Vehicle Speed Control:springs

NHTSA recall 86V079000 · announced June 16, 1986 · filed by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. · 942 units affected

The problem

TWO THROTTLE RETURN SPRING DEFECTS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL. (1) BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES MAY HAVE A THROTTLE RETURN SPRING THAT BREAKS AND PREVENTS THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL; (2) BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS VT-225 ENGINES MAY HAVE THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE SLAVE CYLINDER INSTEAD OF THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP LEVER. IF FAILURE OCCURS IN THE ACCELERATION CONTROL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE MAY ACCELERATE TO ITS MAXIMUM GOVERNED RPM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN EITHER CASE, THROTTLE CONTROL WILL BE LOST WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

What to do

A REPAIR KIT CONSISTING OF NEW SPRING, MOUNTING BRACKET AND PROPER REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE SHIPPED TO EACH OWNER AT NO CHARGE AND THE OWNER MAY MAKE HIS OWN REPAIRS, OR HAVE A THOMAS DISTRIBUTOR OR A REPUTABLE LOCAL SHOP MAKE THE REPAIRS.

Notes

SYSTEM: THROTTLE LEVER RETURN SPRING. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH A GVWR GREATER THAN 10,000 POUNDS.

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 1982 Thomas Saf-t-liner
• 1983 Thomas Saf-t-liner
• 1984 Thomas Saf-t-liner
• 1985 Thomas Saf-t-liner
• 1986 Thomas Saf-t-liner
• 1982 Thomas Transit Liner
• 1983 Thomas Transit Liner
• 1984 Thomas Transit Liner
• 1985 Thomas Transit Liner
• 1986 Thomas Transit Liner

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.