GM Bulletin No.: 12289
Date: November 2012

Service Bulletin

SERVICE UPDATE
SUBJECT:

Service Update for Inventory and Customer Vehicles
Starter Motor Damage Due to Positive Battery Cable and Starter Solenoid
Terminal Contact
Expires with Base Warranty

MODELS:

2013 Chevrolet Sonic
U.S. Vehicles Only

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.
Vehicles involved in this Service Update were placed on Stop Delivery Friday, November 9,
2012. Once the service procedure contained in this bulletin has been performed on the vehicle,
the vehicle is removed from Stop Delivery and can be delivered to customers.
PURPOSE
This bulletin provides a service procedure to provide adequate clearance between the battery
cable B+ terminal and the starter solenoid on certain 2013 model year Chevrolet Sonic
vehicles, equipped with turbo engine (RPO LUV). These vehicles may have been produced with
potential inadequate design clearance between the battery cable B+ terminal and the starter
solenoid. If contact is made between the battery feed and the starter solenoid terminal, the
starter motor circuit will be energized and the starter motor will begin to spin. However, the
solenoid terminal for the drive pinion gear is not powered therefore, the pinion will not engage
the flywheel ring gear and the engine will not be cranking. Within approximately 1 minute
excessive heat will begin to melt certain internal starter motor components, the armature will
freeze in position and the brush wires will fracture. When this occurs the motor is removed from
the electrical circuit. This condition will be accompanied by smoke and odor.

This service procedure should be completed as soon as possible on involved vehicles
currently in dealer inventory and customer vehicles that return to the dealer for any type
of service during the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage period.

Copyright 2012 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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Bulletin No.: 12289

VEHICLES INVOLVED
All involved vehicles are identified by VIN in the Global Warranty Management System –
Investigate Vehicle History Application. Dealership technicians should always check this site to
confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is
important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be
involved regardless of description or option content.
Additionally, a list of involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory is available on the “Service
Update Bulletin Information” link under the “Service” tab in GM GlobalConnect. Customer
vehicles that return for service, for any reason, and are still covered under the vehicle's base
warranty should also be checked for vehicle eligibility.
PART INFORMATION
No parts are required for this Service Update.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and
Connection in SI.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.

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3. Locate the starter solenoid (1), positive battery cable terminal (2) and positive battery cable
fastener (3).

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Bulletin No.: 12289

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4. Remove the positive battery cable fastener and the positive battery cable terminal (2), from
the starter solenoid (1).

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5. Using pliers bend the positive battery cable terminal tab (2) 90 degrees inward as shown in
illustration.
Note: Do NOT allow the battery positive cable terminal tab to rotate clockwise on the starter
solenoid while tightening the battery positive cable terminal fastener. Hold the positive battery
cable terminal tab down (counter clockwise) while tightening the positive battery cable terminal
fastener.
6. Install the positive battery cable terminal and fastener to the starter solenoid.
7. Tighten the positive battery cable terminal fastener to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).

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Bulletin No.: 12289

8. Lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.
9. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and
Connection in SI.
WARRANTY TRANSACTION INFORMATION
Submit a transaction using the table below.
Labor
Code
V2708

Description
Starter Positive Battery Cable Terminal Repair

Labor
Time
0.3

DEALER PROGRAM 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.

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.

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