Bulletin No.: PIP5601B

Service Bulletin

Date: January, 2024

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
Subject:

Brand:

All

Vehicle Vibration Diagnosis and TAC Requests For Assistance With Vibration
Related Complaints
Model:

All

Model Year:

VIN:

from

to

2000

2024

from

Engine:

Transmission:

All

All

to
All

Involved Region or Country

North America

Condition

Some customers may complain of vehicle vibration under any of various driving
conditions.

Cause

Vibration could be caused by many various components and conditions.

Correction
Customer vibration complaints are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair.
To be effective in diagnosis the Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit with NVH (P/N 733-CH-51450) was sent to all US
and Canadian dealers.
This is an essential tool and should be maintained in proper working order at all times.
There are several preliminary information (PI) documents and Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) in Service Information (SI) that address vibrations on specific models and model years vehicles and should be used accordingly.
There are also several generic documents either TSB or PI that also should be used.
Examples:
09-00-91-001B is specific to 08-09 CTS models where there is a new part that can be used as needed.
12-03-10-001B is generic just to make dealers aware of the possibility of tire to rim orientation and tire slipping on
the rim.
Diagnosis and repair of vibrations can be compared to a check engine light.
We wouldn't attempt to repair the CEL without knowing the DTC stored, same can be said for vibrations.
Without knowing the frequency we are just spinning our wheels in attempting to repair.
In an attempt to better assist dealers and get vehicles returned to customers, repaired right the first time,
GM TAC will require any calls requesting assistance for vehicle vibration complaints to have a Pico file sent in prior
to calling TAC.
Anyone calling without following the following process will be given a case number and instructed to call back when
process has been followed.
1. Drive the vehicle to verify condition AND record a Pico data file of the concern. Save the file to computer for
possible use later.
2. Review that Pico file and use that information to assist in determining root cause or component.

Copyright 2024 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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January, 2024

Bulletin No.: PIP5601B

3. Repair the vehicle using Pico information along with any published information relevant to the vibration
frequency observed.
4. If the repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from TAC record another Pico file and save it to the computer.
5. Compose an e-mail to [email protected] in the U.S. and [email protected] in
Canada. In the subject line include VIBRATION BAC: ______ and last 8 of the VIN ________ and Case # 8xxxxxxxxxx if Tac case is already established.
6. Attach any Pico files associated with the current vehicle and complaint to the e-mail and send it to
[email protected] in the U.S. and [email protected] in Canada
7. Wait at least 1/2 hour after sending the e-mail to contact TAC and set up a TAC case. This will allow time for
dealership server, internet service provider and G.M. firewall restrictions to get the e-mail to TAC.
ANY calls to TAC for vehicle level vibration that do not have a Pico file sent in to TAC or Pico files cannot be located
because the BAC or VIN is missing from the subject line will be given a TAC case number for reference ONLY and
will not be given any further recommendations until a Pico file is sent in.
Note: This is for vehicle level vibration complaints, component level vibrations ie: blower motor, brake pulsation or
shudder on turns type concerns do not require a Pico file.
To send the file follow the instructions below.
While the reviewed file is on the screen click File Save

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The next box allows you to save the vehicle information as well as customer information and notes in the Notes box.
This could be sensor location, sensor direction and even road surface name etc. Click Ok when you are done adding
information.

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Save the file to a location on the computer that you can find it. Default location will be waveforms. It is not necessary
to rename the file but is critical that you remember where you saved it.

Bulletin No.: PIP5601B

January, 2024

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If you are emailing the file continue the following sequence.
Create an e-mail to [email protected] in the U.S. and [email protected] in Canada
and in the subject line Put Vibration your BAC and last 8 of the vin as pictured below.

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Click the attach button/icon in your email account and attach the file that you have saved. You can save more than
one file or attach more than one file to the email.

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The email should look similar to the following.

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Bulletin No.: PIP5601B

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You can add any notes that you want to the email but is not required. Hit Send and we should have it here at
technical assistance.
ADDITIONAL SI KEYWORDS:
(For search only, PI no longer exists) PIP5338, PIP5338A, PIP5338B,
Version

2

Modified

10–22–2018 — Created
9–19–2019 — Updated to add 2020 Model Year
1–11–2024 — Updated to 2024 Model Year

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 equipment, tools, 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 GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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