Chrysler inquiry nears end 
          Leaky seals may have caused antilock brake problem 
          
          By Janet L. Fix
          Detroit Free Press Washington Bureau
          
              An investigation into complaints of failed or faulty
          antilock brakes on Chrysler minivans and cars is zeroing in
          on leaky piston seals as the most likely cause of any
          problems.
              
             Chrysler said Wednesday that its investigation had
          narrowed the list of possible causes of problems with the
          Bendix-10 antilock braking systems it used in 254,185
          minivans and 68,000 passenger cars from model years 1990,
          1992 and 1993.
              
             ``Right now, it appears that the piston seal in the
          hydraulic unit is the leading candidate _ but we're not
          sure because we haven't finished our tests,'' said Chrysler
          spokesman Lindsey Brooke.
              
             The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is
          also investigating the brakes, but would not say where its
          tests are leading.
              
             NHTSA has received complaints that problems with the
          antilock brakes in those cars and vans contributed to 53
          accidents and 26 injuries.
              
             If testing by Chrysler and NHTSA proves that leaky seals
          are at fault, the automaker may respond with a voluntary
          service action, in which owners would be encouraged to
          bring in cars and minivans for testing and possible repair.
              
             Chrysler called ``erroneous'' a Bloomberg Business News
          report Tuesday that it was considering a recall of the
          minivans and cars.
              
             ``No recall is in the works and no service action is in
          the works,'' said Randy Edwards, Chrysler's manager for
          vehicle safety and emission compliance.
              
             Mike Brownlee, NHTSA's chief investigator, said he'd
          hoped NHTSA's investigation would be completed by year-end.
          But that was before the lead antilock brake systems
          investigator Wolfgang Reinhart, a 20-year NHTSA veteran,
          died of a heart attack at age 48.
              
             ``We hope to wrap up the investigation soon but
          Wolfgang's death six weeks ago left a huge void,'' Brownlee
          said Wednesday. ``If you had a tough investigation,

 ``We hope to wrap up the investigation soon but
          Wolfgang's death six weeks ago left a huge void,'' Brownlee
          said Wednesday. ``If you had a tough investigation, you
          turned to Wolfgang.''
              
             NHTSA's investigation can end in one of three ways: in
          an official government recall, a voluntary service action
          or no action at all. A recall would be ordered if NHTSA
          determines the Chrysler vehicles do not meet legal safety
          standards or that a defect poses a safety threat.
              
             Despite consumer claims that the antilock brakes and
          backup or basic braking systems failed at the same time,
          Chrysler's tests haven't shown any brake system failures.
              
             While a leaky piston seal could lead to less pressure
          when drivers step on the brake pedal, Chrysler insists the
          brakes don't actually fail, so there is no real safety risk.
              
             As a result, ``NHTSA may finally agree with us this that
          there is not an unreasonable risk to safety,'' Edwards said.
              
             The government agency began its minivan investigation in
          July 1994. It expanded its review in May to include the
          68,000 cars.
              
             The minivans are Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge models.
          The cars are the Chrysler New Yorker, Fifth Avenue and
          Imperial; the Eagle Premier; and the Dodge Dynasty and
          Monaco models.
              
             Consumer advocates want Chrysler to replace the entire
          brake system on the vehicles. They're outraged that many
          Chrysler minivan owners paid up to $3,000 to have their
          brakes repaired by dealers.
              
             Chrysler conceded that many dealers replaced entire
          antilock brake systems when improved diagnostic techniques
          have led the automaker to decide that a simpler fix may
          have solved the problem.
              
             ``There has been so much misdiagnosis by dealers, that
          we have been helping them,'' Edwards said. ``Instead of
          replacing the entire ABS unit we've minimized the cost and
          time of repairs with a piston kit'' that repairs leaky
          seals.
              
             Chrysler brake inquiry nears end
              
             Copyright, Detroit Free Press; all rights reserved.
          12/7/95
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