1998 Orion II problems

What is wrong

Daimler buses is recalling certain orion transit buses equipped with the morse remote throttle control. The morse remote throttle control panel is located in the engine compartment and a switch on it is labeled, "throttle"; "off" or "front" and "on" or "rear" selecting the active engine control station. If a person operating the engine from the "rear" position (at the engine) fails to place the switch in the "off" or "front" position and the engine RPM was set to above idle during maintenance for example, when the bus is started from the driver's station the engine could change to the higher RPM resulting in unwanted engine power.

Risk

The bus could accelerate at a higher rate than anticipated increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Daimler will provide instructions to modify the wiring to the morse throttle control switch. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on april 1, 2010. Owners may contact daimler buses at 1‑800‑716‑7466.

Recall number 10V015000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain transit buses, the fuel lift pump could fail in a manner which results in engine fuel starvation, which could result in a stall condition. Potential lift pump failure modes include: brush wear out, bushing failure, rotor tab insert failure, or any other failure mode that would cause the fuel pumping element to stop spinning.

Risk

If the fuel lift pump pumping element stops spinning and the fuel pumping vanes stop in a location which blocks fuel flow through the lift pump, the engine will be starved of fuel. Fuel starvation could cause low engine power, engine misfire, or engine stall. Prior to the engine stalling, the operator could experience low engine power, engine misfire, and/or dash-mounted fault lamp illumination.

Remedy

Cummins is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners may contact cummins at 1‑800‑343‑7357 or orion bus at 905‑403‑7807.

Recall number 05V079000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain transit buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release." the handle pull force exceeds the 89n force to release the emergency window. Additional force is required to release the window.

Risk

In the event of a crash, an occupant may have difficulty opening the emergency exit window, increasing the risk of personal injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will repair these windows. Owner notification began june 1, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact orion at 1‑800‑492‑2116.

Recall number 03V120000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with vanner 60 series battery equalizers. The equalizer could fail to operate properly and cause malfunction of the battery charging system.

Risk

Without fusing, the equalizer may melt, burn, or smoke, possibly resulting in a fire or a smoke filled bus, thus necessitating a passenger evacuation of the bus. The failure mode can cause operator distraction, and/or possible personal injury.

Remedy

Orion will notify owners to inspect their buses for certain equalizers by the date code. The affected equalizers will be replaced by vanner. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vanner at 1‑800‑227‑6937.

Recall number 01V033005 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with challenger 2000 model 170 series alternators. The positive power stud may not be properly seated in place causing a loose connection. This loose connection causes an over-heat condition when the alternator is under a load. Also the material used to insulate the power stud from the rectifier can tear and cause the positive power stud to ground to the alternator case.

Risk

The alternator can get hot enough to catch fire which could spread to other areas of the vehicle.

Remedy

Dealers will replace these alternators.

Recall number 98V189000 · Recall details

Orion's service bulletin (not dated) points out that missing wire/cable cleats were responsible for a bus fire.the service bulletin recommends all buses be inspected to insure that cables are properly routed and secure.after analyses of the data obtained, two failure modes were identified that caused the fires on these buses.this was evident by fire patterns and location of the fire damage.orion bus concurred and concluded its investigation by identifying safety recalls.they have filed separate safety defect reports and have begun repairing the involved buses.no further use of the agency resources appear warranted at this time.the agency reserves the right to take further action on these matters, if warranted by the circumstaces.this investigation is closed.

SQ98013