Intermittent stop signal arm

What NHTSA investigated

This investigation was prompted by complaints from two fleets alleging continuous problems with the stop arms failing during cold, wet weather.stop arms are required by federal motor vehicle safety standard, FMVSS 131, school bus pedestrian safety devices.during the investigation, odi became aware of a november 2004 blue bird service bulletin addressing moisture entering the base of the stop arm and potentially preventing the stop arm from operating properly.according to the bulletin, in early 2004, the supplier of the stop arm, speciality mfr CO (smc),added a heater designed to keep the microswitch contacts from freezing after the intrusion of water.on some of the early stop arms, the heater wires were not connected.field information indicated that the problem extended to other school bus final stage manufacturers.the investigation revealed the problem began in 2002 after smc changed the vendor of the microswitches and ended in early 2005 when smc again changed the switch vendor.as a result of odi?s investigation, smc has agreed to initiate a safety recall to inspect and replace the microswitches that are used internally to open and close the sign.also, smc requires that the sign be inspected for an internal heater and it?s proper installation.the proper procedure for this inspection and repair is outlined in the defect report submitted by smc.a copy of the recall is attached. Eleven final stage manufacturers have purchased the subject stop arm.all have been contacted by smc and will be individually filing a defect report with the agency. This action resolves the issues raised by this investigation. Accordingly, this investigation is closed

Recalls that followed

1. Mid Bus — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V49000021 October 2005636 vehicles
2. Corbeil — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V42900026 September 20055,277 vehicles
3. Girardin — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V3520004 August 20051,498 vehicles
4. Thomas — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V3470003 August 20055,954 vehicles
5. Collins — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V3430001 August 20051,345 vehicles
6. Collins — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V3450001 August 2005687 vehicles
7. Us Bus — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V33600026 July 200540 vehicles
8. IC Bus — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V33700026 July 20056,432 vehicles
9. Thomas — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V34000025 July 200513,583 vehicles
10. IC Bus — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V33100020 July 200518,071 vehicles
11. Van-Con — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V3080005 July 2005406 vehicles
12. Mid Bus — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V29200016 June 20052,070 vehicles
13. Blue Bird — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V23900020 May 20058,894 vehicles
14. Blue Bird — Other: School Bus Stop Arm Assembly05V25100020 May 20053,121 vehicles
15. Specialty Manufacturing — Equipment05E03800017 May 20052,680 vehicles
16. Specialty Manufacturing — Equipment: Mechanical05E03200010 May 200579,736 vehicles

Vehicles covered

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.