VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN BUSES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPER CONNECTION OF THE HEATER HARNESS FROM THE HEATER SWITCH TO THE CONNECTOR JUST OUTSIDE THE HEATER UNIT. THE ASSEMBLY LEFT A LOOSE HOT WIRE IN THE HEATER HARNESS WITH AN UNPROTECTED TERMINAL THAT COULD CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT. THIS WIRE IS PROTECTED WITH A 20-AMPERE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, BUT IN A RARE CASE COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURE WITHOUT THE CORRECT PROTECTION IN SOME CASES CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE COMPONENT.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THIS DEFECT WILL REQUIRE PLACING THE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY IN THE TERMINALS TO THE HIGH-SPEED BLOWER RELAY AND HARNESS CONNECTION AT THE HEATER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 1-800-843-5615.
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).