The 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.
The risk
WHEN THE FUSIBLE LINK FAILS, INSULATION ON THE FUSIBLE LINK CAN IGNITE, CREATING A FIRE RISK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1998 |
| Blue Bird TC1000 | 1998 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1998 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1998 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird TC1000 | 1998 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1998 | 0 | 17 |
Other electrical system recalls in 1998
34 of the 367 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1998 concerned the electrical system; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 98V240003 22 Dec 1998 | DAMON CORPORATION |
| 98V300000 8 Dec 1998 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 98V307000 7 Dec 1998 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 98V299000 24 Nov 1998 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 98V275000 3 Nov 1998 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 98V279000 3 Nov 1998 | GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC. |
| 98V278000 19 Oct 1998 | SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS |
| 98V252000 7 Oct 1998 | SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1998