WHEN IN OPERATION, THE PRE-HEATER REQUIRES GOOD ENGINE GROUND. HOWEVER, THE ALTERNATORS ARE NOT GROUNDED THROUGH THE CASE, LIMITING THE GROUND FOR ENGINE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE PRE-HEATER AMPERAGE CAN THEN GROUND TO THE STEEL BRAIDED AIR COMPRESSOR HOSE WHICH IS SECURED IN A RUBBER LINED CLIP. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CLIP CAN CONTACT THE FRAME RAIL CAUSING AN ARC.
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A HOLE TO BE BURNED THROUGH THE AIR LINE, PREVENTING THE AIR COMPRESSOR FROM DELIVERING SUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM REDUCING BRAKE CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 6 GAUGE GROUND CABLE BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE EXISTING STARTER GROUND CABLE LOCATED INSIDE THE FRAME RAIL.
SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; ALTERNATOR; REGULATOR; STARTER.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORHOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH A 1994 OR LATER 300 H.P.C 8.3 CUMMINS ENGINE EQUIPPED WITH PRE-HEATERS AND A 160 AMP LEECE NEVILLE "POWERLINE" ALTERNATOR.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400, EXT. 370.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT1-800-424-9393.