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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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#61 | ||
Wait? What?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Tassie
Posts: 1,017
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A year or two ago a driver in tas thought turning the engine off while coasting downhill to save fuel would be a good idea. The steering locked and they were all killed. Darwin award nominee maybe but it might not be a great idea to allow you to turn the ignition off whilst driving.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11271134 |
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#62 | |||
FG XR6T trayback
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: N-W NSW
Posts: 1,308
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Quote:
Brakes and MUCH more powerful an the engine, as someone else said. I think he just panicked and wasn't calm enough. Lucky he didn't kill someone. He may be trying to be a late entry in the 2009 Darwin Awards. |
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#63 | ||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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That guy put it on 'off'. Your steering doesn't lock if you leave it on 'acc'.
Seriously though, is there any car out there that won't let you move the key at all when you're driving? I think that's b/s. What if you stall at speed - can you not restart the car?
__________________
Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#64 | |||
Petro-sexual
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,527
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Quote:
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#65 | ||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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Doesn't the cruise system on the Explorers have a separate on/off switch like Falcons do? Wouldn't simply turning it 'off' work or not if the module had failed?
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Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#66 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,876
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Quote:
In most cases as soon as the throttle is stuck open, people dont automatically jump on the brakes on a busy highway, what they do is ride the brakes to stop the speed increasing whilst their brain computes what is actually happening, then they would start to diagnose how to overcome it. They could turn the cruise on and off, check the accelearator pedal is not stuck, put the car into neutral, turn the car off - all the while they have been riding the brakes at high speed which then causes them to overheat, they then probably start pumping the brakes, but they have lost vaccuum asist due to the heat and the throttle being open. So at this stage you have lost the brakes. You then have to wait until the brakes are cooled and vacuum pressure is returned. I cant believe Ford AU stated they were not aware of this happening before, there has been countless instances of Explorers getting into situations like this overseas. |
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#67 | ||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Can you actually shift the trans into neutral while the car is travelling (at speed) or is there a lockout feature??
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica ![]() Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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#68 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,876
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Quote:
I believe most cars have a lockout over a certain RPM. I remember Ford advertising the feature to rental car companies when the AU was released. If the guy had no brakes and couldnt shift into neutral, he was quickly running out of options. |
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#69 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 699
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Quote:
When I get home I am going to see if there is a fuel pump relay fuse within arms distance. In the same situation, if the brakes didn't stop the Mini (they should though) that would be my only hope apart from ramming it into something hard, but at 100km/h?
__________________
93 NC2 Fairlane Ghia Sportsman. Standard Tickford 162kw engine and touring suspension, factory LTD trim option plus EF Ghia wheels. Other rides: Range Rover Sport, Mini Cooper Chilli Cabrio |
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#70 | ||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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I could turn my engine off or put the transmission in neutral at freeway speeds in my 2004 BA. Surely an older Explorer wouldn't have lockouts?
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Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#71 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Quote:
It took me all of a minute to consider 1 the auto locks out neutral when the vehicle is moving 2 the keys cant be switched off or removed whilst vehicle is in gear 3 the brakes would have boiled from prolonged attempts to slow below 100 4 Ford handbrakes are crap Just as likely, yet no explorer owner has offered any insight into these possibilities. As for the blokes intelligence, just another example of why not all drivers are as sharp as us enthusiasts. |
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#72 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South Australia
Posts: 2,149
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IMO if the ignition is locked in gear then there should be a kill switch
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2015 Toyota Landcruiser 79 V8 SC |
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#73 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northern Adelaide
Posts: 981
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With the transmission lockout...would have thought the opposite would be the way to do it: Shifting the transmission to Neutral disengages cruise control...
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#74 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,876
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Quote:
The cruise control fails, he then rides the brakes why he figures out what the hell is happening, he then tries all sorts of solutions. By the time he realises he cant fix the problem he has been riding the brakes at high speed for a while so he has overheated the brakes and with the throttle open maybe lost vaccum pressure rendering them useless He then tries to put the car in neutral, but some cars dont let you go into neutral over certain RPM (a feature to prevent engine damge) He then tries turning off the car, but some cars dont let you turn off the ignition over a certain speed or not in Park(a safety feature so you dont lose power steering and brakes) He is then screwed. Am I the only one who dosnt think this guy is necessarily an idiot? This situation could happen to a lot of people. |
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#75 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Quote:
My moneys on a failed cruise module rendering all inputs useless regardless of his intellect. What surprises me is that if this guy killed someone and the know it alls speculated on his ability to drive they'd be reprimanded by the Forum gods, yet this guy has been slandered without any facts and its allowed to continue. |
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#76 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,654
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Quote:
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335 S/C GT: The new KING of Australian made performance cars.. ![]() |
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#77 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Quote:
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#78 | ||||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Manly
Posts: 133
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Quote:
This has nothing to do with the badge the car is wearing. Oh, look, good timing; Quote:
It's caused by the accelerator pedal getting stuck on the floor mat and the reason why that idiot killed his family is because he floored his rental Lexus to overtake and then didn't have the presence of mind to switch the car off, engage neutral, or unstick the accelerator pedal. The problem was made worse because his car had a remote ignition key and start button and he was unable to locate the 'off' button in his panic. He also did lots of slow braking which cooked his brakes, rather than one large attempt to stop. He was a CHIP and he responded very badly under pressure. It's horrible his family died and it's good news that this Explorer didn't harm anyone, but in both cases some calm rational thought would have prevented any incident at all. Don't believe me? Just look at all the posts in this thread about people taking a split second to engage neutral or switch off the ignition when their throttle has stuck open or cruise control will not engage. A split second. |
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#79 | |||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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Quote:
I suppose we believe that this car was Herbie's young cousin? ![]()
__________________
Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#80 | |||
spoolin!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: on Boost!
