1998 BLUE BIRD TC2000 Recalls (17)

Campaign:
97V197000 on 11/19/1997
Component:
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Manufactured:
01/04/1988 - 04/05/1998
Affected:
16,338
Defect:
Vehicle description: front and rear engine school buses equipped with 60 gallon side mounted fuel tank barriers. these buses do not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity."
Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, the fuel tank could be damaged, leaking fuel, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
Correction:
Blue bird will ship instructions and modification kits to the owners of these buses.
Notes:
Owner notification is expected to begin march 10, 1998.owners who do not receive the free modification kits and instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
98V043000 on 03/11/1998
Component:
Interior lighting
Manufactured:
09/05/1997 - 02/08/1998
Affected:
151
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses. the parking brake indicator light can illuminate without the parking brake being set.
Consequence:
A driver may see the parking brake indicator light on and leave the bus. the bus may then roll increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
Correction:
Dealers will add a diode to the stop light circuit to prevent illumination of the parking brake indicator unless the parking brake has been set.
Notes:
Owner notification began march 12, 1998.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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
98V110000 on 05/26/1998
Component:
Fuel system, other:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufactured:
10/08/1996 - 08/20/1997
Affected:
64
Defect:
Vehicle description: rear engine school buses equipped with option 04888 dedicated compressed natural gas (cng) fuel package. the 24" long stainless steel braided fuel hoses can leak at the hose end fittings.
Consequence:
These hoses can fracture allowing cng fuel leakage increasing the risk of a fire.
Correction:
Dealers will replace these hoses with conductive thermoplastic hoses.
Notes:
Owner notificationbegan june 11, 1998.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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
98V313000 on 12/13/1998
Component:
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Manufactured:
02/25/1998 - 11/26/1998
Affected:
2,740
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit forward and rear engine buses equipped with cummins isb and isc engines. the wiring harness to the combustion air intake grid heater can chafe against the engine and wear through causing an electrical short in the grid heater power supply. the short causes the fusible link to fail.
Consequence:
When the fusible link fails, insulation on the fusible link can ignite, creating a fire risk in the engine compartment.
Correction:
Owners will be advised to replace the original grid heater power supply harness with fusible links with a new grid heater power supply harness equipped with fuses. in addition, a clamp will be added to support the harness away from the engine components.
Notes:
Owner notification is expected to begin december 17, 1998. 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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
99V018000 on 01/31/1999
Component:
Seats
Manufactured:
04/01/1997 - 01/03/1999
Affected:
41,260
Defect:
Vehicle description: school buses. the wall side attaching bolts for some of the passenger seats may have been installed too close to the edge of the seat ledge and in the wrong attaching hole resulting in weakening of the seat ledge at the attachment points.
Consequence:
In the event of a frontal crash, the rear attaching bolt of these seats could pull out of the seat ledge increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Correction:
Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to strengthen the passenger seat attachment at the wall side.
Notes:
Owner notification began april 28 and july 29, 1999. owners who do not receive the free parts and instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
99V289000 on 10/28/1999
Component:
Electrical system:wiring
Manufactured:
02/25/1998 - 10/25/1999
Affected:
2,710
Defect:
Vehicle description: school buses equipped with cummins isb engines. electrical power cables may not have been routed properly from the alternator output to the starting motor.
Consequence:
If the cables are not routed properly, the cable insulation could be abraded by contact with other chassis components, causing an electrical short.
Correction:
Dealers will add loom and reroute the electrical power cable from the alternator output to staring motor. any cables found with abrasions will be replaced.
Notes:
Blue bird recall no. r99df.owner notification began december 17, 1999.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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
99V332000 on 11/28/1999
Component:
Suspension:front
Manufactured:
09/28/1998 - 11/16/1999
Affected:
257
Defect:
Vehicle description: school buses. there is a shimmy in the front end of the bus.
Consequence:
This condition could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Correction:
Owners will be provided with an axle damper kit and installation instructions.
Notes:
Owner notification began december 15, 1999.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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
00V051000 on 02/27/2000
Component:
Service brakes, air:supply:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufactured:
03/18/1998 - 02/02/2000
Affected:
3,113
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with bendix abs anti-lock braking system. the primary and secondary brake treadle valve air lines were installed incorrectly at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
Consequence:
With the brake system installed incorrectly, future maintenance might be affected by this inconsistency, causing the brakes to be installed incorrect, increasing the risk of a crash.
Correction:
Dealers will correct the air line plumbing at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
Notes:
Owner notification began march 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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
00V162000 on 06/15/2000
Component:
Service brakes, air:controls:foot control
Manufactured:
10/14/1997 - 05/30/2000
Affected:
9,687
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with bendix air brakes. bendix changed the internal design of the qr1c relay valve by adding a hole in the internal diaphragm. when the hole in the diaphragm aligns with the hole in the valve body, the brake application time increases.
Consequence:
Under certain conditions, such as parked on an incline, driver activates the parking brake but removes foot from the threadle valve, the bus could roll before the parking brake is fully engaged.
Correction:
Dealers will replace the diaphragms with holes with solid diaphragms for the qr1c valves.
Notes:
Owner notification began june 14, 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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
