1997 Thomas MVP problems

What is wrong

Certain school buses with weldon technologies' 5050-1400 surface mount marker lights have an option to replace each of the twelve clearance/marker/identification lights with four-candlepower lights, twice the candlepower normally used. The higher current demand created by these lights can cause excessive heat through the headlight switch connection if a relay is not installed between the combination tail/marker light circuit and the headlight switch.

Risk

This can result in deformation of the plastic connectors that connect the headlight switch to its wiring harness.

Remedy

Dealers will install a relay to reduce the current draw through the headlight switch. Owner notification began september 8, 2000. 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 thomas built at 1‑336‑881‑7219.

Recall number 00V174000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses equipped with neway ad 200 rear air suspensions. There is interference between the suspension u-bolt and the rear axle which can cause the u-bolt to crack and fall off.

Risk

This condition could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with a detailed repair procedure and free parts.

Recall number 00V041000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit and school buses equipped with electronic engines. The bottom edge of the accelerator pedal can catch on the floor mat when the pedal is fully depressed. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 124, "accelerator control systems."

Risk

If the accelerator pedal catches on the floor mat, engine overspeed could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install a new accelerator pedal mounting bracket to raise the accelerator so the pedal does not catch on the floor mat.

Recall number 99V176000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit and school buses equipped with cummins isb or caterpillar 3126 engines. A decal that warns of the danger of using ether or other starting fluids in the engine air intake system was omitted. The label should be located on the fixed headlight panel on the front of the bus.

Risk

The electrical preheater element could possibly be ignited by starting fluid sprayed into the air intake system, resulting in explosion and possible personal injury to those in and around the bus.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with a warning label and installation instructions.

Recall number 99V177000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with national seating series 93b-sb driver seat. A bracket attaching to the height adjusting shock absorber on the driver's seat can deform and break.

Risk

This condition can result in a sudden drop of the driver's seat, increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle and a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will add a reinforcement to the bracket, or if the bracket is deformed and/or broken, the entire seat base will be replaced.

Recall number 98V229000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with non-electronic cummins b5.9l engines. The sliding action of the accelerator linkage lever over the hand throttle cable can cause the hand throttle wire to wear a notch in the accelerator linkage resulting in binding of the linkage. This fails to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 124, "accelerator control systems."

Risk

Such binding can prevent the accelerator control from returning to idle quickly or from returning to idle position at all, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the existing accelerator linkage lever and readjust the hand throttle cable, or replace the existing hand throttle attachment clip and readjust the hand throttle cable.

Recall number 98V054000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses. The flip seats installed on these buses do not meet the rearward push requirements of fmvss no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

Risk

In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with repair parts and a detailed repair procedure. If an owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.

Recall number 97V192000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school and transit buses. If debris becomes trapped between the plastic cup, which seals the opening where the steering column comes through the bus floor and the steering knuckle, the steering linkage can bind.

Risk

Binding of the steering linkage could cause the driver to over steer the vehicle, possibly resulting in loss of control of the vehicle or a crash.

Remedy

Owners are requested to remove the plastic seal which will leave an opening between the vehicle floor and the steering column. Thomas built is in the process of designing a proper seal for that area, and this seal will be sent to owners for installation.

Recall number 97V177000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with in-line six engine,"s" type frame rails and side mounted battery box. The battery cable routing allows the positive cable to chafe resulting in a possible short circuit of the cable.

Risk

If an electrical short occurs, it can cause loss of power to the vehicle and a possible vehicle fire.

Remedy

Thomas built will provide owners with repair parts and detailed repair procedures to secure the cable to prevent further damage. If the owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.

Recall number 97V133000 · Recall details

This investigation was opened after odi received notification from two fleets alleging thediscovery ofnumerous seat belts with cut webbing as a result of the webbing abrading against anunderseat metal bracket.the subject vehicles are class a school buses weighing under 10,000 pounds.they are required by federal standard fmvss 208 to have seat belts.as a result of this investigation, freightliner will conduct a safety recall to inspect all affected buses for seat belt ?chafing? And will replacedamaged belts as needed. Also, the seat belt retainer strip will be modified or replaced to prevent future chafing.freightliner expanded the scope of the recall (beyond the original investigation population) to include approximately 10,251 additional buses having gross vehicle weight ratings greater than 10,000 lbs.they determined that these buses are also susceptible to the chafing action.there is no federalrequirement for seat belts in school buses weighing over 10,000 pounds.however, some customers have ordered seat belts and some states have requirements for seat belts.therefore, freightliner has agreed to address those buses even though there is no applicable federal standard.the recall action taken by freightliner resolves the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.

PE06057