those on the vehicle itself do
not.

Every VIN contains a check digit in the 9th position; it is not possible
to "enter the wrong VIN" by mis-typing one or more characters. Any such
mis-type creates an invalid number, not a "wrong VIN".

 

And my dealer parts guy says his satellite-linked computer can't supply
build sheets for vehicles older than '89. It's entirely possible
older-vehicle recall completion info isn't available via dodge.com .

 

On my Toyota Avalon, the background or the plate with the VIN below the
windshield has a watermark which says Toyota on it making the VIN just about
impossible to read. On my 300M it is embossed gray on gray and is again
almost impossible to read. Perhaps Dan you have superman eyes. And I did
not say the tire pressure and vin was on the same plate now did I. Just the
same door jam.

 

Well if the web version was using the check digit (checksum) you mentioned
in your other post you would think it would also mention the date cut off.