Posts: 1,620
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Quote:
__________________
Current Ride - 2016 FG-X Falcon XR6 Turbo Manual. Smoke Grey Previous Rides - 2014 Black Mica PX XLT Ranger Dual Cab 3.2 Diesel 2011 FPV GS 315 Sedan. Sunburst, manual, fully optioned. Build #165. My 1955 Ford Thunderbird Project (A tribute to my late mother) - 1955 Thunderbird Build Thread
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#81 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Kerang VIC
Posts: 1,212
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Quote:
But in all seriousness, although it seems unlikely for this event to be entirely attributed to the car as opposed to an interplay between user and failure of vehicle systems, there has been a long string of issues with the Exploder. Can't comment on the recent models, but the initial series had many issues. I remember my parents having to take ours ('96?) into the Ford delaership on a couple of occasions as a result of recall notices. |
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#82 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 665
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Quote:
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#83 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Canberra
Posts: 119
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Just having a think about this ......
He did manage to stop the car with brakes after his "run of near death", so lets assume that they were actually working when the problem began. I would find it very hard to believe that they were not working and then when confonted with peril they magically worked all of a sudden! Come on .... lets be serious. If I was in a run away car, and while I am not a gumby driver, I am not a F1 race driver either, I reckon I could figure something out to pull it up, even if it involved blowing the motor in the process. As far as the brakes not working. I had an XE that the vacuum hose came off once, and it was like trying to stop a tractor with the bottom of your boots. Was only the (Ford) handbrake locking the back wheels that bought it to a stop rather than the car in front at the lights! The part about the pedal being heavy I can accept as I have experienced it, however the whole "No Brakes" thing until the end is a bit hard to swallow! Cheers
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Sold my WRX STI to get a fast car! |
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#84 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,013
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i dont know what happened but you have to give him credit that he didn't wipe himself or someone else out. i mean when was the last time you could do 80km/h non stop in melbourne?
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#85 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,876
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Quote:
Yep, I dont suppose anyone wants to buy a lightly used Ford Explorer off me? great condition, only used for highway driving (and the occasional median strip), just slight problem with the cruise control. |
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#86 | |||
3 Pedals R Better Than 2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 5,241
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Quote:
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#87 | ||
3 Pedals R Better Than 2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 5,241
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Is the rear park brake system on these separate to the normal brakes? ie: internal drum park brake vs rear discs?
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#88 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Canberra
Posts: 119
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Hey what about that Police EMP disable your car thing?
Couldn't they just have shot that at him, or taken out the tyres or something. No Exploder I know can go to far with rubber flapping around all over the place!
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Sold my WRX STI to get a fast car! |
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#89 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Reading the updated story, Ford have admitted that there has been a recall due to sticking cruise control.
The cause being a fault with the brake switch causing fire in the underdash wiring looms. Although they wont say the two are linked, go figure. The story says he mounted a divider(possibly washing off speed) before the police told him to use both brakes as a last resort which worked to stop the vehicle. The guy is only 22yo. With his experience i can fully understand how his emotion took control and he panicked. Surely you guys dont expect driving instructors to teach learners how to handle these once in a blue moon incidents. |
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#90 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 699
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Quote:
The media articles state that all the mentioned options were suggested by the Police, and tried by the guy to no avail. Technically it was possible that the Explorer had built in mechanisms to prevent engine damage in non-emergency situations. Until we know for sure whether the Explorer auto has engine protection shift locks, no one knows if these options mentioned were actually available. The transmission in our NC's, BA's, AU's, Fiesta's, Mini's, Subies, Lexus at al are all different. I am loathe to flame the guy, who didn't kill or injure anyone, and who didn't create swathes of destruction like some drunk drivers do, until we know the facts.
__________________
93 NC2 Fairlane Ghia Sportsman. Standard Tickford 162kw engine and touring suspension, factory LTD trim option plus EF Ghia wheels. Other rides: Range Rover Sport, Mini Cooper Chilli Cabrio |
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