Service Update
33530 Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft
Reference Number:
Attention:

Release Date:
Revision:

N16203353

November 2016
00

This service update includes vehicles in dealer inventory and customer vehicles that return to the
dealership for any reason. This bulletin will expire at the end of the involved vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period.

Make
Cadillac

ATS

Model Year
From
To
2016
2016

Cadillac

CTS

2016

Model

2016

RPO
F46
KL9
LTG
F46
KL9
LTG

Description
AWD
Stop/Start System
2.0L Engine
AWD
Stop/Start System
2.0L Engine

Involved vehicles are marked “open” on the Investigate Vehicle History screen in GM Global Warranty Management
system. This site should always be checked to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections
and/or repairs.
Condition

Correction

Certain 2016 model year Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles equipped with AWD (RPO F46), Stop/Start
System (RPO KL9), and a 2.0L engine (RPO LTG), may have an engine ground cable (EGC) that could
come in contact with the passenger side half-shaft assembly, which may cause the EGC to wear through
the insulation and the cable diameter may reduce over time. If this occurs, a noise near the front
passenger’s side may be heard while the vehicle is in motion. If the insulation on the EGC is worn
through to the bare cable, arcing may occur between the EGC and half-shaft at engine start. If the EGC
is severed while the vehicle is in motion, and the driver brakes to a stop and the vehicle enters stop/start
mode, the engine will shut off and various driver information center (DIC) messages will display. The
vehicle will not be able to re-start.
Dealers are to use a tie strap to attach the EGC to the engine harness. If there is extensive damage,
the engine ground cable can either be repaired or the engine wire harness can be replaced.

Copyright 2016 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 1 of 7

Service Update
33530 Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft
Parts
Quantity
1
As
Required,
(Submit as
Net Item)
As
Required,
(Submit as
Net Item)
1, If
Required
1, If
Required
1, If
Required
1, If
Required
1, If
Required
1, If
Required
1, If
Required
1, If
Required
2, If
Required
2, If
Required

Part Name
200 MM Adjustable Tie Strap
Woven Polyester Electrical Tape (PET)

Part No.
11509086
*1089482

Auto - Electric Super Sealant-Black

*84079

Harness Asm - Eng Wrg

23323458

Harness Asm - Eng Wrg

23402551

Harness Asm - Eng Wrg

23402552

Harness Asm - Eng Wrg

23402543

Harness Asm - Eng Wrg

23376893

Dexcool Coolant

Gasket-Ctltc Conv

12378390 (US)
10953456 (Canada)
88865601 (US)
19264717 (Canada)
22759470

Clip-Trans Fl Clr Pipe

24205103

Nut-Whl Drv Shaft

11610571

Dexron Transmission Fluid

* Contact Kent Automotive at 1-888-937-5368 (USA), 1-800-563-1717 (Canada), or www.kent-automotive.com. Dealers
that do not have a Kent Automotive account or representative must advise the Customer Service Representative that the
part(s) is being used for this GM bulletin to obtain special bulletin pricing. Do not order from GMCCA.
Warranty Information
Labor
Operation
9102605

*

Description
Reposition and Secure Engine Ground Cable, Includes Inspection
ADD: Install Cable Seal Patch and PET
ADD: Install Engine Harness, includes: Remove and Install
Powertrain, Service A/C and Coolant

Labor
Time
0.3
0.3
14.4

Trans.
Type
ZFAT

Net
Item
N/A
*
N/A

The amount identified in “Net Item” should represent the actual sum total of the current GMCCA dealer net price for
the Auto-Electric Super Sealant-Black and Woven Polyester Electrical Tape (PET) needed to perform the required
repairs, not to exceed $1.65 USD, $2.05 CAD, plus applicable Mark-Up or Landed Cost (for Export).

Page 2 of 7

Service Update
33530 Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft
Service Procedure
1.

Raise the vehicle hood.

4596014
2.

Locate the engine ground cable, positioned directly above the right front axle shaft.

4596027
3.

Inspect the cable and determine if it is making contact with the axle shaft or CV boot.

Page 3 of 7

Service Update
33530 Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft

4596031
 If the cable is making contact and the cable insulation is damaged, proceed to the Battery Cable Inspection and
Repair section below.
 If the cable is not making contact and the insulation is not damaged, proceed to step #4.
4.

Raise the engine ground cable up to the main harness.

5.

Loosely install the wire tie strap midway between the existing two cable locators.

4596042
6.

