Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- Component
- Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- Manufacturer
- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
- Vehicles affected
- 1,166
- Reported to NHTSA
- 1995-03-27
- Owners notified
- 1995-05-08
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 6 GAUGE GROUND CABLE BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE EXISTING STARTER GROUND CABLE LOCATED INSIDE THE FRAME RAIL.