R22BW(NSB) – Incorrect Starter Interlock Settings – 2023 Blue Bird Vision Transit Bus

May 13, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V330000

Incorrect Starter Interlock Settings/FMVSS 102

A bus that is started in reverse or drive may result in unintended vehicle movement, and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V330

Manufacturer Blue Bird Body Company

Components POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 1

 

Summary

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling one 2023 Vision transit bus equipped with an Allison transmission. The starter interlock settings in the vehicle software are incorrect, allowing the engine to crank while the T-handle gear shifter is in Reverse or Drive. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, “Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect.”

 

Remedy

Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 30, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird’s customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird’s number for this recall is R22BW(NSB).

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 


R22BW: FMVSS 102 Noncompliance, BBCV Starter Interlock with Allison Transmission

Models Affected:  Certain 2023 Model Year Blue Bird Vision Buses Built With New Electrical Architecture (NEA), CumminseBay logo Engine, Allison Transmission, Without Shifter Park Position 

Issue: On identified buses the engine will start without the transmission shifter in the neutral position. 

Corrective Action: The Blue Bird A Zone Multiplex Module must be re-flashed with software, available on the Blue Bird Vantage Unit Dashboard Website.

Multiplex Module (Blue Bird Part # 10059122) Shown Below, As Reference Only

 

Items Needed:

Item NumberQuantity Description
11AmeFlash Tool Software (Available on Blue Bird Vantage, Ametek Software Website)
21A Zone Multiplex Module Software (Available on Blue Bird Vantage, Unit Dashboard Website)
31Laptop Computer (Windows Operating System)
41RP1210 Communication Adapter Supported by the AmeFlash Tool Software (Dearborn DPA-5 USB Recommended)
51Blue Bird Bench Program Harness #10074768. Optional: Only Required if Programming Multiplex Module on Workbench
6112V Regulated Power Supply. Optional: Only Required if Programming Multiplex Module on Workbench

 

AmeFlash Tool Software and the A Zone Multiplex Module Software are both available on the Blue Bird Vantage Website (login required)  See Page 2 and 3 for Vantage Website illustrations depicting software locations  Click here to go to Vantage now: Blue Bird Vantage | Portal

 

WARNING:  Always follow all Federal, State, Local, and Shop safety standards and use proper safety equipment. Thoroughly read and understand all instructions before performing these procedures. Park bus on level surface, apply parking brake, turn off ignition key, and chock wheels.

 

Instructions for Updating A Zone Multiplex Module Software On the Bus  

 

Download and install the AmeFlash Tool Software on your laptop

On Vantage navigate to the AmetekSoftware page, Click the “AmeFlash Tool Software” link shown below to download and install onto your laptop:

For instructions on how to install and use the AmeFlash Tool Software, Click the “Ametek Software Update Instructions” link shown below:

 

Download and   save VEPS “SIMULINK Software file on your laptop to install in the A Zone Multiplex Module

On Vantage navigate to the  VantageUnit Dashboard and enter the body number of the bus being repaired.

From Unit Dashboard of the bus being repaired, Click “Service” tab, “VEPS” tab, A-Zone “.ver” tab, and then “Download” tab. Download and save the VEPS “SIMULINK” software file to install in the A Zone Multiplex Module. (Example shown below):

 

Connecting RP1210 Communication Device Cables and Communicating With Ametek Devices Using AmeFlash Tool Software on your laptop

Connect Dearborn DPA-5 or supported RP1210 communication adapter to the laptop using the USB connection and then connect to the J1939 diagnostic port of the bus.

Based on engine model the J1939 diagnostic port will be located underneath the steering column (lower left or right) or underneath right-hand switch panel (far right side). With AmeFlash Tool software open, RP1210 communication device cables, or bench programming harnesses connected, turn the bus ignition key ON, (Or 12 Volt Power Supply) and then Click “Find Devices” button (lower left). You will see a “Search Progress” screen appear and then disappear, when finished. At the next screen you may note several Ametek devices listed, (devices listed are based on what devices are connected to the J1939 data link). To load a software file into any Ametek device you must first select that device by clicking the line with the proper source address “SA” and then you will notice more selections appear. For this recall repair you will select the source address “PMM SA: 0x21”  (A-Zone Multiplex Module – located on Chassis; inside above transmission cover).

 

For “PMM” (Multiplex Module) “SIMULINK” or “VEPS” Software Loading:

a) To load the VEPS “SIMULINK” software into the A Zone “PMM”, go to the “SA: 0x21” and highlight that specific line item.

b) To the right, make sure the “APP” section does NOT have a file mapped, if it does close it by Clicking the “X” in the mapping window.

c) To the right, you will notice a “SIMULINK” section with the word “SELECT” to the far right of that line.

d) Click the “SELECT” button and it will let you select a location of the file you downloaded on the Vantage Unit Dashboard (A Zone Module “SIMULINK” files are Body Number Specific).

e) Once you have the “SIMULINK” file mapped, turn the ignition switch to the “on” position (engine not running) and Click the “FLASH” button to load the “SIMULINK” software. Wait until 100% complete.

f) Turn the ignition switch to the “off” position for approximately 10 seconds and close the Ametek AmeFlash Tool loader software.

Note:

When loading PMM “SIMULINK” files on the bus, it is recommended to first unplug the “E8” connector on all other PMM modules, except the PMM module being loaded. This is not requirement but can avoid software loading errors.