Position the ground cable under the main harness toward the center of the vehicle. Ensure that the cable is not
outboard of the harness, it may contact the frame rail.

7.

Tighten and trim the wire tie strap.

Battery Cable Inspection and Repair
1.

Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Base) in SI.

2.

Remove the right front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in SI.

3.

Remove the right engine lower front splash shield. Refer to Engine Lower Front Splash Shield Replacement (Non VSeries) in SI.

Page 4 of 7

Service Update
33530 Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft

4596031
4.

Inspect the engine ground cable and determine the extent of the damage.
 If only the cable insulation is damaged and no copper conductors are worn through, proceed to step #5 below.
 If the insulation is damaged and any copper conductors are worn through, proceed to the Engine Wiring
Harness Replacement section below.

5.

Clean the repair area on the ground cable with a general purpose adhesive cleaner.

6.

Peel the paper backing off of the super sealant patch.

4596044
7.

Center the patch over the damaged area of the ground cable. Firmly press the patch into place around the cable
ensuring the seal is weather tight.

Page 5 of 7

Service Update
33530 Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft

4596049
8.

Wrap the repair area with polyester electrical tape (PET). Begin the wrap 13mm (1/2 in.) outboard of the sealant patch
and continue 13mm (1/2 in.) past the patch. Rewrap the repair area with a second layer of PET.

9.

Raise the engine ground cable up to the main harness.

10. Loosely install the wire tie strap midway between the existing two cable locators.

4596042
11. Position the ground cable under the main harness toward the center of the vehicle. Ensure that the cable is not
outboard of the harness, it may contact the frame rail.
12. Tighten and trim the wire tie strap.
13. Reinstall the right engine lower front splash shield. Refer to Engine Lower Front Splash Shield Replacement (Non VSeries) in SI.
14. Reinstall the right front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in SI.
15. Lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Base) in SI.
Engine Wiring Harness Replacement
Note: When removing the drivetrain and front suspension from the vehicle, it is not necessary to separate the engine
from the transmission or suspension frame. This drivetrain and suspension frame removal is being performed to provide
access to the engine wiring harness replacement.
1.

Remove the drivetrain and front suspension. Refer to Engine Replacement (LTG with All Wheel Drive) in SI.

2.

Document all of the engine wiring harness locators, fasteners, routing and connections.

3.

Remove the damaged engine wiring harness.

4.

Using the documentation from step # 2, install the new engine wiring harness.
Page 6 of 7

Service Update
33530 Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft
5.

Reinstall the drivetrain and front suspension. Refer to Engine Replacement (LTG with All Wheel Drive) in SI.

6.

Inspect the engine wiring harness to axle shaft to ensure there is proper clearance.

Dealer Responsibility
Whenever a vehicle subject to this service update enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your facility for service in the
future, and the vehicle is still covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, you must take the steps necessary to be
sure the service update correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
All new, used, GM Certified Used, courtesy transportation vehicles, dealer shuttle vehicles, etc. in dealers' possession
and subject to this bulletin must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this bulletin before customers
take possession of these vehicles. Involved vehicles must be held and not delivered to customers, dealer-traded,
released to auction, used for demonstration, or any other purpose.
All GM Certified Used vehicles currently in the dealers’ inventory within the Certified Pre-Owned Inventory System
(CPOIS) will be de-certified and must be held and remedied per the service procedure in this bulletin. Upon submitting
an accepted/paid warranty transaction in the Global Warranty Management (GWM) system, the vehicle can be re-certified
for sale within the CPOIS system, or once again be used in the CTP program.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these 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 tools, equipment, 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 your dealer for information on whether your
vehicle may benefit from the information.

We Support
Voluntary Technician
Certification

Page 7 of 7

GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
DCS4267
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date:

November 28, 2016

Subject: 33530 - Service Update
Engine Ground Cable In Contact With Half-Shaft
Models: 2016 Cadillac ATS
2016 Cadillac CTS
Equipped with 2.0L Engine (RPO LTG), AWD (RPO F46), and
Stop/Start System (RPO KL9)
To:

All General Motors Dealers

General Motors is releasing Service Update 33530 today. The total number of
U.S. vehicles involved is 8,121. Please see the attached bulletin for details.
Global Warranty Management (GWM)
The Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) screen in the GWM system will be updated
November 28, 2016. A list of involved vehicles in dealer new inventory is attached to
this message. Please hold all warranty transactions until the VIN appears in IVH.
END OF MESSAGE
GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS