Defect Investigation Detail

MCI / D4500 / 2007

Components - Details
NHTSA Action Number: PE09042 Vehicale/Equipment Name: MCI
Vehicale/Equipment Model: D4500 Vehicale/Equipment Year: 2007
Component Name: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Manufacturer's Name: Motor Coach Industries
Date Opened: Sep, 01 2009 Date Closed: Dec, 08 2009
Subject: ALTERNATOR CABLE CHAFING Summary: This investigation was prompted by a review of service bulletins provided bymci to the agency. motor coach industries (mci) submitted a service bulletin/product improvement campaign (#3016) in their 579.5 monthly submission regarding an alternator cable chafing issue on "d" series coaches equipped with a caterpillar c13 engine and a 50dn delco alternator. the bulletin reported "the cable can chafe against an engine bracket or as a result of movement within the cable clamps.the corrective action is to install a new cable and support brackets."odi believes that there is a high risk for a thermal event resulting from alternator cables chafing within the engine compartment.odi places increased emphasis on preventing potential fires involving motor coaches and other vehicles which carry large numbers of passengers.in november2009, mci filed a safety recall (09v-346) outlining theirremedy program to resolve this issue. mci will install a new cable with a heavy duty terminal that does not have a spiral loom over the cable passing through the cable clamps.also, the new clamp and mounting bracket were changed to better align the cable as it passes through the cable clamp thus preventing a chafing condition. the action taken by mci resolves this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.