Example AmeFlash Tool A-Zone Multiplex Software “SIMULINK” Load Screen Shots:

 

Complete Functional Check to Verify Starter Engages “ONLY” When Transmission Shifter is in the Neutral Position:

Confirm Starter engages “ONLY” when the transmission shifter is in the “Neutral” position.

Contact your Blue Bird Field Service Representative, if you require assistance.

Instructions for Updating Multiplex Module Software On A Workbench

To update the A Zone Multiplex Module software version on a workbench, connect bench program harness #10074768 to Multiplex Module.

Connect black J1939 diagnostic port connector on bench program harness to a Dearborn DPA-5 or supported RP1210 communication adapter.

Then connect Dearborn DPA-5 or supported RP1210 communication adapter to the laptop using the USB connection.

Last connect bench program harness #10074768 to a 12V power supply. Turn 12V power supply on.

Note: All other instruction steps are the same, as listed above for updating the A Zone Multiplex Module software on the bus.

 

Example Workbench connections shown below:

 


Chronology :

On May 2, 2022, an issue was raised by the Blue Bird internal Production team about a BBCV unit with an Allison transmission that could be cranked while in a drive gear. The Blue Bird Engineering Team reviewed the affected unit and determined root cause to be incorrect starter interlock settings in the vehicle software. This issue was reviewed in Blue Bird’s Critical Issue Review Group (CIRG) and determined to not be in compliance with FMVSS 102, Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect. A Stop Ship was approved on May 9, 2022 to contain all units still remaining on Blue Bird’s property. There have been no reports from the field related to this issue.

 


1 Affected Product

Vehicle

MAKEMODELYEAR
BLUE BIRDVISION2023

 


17 Associated Documents

Recall 573 Report- 05/17/2022

RCLRPT-22V330-3986.PDF 215.676KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V330-8404.pdf 645.795KB

 


Noncompliance Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V330-2349.PDF 215.665KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-22V330-6788.pdf 598.636KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-22V330-1217.pdf 878.246KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V330-8025.pdf 831.044KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2023-1

RCLQRT-22V330-8651.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #5, 2023-2

RCLQRT-22V330-4263.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2022-3

RCLQRT-22V330-7599.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #6, 2023-3

RCLQRT-22V330-4812.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2022-4

RCLQRT-22V330-4514.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2022-2

RCLQRT-22V330-7444.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #9, 2024-2

RCLQRT-22V330-8705.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #8, 2024-1

RCLQRT-22V330-9554.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #7, 2023-4

RCLQRT-22V330-7591.PDF 211.797KB

 


Recall 573 Report- 09/12/2022

RCLRPT-22V330-4936.PDF 244.544KB

 


ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-22V330-4023.pdf 1926.329KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

 


 

Heavy Duty Truck Reprogramming

Description:

Designed for flexibility, the USB-Link 3 Wired Edition connects to your PC, tablet, or smartphone with a USB cable, allowing techs to directly connect to a device when working in the field or during signal interruptions.

Built to support the latest protocols (CAN FD, DoIP) and compatible with a wide range of OEM diagnostics software, the USB-Link 3 is our most advanced VCI to date, with the performance and technology you can rely on well into the future.

 

The USB-Link™ 3 comes with the following:

  • Latching USB Cable (PN 404032)
  • 9-Pin Deutsch Adapter, 1 Meter (PN 493128)
  • J1962 Adapter (16-Pin OBD II, 1 Meter (PN 491113)

The USB-Link™ 3: Wireless is also available (PN 121052).

 

Specifications
Vehicle Network Protocol Support
CAN FD / J1939 FD / ISO15765 FD - 250K, 500K, 1M b/s with auto baud detection
Single wire CAN (SWCAN)
ISO 11898-3 Fault Tolerant CAN (FTCAN)
Diagnostics Over Internet Protocol (DoIP)
J1708
J1850 VPW (Class 2)
ISO PWM (SCP)
ISO 9141 / KWP2000 (ISO 14230) K/L line
ALDL 9600 and 8192 baud
ATEC 160 baud

Windows® Vehicle Communication API
Windows® Vehicle Communication API
RP1210 a/b/c
J2534 (2004 draft)
J2534-1 partial implementation (commercial vehicle focused)

Operating System Compatibility
iOS
Android™
Windows® 10, 11

Interfaces to Computing Platforms
USB 2.0 (vehicle-to-PC connectivity)
Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR
Wi-Fi (dual band)

Compatible Software
Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link
CAT Electronic Technician (On-Highway only)
CumminseBay logo Insite
InternationaleBay logo - ServiceMAXX Fleet Pro
Hino eXplorer
VolvoeBay logo PTT
VCAD Elite MackeBay logo/VolvoeBay logo
V-MAC Service Tools
Allison DOC® For PC-Service Tool - Protocols Supported: J1939, J1708/J1587, and J1850
Allison DOC® For Fleets (1000/2000) - Protocols Supported: J1939, J1850
Allison DOC® For Fleets (3000/4000) - Protocols Supported: J1939, J1708/J1587
EatoneBay logo ServiceRanger
BendixeBay logo ACom
WABCO Toolbox
FreightlinereBay logo ServiceLink
InternationaleBay logo ABS
InternationaleBay logo DLB
InternationaleBay logo Intune
InternationaleBay logo IPC v2.02
PACCAReBay logo DAVIE4

 

121052

121054

 


Daimler Truck

DiagnosticLink Order Site:

DiagnosticLink Direct Link:

https://diagnosticlink.nexiq.com/DTNA/Default.aspx

 


 

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