D 350 Pickup L6-359 5.9L DSL (1989)
Technical Service Bulletin # 280T
Date: 890901
Campaign - Towing/Correct Inacurate Engine Temp Gauge
No. 280T
September, 1989
To:
All Dodge Truck Dealers
Subject:
Customer Satisfaction Notification # 280T -- Trailer Towing - Engine Cooling
Models:
All 1989 DODGE Trucks Equipped With 5.9L Cummins 6 Cylinder Diesel Engine -- Includes D250, W250, D350 and W350 Models
The listed model trucks may experience engine overheating when operating at maximum rated trailer tow Gross Combination Weight (G.C.W.). In
addition, the temperature gauge on involved models may show a higher than actual temperature reading.
The following actions are being taken to guard against these problems:
^
Owners of all involved vehicles will be notified of precautions to take if towing trailers under extreme operating conditions -- such as towing
up steep grades with heavy loads in hot weather. They are advised to turn off air conditioning, reduce speed and manually downshift the
transmission to a lower gear as necessary to prevent engine overheating. See attached copy of the owner notification letter.
^
Owners will also be asked to schedule dealer service to correct for engine temperature gauge error. Dealers are to install a 2 ohm resistor in
the temperature sensor circuit for this purpose. The service is to be provided to owners without charge.
Important:
Some of the vehicles may still be in dealer stock. Be sure to complete the service on these vehicles before retail delivery.
Details of this service action are explained in the following sections. As an additional service aid, a videotape demonstrating the service procedure is
included in the September, 1989 M.T.S.C. program.
Vehicle List
Each dealer to whom involved vehicles were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same location) will receive a listing of them with this letter, arranged
in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to Chrysler are also listed. The lists are for dealer reference in arranging for service of
involved vehicles.
Each Dodge or Chrysler-Plymouth dealer without a Vehicle List will receive an information copy of this letter by Compak Mail for use in performing the
service on involved vehicles upon request.
Parts
Resistor assembly parts packages, P/N C3940348, are being shipped free of charge to all involved dealers for service of affected vehicles. Each package
contains one 2 ohm resistor assembly, a tie strap and an installation instruction sheet. Each dealer to whom affected vehicles were invoiced (or the
current dealer at the same location) will receive enough parts packages to service 75% of those vehicles.
Additional parts may be ordered without charge from Parts Depots if required. Order only as needed for scheduled repairs.
Owner Notification and Service Scheduling
All involved vehicle owners known to Chrysler are being notified of the trailer towing instructions and the gauge service requirement by first class mail.
Owners are requested to schedule appointments for the service with their dealers at the earliest possible date. Copies of the owner notification letter are
attached.
Enclosed with each vehicle owner notification is an Owner Recall Notification Form # 83-295-0019. The involved vehicle and recall are identified on
the form for owner or dealer reference as needed.
Service Procedure
