My 1996 DAF FA45 130 prison transport bus has been standing a while & the cab tilt release cables and/or lever are seized. I've oiled, pulled cab down with straps,gently hammered them but they wont release. Cables are intact. Several mechanics have helpfully told me they do that but no real solutions. Cables are operated by twist lever on passenger side seat and release lever acessed through small access door lhs behind cab. Its a Marshall black mariah body. This is driving me mental cos I need access to the engine ...which is another story. Anyone out there got an answer? Thanks

Mariahman, September 2013

Hi I'm having exact same problem it's seized up .. can anyone do a step by step in laymens terms as female and have a horsebox daffa45 can will not tilt just put 3 cans of break cleaner and 2 cans of wd40 still won't shift ..I'm on face book Claire berry , from Warrington pic is me and my horse if you want to add alme and let me know how to do it

Claire berry, September 2024

Thanks for speedy reply norb. I'm going to bleed it properly as you suggest. There's only single wire to solenoid. I expect it ought to clickwhen ign is switched on. Ta for heads up on handbrake. Will post update soon as. B-)

Mariahman, September 2013

if it isn't starting it may well be the stop solenoid on the fuel injection pump,generally 2 wires on it..unscrew remove plunger and small spring ,put housing back on ,if it starts you will have to stall it to stop the engine but you will at least know the issue ..Also it may just need bleeding..if not bled correctly it may have started on what was already in the high pressure side ...Undo bolt on filter handprime till full flows with no air ...undo injector pipe at injectors .get an assistant to spin engine over while you watch for air free fuel from the pipes ,then tighten pipes 1 at a time starting at rearmost..as you tighten them it should start to cough and splutter in to life ...If vehicle has been parked up you will have to do the handbrake cables ..they seize ,very very common issue..Main reason the 45 would fail an MOT .

..I don't mind helping ,I just get pissed with some of the stupid questions people post ,which I ignore or am sarky with ...But you where fine lol

norb, September 2013

Thanks norb. I see you have been helpful to many on other issues and I appreciate your time and knowledge very much. I tried putting a shackle on the chassis and hooking that onto the cab with a spring compressor to take any pressure off the release mechanisms and tactfully thumped it. Then , after jamming both the cable release and hook release lever I opened both doors, put a strap round the whole cab at the door pillars and hooked it up to my jeep. Lo and behold with a little encouragement the cab majestically tipped forward! Now lubing it all up. So thanks again for advice on that one.... Having trouble starting it now. Just refitted a repaired fuel tank. Got clean lines & tank end filter & fuel at engine filter. It started fairly readily and ticked over but white smoke and choked off when accelerator pressed. Now it reluctant to go at all so recharging batteries and checking wiring. Got 4 gals in tank..going to put more in. Also checking other answers but if you got any suggestions I'm happy to hear them. Need to get it started and reliable cos its my ride out the apocalypse insurance policy with its stupendous Marshall body. Also prisoners now getting v thin and restless too.... :-P

Mariahman, September 2013

can you access and undo the rear cab mounts, lift the cab then sort the locks out..other method is get help to hold cab down then with a block of wood hit the lock mech in centre of the cab..locks seizing isn't a common fault as you have been told ,unless it isn't properly maintained

norb, September 2013