ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Mar 27, 1995
1,166 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN IN OPERATION, THE PRE-HEATER REQUIRES GOOD ENGINE GROUND. HOWEVER, THE ALTERNATORS ARE NOT GROUNDED THROUGH THE CASE, LIMITING THE GROUND FOR ENGINE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE PRE-HEATER AMPERAGE CAN THEN GROUND TO THE STEEL BRAIDED AIR COMPRESSOR HOSE WHICH IS SECURED IN A RUBBER LINED CLIP. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CLIP CAN CONTACT THE FRAME RAIL CAUSING AN ARC.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A HOLE TO BE BURNED THROUGH THE AIR LINE, PREVENTING THE AIR COMPRESSOR FROM DELIVERING SUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM REDUCING BRAKE CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 6 GAUGE GROUND CABLE BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE EXISTING STARTER GROUND CABLE LOCATED INSIDE THE FRAME RAIL.
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov