Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- Component
- Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- Manufacturer
- NEW FLYER INDUSTRIES LTD
- Vehicles affected
- 1,001
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2008-11-07
- Owners notified
- 2008-11-17
Defect description
NEW FLYER IS RECALLING 1,001 MY 2004-2007 D40LF, MY 2005 D40LFR, AND MY 2007-2008 D60LFR TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CE NIEHOFF C701A OR C703A ALTERNATORS. FAILURE OF THE FORWARD ALTERNATOR BEARING MAY RESULT IN A DROP AND SEIZURE OF THE ROTATING ALTERNATOR SHAFT AND PULLEY. ONCE THE PULLEY IS STATIONARY, THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT CONTINUES TO PASS OVER THE PULLEY CREATING HIGH QUANTITIES OF BELT DUST.
Safety risk
DUE TO THE VERY HIGH INTERNAL TEMPERATURES CREATED AT THE BEARING DURING SHAFT SEIZURE, THE BELT DUST MAY IGNITE, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
TO INCREASE THE POTENTIAL LONGEVITY OF THE ALTERNATOR BEARINGS, DEALERS WILL INCORPORATE A LOWER TENSION BELT TENSIONER AND A NARROWER BELT. TO PREVENT THERMAL IGNITION IN THE EVENT OF A BEARING FAILURE, A LIGHTER DUTY, NARROWER BELT WILL SHRED RATHER THAN CONTINUE TO RUN OVER THE STATIONARY PULLEY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NEW FLYER AT 1-204-934-4803.