1994 Freightliner FLB problems

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. THE SHOULDER BOLT WHICH HOLDS THE GROTE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CASE AND COMPONENTS TOGETHER CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONING.

Consequence

IF THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION IS LOST, FOLLOWING MOTORISTS WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE TURNING VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE BOLTS AND IN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WITHIN 2 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER. THE SHOULDER BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, CLEANED, AND REINSTALLED WITH LOCTITE. OWNERS CAN ALSO REQUEST LOCTITE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS SO THEY CAN FIX THE VEHICLES THEMSELVES.

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HORTON FAN DRIVES. THE FAN DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS RECONFIGURED WHICH RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR FAN ACTIVATION AND ASSOCIATED STRESS TO ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS. VARIOUS COMPONENT FAILURE MODELS, COMBINED WITH CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAN CLUTCH AND ITS BEARINGS, CAN CAUSE FAN CLUTCH BEARINGS TO FAIL PREMATURELY AND RESULT IN A LOCKED FAN.

Consequence

IF THE FAN IS LOCKED, THE THE SYSTEM CALLS FOR THE FAN TO BE ON, THE FAN CLUTCH WILL SLIP, GENERATE HEAT, AND UNLESS RELEASED, WILL RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN CLUTCH DRIVE DISC WITH ONE THAT INCORPORATES A THERMALLY ACTIVATED PRESSURE RELIEF.

Defect

THE GLASS IN THE SWING-OUT SIDE WINDOW CAN SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW FRAME.

Consequence

THE GLASS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES IF SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE TRUCKIS IN MOTION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWING-OUT SIDE WINDOWS WITH A SIDE WINDOW RETAINED BY ADHESIVE.

Defect

AIR SYSTEM BLOCKAGE IN THE AIR DRYER OCCURS DEGRADING THE MOISTURE REMOVING CAPABILITIES OF THE DRYER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN A COLD ENVIRONMENT AND MOISTURE ACCUMULATES AND FREEZES IN THE AIR DRYER OR IN THE LINE BETWEEN THE DRYER AND THE AIR SYSTEM RESERVOIR. THE AIR DRYER CAN BECOME OVER PRESSURIZED CAUSING THE AIR DRYER CARTRIDGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING BASE.

Consequence

IF THE AIR DRYER SEPARATES FROM THE BASE, THE CARTRIDGECAN SEPARATE SUFFICIENTLY ENOUGH TO CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL EQUIP AIR SYSTEMS WITH A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE TO BE LOCATED BETWEEN THE COMPRESSOR AND THE AIR DRYER. THIS PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE IS INTENDED TO VENT IF EXCESSIVE PRESSURE DEVELOPS IN THE AIR DRYER.

Defect

A LARGER THAN SPECIFIED SCREW WAS USED TO MOUNT A POWER JUNCTION STUD BLOCK TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE TUNNEL. THE LARGER SCREW DID NOT ALLOW ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE SCREW HEAD AND THE RING TERMINALS WHICH ATTACH TO THE STUD. CONTACT BETWEEN THE RING TERMINALS AND THE SCREW HEAD CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN LEAD TO POSSIBLE FIRES WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

CORRECT SIZE MOUNTING FASTENERS WILL BE INSTALLED TO REPLACE THE OVERSIZE SCREWS. THESE WILL BE RECESSED INTO THE MOUNTING BLOCK AND CANNOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE RING TERMINALS.