Frequently Asked Questions

Bulletin 68-I-35 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 2, dated January 31, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Soiled or Stained Seat Belts.

Short answer: Clean soiled or stained seat belts only with a mild soap and lukewarm water solution — volatile cleaners and redyeing both weaken the belt fiber and must not be used.

Bulletin 68-I-42 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 2, dated February 5, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Replacement of Rear Door Locks — 1968 Pontiac.

Short answer: On 1968 Pontiacs with production date code 10A or earlier, the rear door lock and remote control lock rod must always be replaced together as a matched set using Service Kit Part No. 8700036 (RH) or 8700037 (LH); individual parts may be used only on units built after date code 10A.

After the start of 1968 production, Pontiac’s rear door locks and remote control to lock rods were redesigned to provide easier door lock operation. Individually, early and late production parts are not interchangeable, and initial production parts are not available for service parts.

Bulletin 68-I-52 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 2, dated January 22, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Cancellation of Console Compartment Lamp — 1968 Pontiac and Tempest.

Short answer: The console compartment lamp has been cancelled on all 1968 Pontiac and Tempest models. The lamp lead was cut from production wiring harnesses, and no warranty claims are to be submitted for installation of this lamp assembly.

Bulletin 68-I-59 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 2, dated April 18, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Positioning of Inside Rear View Mirror — All Series.

Short answer: The 1968 mirror support has two ball sockets — one behind the mirror and one at the upper end of the bracket — allowing the entire assembly to swing fore, aft, and sideways. Many owners are unaware of this feature; dealers should inform customers who have difficulty positioning their mirror.

Bulletin 68-T-1 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 2, dated October 11, 1967. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Correction of Console Door Staying Open — 1968 Tempest.

Short answer: On some 1968 Tempests the console door stands slightly ajar, leaving an unsightly gap and keeping the compartment light on. The cause is an imbalance between door hinge spring tension and compartment light spring tension. Perform the steps below in sequence until the problem is resolved; flat rate time is 0.3 hr., trouble code 25.

Bulletin 68-T-5 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 2, dated December 6, 1967. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Install Padded Windshield Side Garnish Moldings on Early Production 1968 Hardtop Pontiacs.

Short answer: Some early 1968 Pontiac hardtops (body styles 87, 57, and 39) were built with painted steel windshield side garnish moldings instead of the intended padded vinyl-covered moldings; replacement padded moldings are now available and must be installed before delivery, with owner letters sent by Pontiac Motor Division.

Vehicles Involved

1968 Pontiac hardtop models (body style nos. 87, 57, and 39) built without padded garnish moldings from the start of production through the following serial number breakpoints:

Included with this bulletin is a listing of the vehicles involved that were shipped to your dealership. All Pontiacs produced after the above serial numbers will be equipped with the padded moldings. Vehicles in stock should be modified prior to delivery.

Pontiac Notifying Owners

The owner letter (reverse side) is being sent to owners of record by first class mail. On vehicles that have been delivered, arrangements should be made at the owner’s request to have the padded molding installed.

Technical Procedures

1. Remove three screws securing each painted steel molding and carefully remove moldings from windshield pillar.
2. Using an awl or ice pick, pierce through the vinyl from the backside of each molding only at the two (2) upper attaching screw locations. Use the holes in the metal part of the moldings for guides.
   No attachment is required at the lower end of the moldings.
3. Position each molding to the windshield pillar and secure in place using two screws and one washer. The washer is to be used at the rearward location (near side roof rail molding).

Parts Information

The trim number is noted beside each V.I. number on the list of vehicles affected. Order a supply of your anticipated requirements directly from the local GMPD zone warehouse. Each vehicle will require two moldings (right and left side), four screws No. 9416819, and two washers No. 7799573.

Listed below are the part numbers and trim colors and codes for the moldings (No. 5 omitted in front of code numbers):

Three of the above trim moldings are also available as kits consisting of both moldings, screws, and washers: Parchment 1394388; Red 1394384; Teal 1394386.

Disposition of Steel Moldings

Return replaced steel moldings to the local GMPD zone warehouse — collect.

Warranty Information

1. Fill out a blue-colored WRO in standard manner. List parts; use FR Operation No. 006-001-01, Trouble Code 96. Up to 10 V.I.’s can be listed on one WRO.
2. Payment for parts listed will be the same as a normal warranty part — dealer net plus 25%.
3. The flat rate time allowance to replace both moldings is .3 hour.

Bulletin 68-T-6 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 2, dated November 10, 1967. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Air Entering Passenger Compartment Around Inside Door Handle — 1968 Grand Prix, Bonneville, and Catalina.

Short answer: On some 1968 Bonneville, Grand Prix, and Catalina models with the leather trim option, an objectionable amount of air may enter around inside front and rear door handles. The fix is to cement a polyethylene sheet over the remote control access hole on the back of the door trim assembly, then seal it with cloth waterproof tape.

1. Remove door trim assembly.
2. Remove door remote control handle.
3. Using 3M vinyl trim adhesive, cement a piece of polyethylene sheeting (approximately 18″ × 20″ × 2 mils) to the back of the door trim assembly over the remote control access hole, as shown in the illustration on the reverse side.

4. Apply cloth waterproof tape around the outer perimeter of vinyl pocket.
5. Install door trim assembly.

6. Install remote control handle.
7. Install remote control cover plate.

Use the flat rate operation for R&R trim assembly, plus 0.1 hour for each door.

Bulletin 68-T-6A — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 2, dated January 4, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Air Entering Passenger Compartment Around Inside Door Handle — 1968 Grand Prix, Bonneville and Catalina.

Short answer: A vinyl pocket around the remote control door handle (covered in Bulletin 68-T-6) has been incorporated into production as of December 1, 1967. Vehicles built before that date may or may not have the pocket; use the plant breakpoints below to determine whether a given car was built with it.

Bulletin 68-T-7 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 2, dated November 14, 1967. Attention: Service Manager.

Subject: Disengaging of Some 1968 Tempest Station Wagon Tailgate Torque Rods.

Short answer: On some early-production Tempest station wagons the tailgate torque rod may disengage from its left retaining bracket. The fix is to install a nylon wedge plate on the body lock pillar before reinstalling the rod. A full-scale locating template is printed on the reverse side of the original bulletin.