1989 Blue Bird TC2000 problems

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.

Remedy

BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.

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.

Remedy

BLUE BIRD WILL SHIP INSTRUCTIONS AND MODIFICATION KITS TO THE OWNERS OF THESE BUSES.

Defect

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE DIRECTED TO REMOVE ALL FORWARD HANDRAILS. PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR THOSE OWNERS OPERATING IN STATES WHICH MANDATE A FORWARD HANDRAIL THAT A REPLACEMENT HANDRAIL WILL BE PROVIDED.

Defect

THESE UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COUNTER WEIGHT ASSEMBLY MADE UP OF 300 POUNDS OF 1/4" PLATE STEEL WELDED TOGETHER AND BOLTED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS IN THE REAR OVERHANG JUST FORWARD OF THE REAR BUMPER. SOME OF THE WELDS HAVE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDS, CORROSION, OR ICE EXPANSION.

Consequence

THESE PLATES CAN DROP TO THE ROADWAY BECOMING A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MECHANICAL RETAINING DEVICE WHICH CLAMPS THE PLATES TOGETHER AND FASTENED WITH THREADED FASTENERS. BUS OWNERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF REPAIRING THEIR OWN VEHICLES.

Defect

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SET SCREW TO THE METAL CLAMP WHICH RETAINS THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL. A HIGH IMPACT MOLDED PLASTIC "CLAM SHELL" WILL BE PLACED OVER EACH END OF THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL COMPLETELY COVERING THE CLAMP AND ELIMINATING ALL CATCH-POINTS. THE FLANGE OF THE EXISTING FLOOR LINE BRACKET WILL BE CRIMPED SECURING THE VERTICAL SECTION OF THE PRIMARY TUBLAR HANDRAIL AT THE FLOOR LINE.

Defect

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.

Defect

THE ELECTRIC VANDAL LOCK CENTER PLUNGER CAN TAP THE CONTROL LOCK PIN, OF THE OUTWARD OPENING DOOR, WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR LOCK TO BECOME DISENGAGED.

Consequence

THE DISENGAGED DOOR LOCK ALLOWS THE DOOR TO OPEN WITHOUTPRIOR WARNING AND ENDANGER OCCUPANTS NEAR THE DOOR IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Remedy

MODIFY THE VANDAL DOOR LOCKS WITH BLUE BIRD SUPPLIED KITS.

Defect

A 150 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER, OPTION 4362, HAS BEEN WIRED IN PARALLEL WITH A STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT, THEREBY NOT PROVIDING THE REQUIRED PROTECTION.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR SHORT-CIRCUIT, INADEQUATE CIRCUITPROTECTION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT MUST BE REMOVED.

Defect

UNDERSIZED CRIMP ON WIRE FROM HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO DIMMER SWITCH CREATES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AND CAN CAUSE A SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHT WIRING SYSTEM.

Consequence

A SHORT COULD RESULT IN HEADLIGHT LOSS WHICH PRESENTS APOTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE DIMMER SWITCH WITH NEW 14 GAUGE WIRE WITH PROPERLY CRIMPED CONNECTIONS.

Defect

LOCK PINS IN STEERING WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY MY SHEAR OFF, ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL THAT COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPAIR USING A POSITIVE LOCKING METHOD.

Defect

BENDIX HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF FLUID TEMPERATURE AND BRAKE PEDAL FORCE.

Consequence

THIS WOULD CAUSE THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO SELF-APPLY AND RESULT IN FULL BRAKE APPLICATION, WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER.

Defect

THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER SEPARATOR IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE CHASSIS FRAME CROSS MEMBER WHICH COULD DEFORM AND DISLODGE THE BOWL OF THE SEPARATOR IN AN ACCIDENT.

Consequence

FUEL SPILLAGE DURING AND AFTER A CRASH, IN EXCESS OF LIMIT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301, COULD CAUSE A FIRE NEAR A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

RELOCATE FUEL FILTER - SEPARATOR TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE WITH CROSSMEMBER IN ANY CRASH.

Defect

FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY CONTAIN CRACKED BRAKE DRUMS DUE TO IMPROPER FIT BETWEEN THE WHEEL HUBS AND THE BRAKE DRUMS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BUS BRAKING CONTROL AND RESULTIN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE DRUMS.

Defect

LOOSE RETAINING NUT ON STEERING WHEEL COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO FEEL LOOSE.

Consequence

THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT STEERING CONTROL WITHPOTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

TORQUE RETAINING NUT TO SPECIFICATION AND APPLY LOCKTITE.