00V219000 on 08/10/2000
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
10/31/1993 - 12/05/1999
Affected:
25,839
Defect:
Vehicle description: school buses. these buses fail to meet the 60 percent joint strength requirements of fmvss no. 221, "school bus body joint strength."
Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, the roof may not be supported sufficiently, causing personal injury to bus occupants.
Correction:
Owners will be contacted and advised to inspect each roof joint. owners will install repair rivets in each joint found to have insufficient quantity of rivets in each examined 8 inch section.
Notes:
Owner notification began december 18, 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 blue bird at 1-912-822-2242.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
00V232005 on 09/25/2000
Component:
Service brakes, air:antilock
Manufactured:
12/31/1997 - 08/23/2000
Affected:
10,918
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses built with bendix air abs with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted abs activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed abs wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
Consequence:
This condition could cause the abs ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. this could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
Correction:
Dealers will replace the abs ecu.
Notes:
Owner notification began september 5,2000.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 blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
01V191000 on 06/13/2001
Component:
Electrical system:wiring
Manufactured:
05/31/1995 - 05/30/2001
Affected:
5,631
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. the 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.
Consequence:
This condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.
Correction:
Dealers will remove and inspect the 12-volt power cable(s) from the battery to the starter and, if necessary, will replace the cables. owner notification began july 30, 2001. 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 blue bird at 1-912-822-2242.
Notes:
Blue bird recall no. r01ff.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
02V185000 on 07/22/2002
Component:
Equipment:other:labels
Manufactured:
11/29/1995 - 04/22/2002
Affected:
408
Defect:
Certain transit buses fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle standard no. 101, "controls and displays." this standard requires specific labeling for "engine start" and "engine stop." the wording of the labels on these vehicles do not meet the requirements of the standard.
Consequence:
The operator could place the engine switch in a position other than that intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Correction:
Owners will be provided with new decals and installation instructions. owner notification began august 29, 2002. owners who do not receive the free label and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes:
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
02V233000 on 09/04/2002
Component:
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Manufactured:
03/08/1998 - 02/24/1999
Affected:
318
Defect:
On certain front engine school and transit buses equipped with blue bird option 40177 cummins isb engine, the alternator power cables may not be routed properly from the alternator output to the starter motor.
Consequence:
If the cables are not routed properly, the cable insulation could be abraded by contact with other chassis components resulting in a short to ground.
Correction:
Dealers will add a loom and reroute the electrical power cable from alternator output to starting motor. the alternator power cable will be replaced if abrasions are found. owner notification is expected to begin on or about september 30, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes:
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
03V085000 on 03/18/2003
Component:
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Manufactured:
03/04/1998 - 06/02/1999
Affected:
4,302
Defect:
On certain school and transit buses equipped with cummins isb 6 cylinder engines, the lower alternator support brace or mounting hardware can loosen or break which will allow the alternator to drop onto the engine.
Consequence:
In this event, the electrical wiring harness may be damaged and the possibility of fire may exist.
Correction:
Cummins will notify customers and replace the upper and lower alternator support brackets free of charge. owners who take their vehicle to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Notes:
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
03V363000 on 10/22/2003
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
08/30/1990 - 07/11/1999
Affected:
8,088
Defect:
Certain school buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 221, "school bus body joint strength." one or more of the bolts attaching the driver's platform to the floor structure was omitted.
Consequence:
The rear of the driver's platform may not be properly retained in the event of a crash which could increase the risk of injury or death to passengers.
Correction:
Blue bird will notify its customers and inspect and repair the affected units. owner notification began on november 20, 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 blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Notes:
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
05V062000 on 02/27/2005
Component:
Fuel system, diesel
Affected:
18,891
Defect:
Certain 1998 through 2002 blue bird all american, tc2000 school and transit buses, and commercial series buses equipped with cummins isb diesel engines. the fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
Consequence:
Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Correction:
Customers will be notified by cummins to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the fuel lift pump replaced free of charge. for more information, customers may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Notes:
Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

1998 BLUE BIRD TC2000 TSBs (4)

Bulletin:
S98CE
Component:
980000 unknown or other
Summary:
Buses may experience a false warning light, alarm and rapid switching of multi-function gauge on dash. *tt
Bulletin:
R98CH
Component:
114000 electrical system:wiring
Summary:
Subject regarding recall r98ch cummins electronic engines combustion air intake grid heater wiring modification. *tt
Bulletin:
S01EP
Component:
115000 electrical system:fuses and circuit breakers
Summary:
Subject buses may have had concerns regarding fuses blowing frequently in the front heater circuit. *tt
Bulletin:
SM1601
Component:
355200 equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Summary:
Blue bird troubleshooting guides: blue bird announcement of the addition of troubleshooting guides for assisting in the service of the blue bird products. these troubleshooting guides are available on the vantage website.

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