Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93351
Tech Updates Copper And Water's Effect On The Electrical System Once moisture penetrates copper wiring, it can have a negative impact on a vehicle's electrical system. According to Phillips, when given a gateway into a vehicle's electrical system the copper wiring soaks up moisture and contaminants like a dry sponge. On a truck, wiring heats up and cools down on a constant basis. When the wir- ing heats up, it expands, and when it cools down, it shrinks, sucking the moisture in. To show the eff ect of water on copper, Phillips placed one end of a 7 in. piece of 12-gauge copper wire stripped about ½ in. on either end in approximately half a cup of regular tap water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. Aſt er sitting for approximately 24 hours, the salt water already had made its way through the wire, and approximately 40 SAFETY RECALLS The following are safety recalls recently is- sued by the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration: ■ The brake system check valve on certain Utility Manufacturing Company model year 2013 Utility VS2DX dry vans manu- factured from May 16, 2012, through June 13, 2012, was installed incorrectly, causing a delay in brake application. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Mo- tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems." Delay in application of the trailer brakes increases the stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash. ■ Certain model MT-HR-H-06 Idle Free Systems, Inc. auxiliary power units (APU), manufactured from February 2010 through December 2011 and installed as aftermarket equipment on heavy- duty trucks are capturing excess energy produced by the truck's alternator. This en- ergy is converted to electricity, which can be used to power A/C and heating systems in the truck's cab. The battery separator contained in the APU could experience an internal circuit board capacitor failure, which could result in a fi re. ■ Hardware used to secure the windshield wiper linkage to the wiper motor may not be suffi ciently torqued on certain Mack model year 2012 CHU, CXU and GU vehicles, manufactured from Oct. 10, 2011, through Nov. 17, 2011. This may cause the windshield wiper linkage to detach from the wiper motor and may result in the windshield wipers failing to function. If this occurs, under certain driving condi- tions the driver's visibility will be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. ■ The upper bunk restraint belt and buckle assembly may be less than the specifi ed strength on certain model year 2013 Kenworth T680 vehicles, manufactured from Jan. 19, 2012, through May 15, 2012. In the event of a crash or sudden vehicle deceleration, an unexpected unlatching of the upper bunk restraint harness buckle could occur, increasing the risk of personal injury to an occupant. ■ The warning label located on the front of the upper bunk on certain model year 2013 Kenworth T680 vehicles, manufac- tured from Jan. 19, 2012, through May 15, 2012, may deform after installation, making the text unreadable. If the warn- ing label is not readable, the occupant may be unaware of the safety recom- mendations and be at an increased risk of personal injury in a crash or sudden vehicle deceleration. ■ Over time, due to corrosion and fatigue, the wheels on certain model year 2010- 2011 International LoneStar vehicles, manufactured from Jan. 29, 2009, through Feb. 21, 2011, and equipped with the Har- ley Davidson option package with feature codes 27DRV and 28DRV may crack. This can result in wheel separation from the vehicle. If this occurs, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. ■ Certain model year 2012 Altec Industries, Inc. Aerial Device vehicles built on a Navi- star TerraStar chassis may have an Altec- installed torsion bar that increases the ride height of the front suspension, which when the vehicle hits bumps, may cause the vehicle to alter its steering direction. As the vehicle hits bumps, it may deviate from the intended line of travel, increas- ing the risk of a crash. ■ The air tank mounting brackets on certain model year 2009-2012 Freightliner, Ster- ling and Western Star vehicles manufac- tured from July 7, 2008, through Dec. 15, 2011, and equipped with perpendicular air tank mounting brackets may develop cracks that can lead to the air tank brack- ets separating from the frame rail. The air tanks also may separate from the vehicle. Air tanks that become separated from a moving vehicle may create a road debris hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. ■ hours later, corrosion was visible in the pool formed below the wire outside the cup. Th is is why Phillips says it is important to maintain your customers' vehicles and take all preventive measures you can to keep corrosion out. Th is will help ensure the electrical system lasts longer. In general, the best thing you can do is to make sure all open connections are resealed properly. ■ 8 TRUCK PARTS & SERVICE | October 2012