NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE09001

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI LEARNED ABOUT A FIREALLEGED TO HAVE STARTED FROM THE MAIN BATTERY CABLE CHAFING AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE.THE SUBJECT BUS WAS A NEW 2008 MODEL AND THE BATTERY CABLE RUNS FROM THE ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BLOCK TO THE BATTERY.THE PROBLEM ONLY AFFECTS BUSES EQUIPPED WITH THE CATERPILLAR ENGINE.SUBSEQUENT FIELD INSPECTIONS FOUND BATTERY CABLES ON TWO OTHER BUSES SHOWING SIGNS OF ABRASIONAGAINST THE REAR OF THE ENGINE.ON FEBRUARY 16, 2009, BLUE BIRD FILED A SAFETY RECALL TO INSPECT ALL INVOLVED BUSES. BLUE BIRD WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY POWER CABLES AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE ON THE SUSPECT BUSES AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS NECESSARY.THIS RECALL ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.