THOMAS MVP ER 1997: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V232011

Production Dates: 1998-02-13 - 2000-08-03

Manufacturers Involved: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 4780

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT "ECU", THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1" CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2" A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2000, TO SCHOOL BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE CUSTOMERS. OWNERS OF THE REMAINING POPULATION WERE SENT LETTERS ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.