1998 Orion V 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 equipped with lift-u wheelchair lifts, it is possible for a person to wedge their feet under the solid bar barrier linkage.

Risk

While sitting in a wheelchair, a person with no shoes and who does not have control of their feet could twist their feet and get them forced under the linkage which could result in an injury.

Remedy

Daimlerchrysler commercial is working with lift-u to repair these buses (please see 06e-093). Owners will receive a free repair kit along with installation instructions free of charge. Owners may contact lift-u at 209‑838‑2400 or orion bus at 905‑403‑7807.

Recall number 07V024000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain transit buses equipped with detroit diesel series 50 engines, the turbocharger can fail allowing lubricating oil to enter the exhaust system.

Risk

In the event the turbocharger fails, a fire may occur in the engine compartment resulting in property damage or injuries.

Remedy

Detroit diesel is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will repair the engine and install an exhaust temperature sensor to prevent the possibility of an exhaust or engine compartment fire. Owners may contact detroit diesel corporation at 313‑592‑5791 or orion at 905‑403‑7832.

Recall number 05V026000 · 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." during subsequent closing of an emergency exit the moving window frame interferes with the jam frame stop located in mid span along the lower edge of the window frame.

Risk

During the use of an emergency exit window, a window may not open after applying the required forces allowing a person to escape in the event of an emergency.

Remedy

Dealers will install two aluminum blocks each attached by two screws. The moving window frame will not interfere with the jam frame stop. The recall began may 1, 2005. Owners should contact orion at 905‑403‑7832, ext. 3335.

Recall number 04V545000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain buses equipped with cummins electronic control modules on the l10g engines, the ECM does not have the ability to detect a throttle fail-safe engine shutdown command. This could result in an unanticipated, uncommanded open throttle condition without warning.

Risk

If this event occurs, the vehicle operator will not have control of the engine speed, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Cummins will notify the customers and replace the ECM. Owners should contact cummins at 1‑800‑343‑7357 or orion at 1‑800‑658‑2871.

Recall number 04V147000 · 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. Failure of a soft seat check valve in wheelchair lifts provided by lift-u, may allow the front and rear platform barriers to return to a horizontal position from the vertical position they are supposed to be locked in.

Risk

This could allow a mobility aid to roll off of the lift platform injuring its occupant. Lift-u will replace the soft seat check valves.

Remedy

Lift-u will replace the soft seat check valves.

Recall number 99V242001 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with wheel chair barriers. The wheel chair barriers are attached to the floor structure with a bolt threaded into the floor structure. In the case of a frontal crash, with the wheel chair position occupied, the bolt threads could strip allowing movement of the wheel chair barrier.

Risk

This condition could allow movement of the wheel chair which could cause personal injury, or death, to the wheel chair occupant.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the existing wheel chair barrier leg mounting bolts with new bolts, nuts and washers.

Recall number 98V210000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with electric engine starters. The power cables are routed across the back of the engine and fastened to the engine bulkhead. The cable may not be adequately fastened, chaffing the cable, and causing an electrical short.

Risk

This condition could possibly start a fire in the engine compartment.

Remedy

Dealers rerouted the wiring in the engine compartment.

Recall number 98V230000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with sunsource/fauver tandem hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic piston pump is driven by the engine and a shaft out of the back of the pump providing power to the power steering pump. The shafts are connected together with a coupling. This coupling is fitted with two retainer clips which keeps it centered between the two pumps. These buses were shipped missing the coupling retainer clips.

Risk

Excessive movement of the coupling can disengage the two pump shafts, causing loss of power steering.

Remedy

Dealers are inspecting and retrofitting the couplings on these pumps.

Recall number 98V175000 · Recall details

ODI has received information alleging failure of the equalizer on the vehicles listed above.An equalizer provides a 12volt source from a 24 volt battery; in effect, two 12 volt batterier get equally charged in series from a 24 volt source, and equally discharged in parallel into a 12 volt load.The equalizing term refers to the distribution of charge and discharge energy between the two separte 12 volt batteries. When the failure occurs the equalizer smokes excessively, filling the bus with smoke.As these buses may be carrying 50 or more people, excessive smoking (with possibility of a fire) is a concern.A fire may also result.A preliminary evaluation is being opened to gauge the scope of the issue, the technical causes of the equalizer failures and to address the resulting public safety concerns.

PE99075