Preliminary Evaluation · OVER STRESSED BATTERY CABLES · Opened 2006-07-10 · Closed 2006-08-31
Investigation
Action number
PE06026
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Open date
2006-07-10
Close date
2006-08-31
Manufacturer
Blue Bird Body Company
Affected makes
BLUE BIRD
Affected components
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Affected model years
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Affected (make, year) variants
4
Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI WAS NOTIFIED BY THE GSA AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING DIVISION THAT THEY HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE ABATTERY CABLE TERMINAL END FAILED. GSA REPORTED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AS BEING TOO SHORT AND BEING STRESSED DURING NORMAL OPERATION RESULTING IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION.THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE SHUT DOWN OR POSSIBLY A THERMAL EVENT IF THECABLE SHORTS TO A GROUND SOURCE UPON FAILURE.BLUEBIRD HAS FILED A SAFETY DEFECT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE ORIGINAL CABLE WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A LONGER BATTERY CABLE. THE AMMETER SHUNT MOUNTING WILL ALSO BE UPGRADED ON ALL BUSES DELIVERED THROUGH JULY 12, 2006.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSE.