We received this important letter from Auto Meter Products, Inc.; let's get the word out...
Dear Auto Meter Gauge Owner, May 10, 2002
This notice is sent in accordance with the requirements of the National Highway Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Auto Meter Products, Inc. has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain electric fuel pressure gauge sending units, commonly known as the ?short-sweep? gauges. These gauges are model numbers: 2659, 3309 3509, 4309, 4409, and 5709, along with the replacement sender model number 2248. These components were manufactured between October 1, 1999, and March 31, 2002. Auto Meter Products, Inc. has also produced these gauges as the Jackson Racing electric fuel pressure gauge model number 971-165.
A pattern of premature failure of the sending unit for these gauges has been discovered. The sending unit failure results in the leaking of fuel out of the sender. We are recommending that anyone with one of these ?short-sweep? gauges remove the sending unit from the fuel system immediately. The risks of fuel leaks and possible fire demand that these sending units be taken out of service immediately. Please note that the gauge itself will be inoperable after removal of the sender.
If you have one of these units:
1. Remove the sending unit from your vehicle?s fuel system.
2. Drain all fuel from the sender, thoroughly dry and clean it inside and out.
3. Remove the gauge from the vehicle.
4. Send the gauge and sending unit to:
Auto Meter Products, Inc.
Customer Service department
413 W. Elm Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
SAFETY RECALL
5. Include your name, mailing address, and a daytime telephone number.
6. As soon as the replacement sender units are available, one will be sent to you at no charge.
7. Do not continue to use the current units while waiting for the replacements to become available.
The removal of the gauge and the sender should take a approximately 30-45 minutes. This notice does not apply to any of the Auto Meter ?full-sweep? electric fuel pressure gauges. Those use an entirely different sending unit that is not compatible with the ?short-sweep? gauges.
Auto Meter?s Engineering Department currently has engineers working full-time to identify the cause of the defect, after which a remedy will be designed and tested, and new sending units will then be manufactured. These new-design senders will be used to replace the defective units and successfully interact with present gauge at no cost to the consumer. We appreciate your support and ask you to bear with us until new units can be designed, tested, and manufactured.
Auto Meter Products, Inc. regrets any inconvenience which this action may cause you. However, we are concerned about your safety. If you have any questions regarding the recall process, please contact us at the following number: 1-815-895-8141. If you wish further information regarding this recall you may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, or call 1-888-DSH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). (Washington DC residents use 1-202-366-0123)
Auto Meter Products, Inc. thanks you for your attention to this important matter.
