NHTSA Campaign 01V241000
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
Issued by AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. · Reported Nov 20, 2001 · 11,944 vehicles affected
What's wrong
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES WERE BUILT WITH A POOR QUALITY HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWER SWITCH. IN SOME CASES THIS HAS CAUSED THE MELTING OF THE HEATER HARNESS CONNECTOR AT THE SWITCH TERMINALS OR THE HIGH-SPEED WIRE INSULATION AT THE CONNECTOR. ALSO, SOME OF THE UNITS HAD IMPROPER CIRCUIT PROTECTION SIZE INSTALLED IN THE HEATER DEFROSTER CIRCUIT.
Consequence
IF AN OPERATOR DETECTS SMOKE OR THE SMELL OF MELTING WIRE INSULATION FROM THE BLOWER CONTROL PANEL, THE OPERATION OF THE HEATER/DEFROSTER AT HIGH SPEED SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED UNTIL THE REPAIR IS MADE.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND SWITCH HARNESS WITH A NEW SWITCH, SWITCH HARNESS, RELAY AND RELAY HARNESS. FOR THE RE UNITS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1999, THE KIT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A 20-AMPERE MANUAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 800-843-5615.
Vehicles affected by this recall
| Make | Model | Year | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMTRAN | FE | 1999 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | FE | 2000 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | FE | 2001 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | RE | 1996 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | RE | 1997 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | RE | 1998 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | RE | 1999 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | RE | 2000 | 11,944 |
| AMTRAN | RE | 2001 | 11,944 |
Source: NHTSA Campaign 01V241000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.