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Feds to probe cause of runaway Prius in California

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by PRIUS007, Mar 9, 2010.

  1. robbyr2

    robbyr2 New Member

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    According to his own email reply to one of our members, he wants a new car from Toyota.
     
  2. Hytec

    Hytec New Member

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    There was a brief news item yesterday that indicated Sykes had filed for bankruptcy in 2008, and that he currently is in debt over $700,000. Is it possible that the odds of a settlement with Toyota appeared better than a PowerBall jackpot?????

    BTW, it seems that Toyota engineers are finding the same type of inconsistant evidence with the Prius that was a "runaway" in New York a short while back.
     
  3. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    They just finished reading the EDR data from the crashed Prius in Westchester today: Toyota, government probers take on N.Y. Prius crash - Drive On: A conversation about the cars and trucks we drive - USATODAY.com

    According to Toyota spokesman Wade Hoyt, the EDR data will reveal engine speed and pedal position. I'll bet it will show that the woman had stomped on the gas pedal rather than the brakes. :p
     
  4. carz89

    carz89 I study nuclear science...

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    I can see it now ... Mr. Sikes is never charged with a crime, despite overwhelming evidence of foul play. Weeks later, when the dust has settled, his publisher leaks the forthcoming book "The Runaway Prius Hoax: If I did it, here's how it happened". In it are numerous facts, observations and conclusions quoted from PriusChat contributors.

    ;)
     
  5. Optimus

    Optimus Member

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    Was Sikes by chance wearing gloves? If it don't fit, you must acquit!

    I can see his new book title: 101 Ways to "Sike" the Whole World.

    Or maybe: How to Win Friends and Sike People
     
  6. robbyr2

    robbyr2 New Member

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    As long as we get credit...
     
  7. deh2k

    deh2k New Member

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  8. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    shocked....not.
     
  9. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    Thanks. If that is in fact the case, then the high number of brake and gas applications seem acceptable. I may have read that the recorders are short duration but not sure in which case, such high numbers may not be physically realistic.
     
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Correct. The EDR is limited to just a few seconds. On the other hand, the ECUs contain diagnostic codes and counters that can accumulate data over extended periods. Some of the ECU codes clear after a few starts, some have to be manually cleared with a scanner. It all depends on which code and what data.

    Tom
     
  11. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

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    With today's technology the EDR should store information longer than just a few seconds. At any rate, those final seconds seem to have vindicated Toyota in many of these recent incidents. Why don't people accept responsibility for their actions? How stupid are they to think that their assertions will be taken at face value? Maybe this is the last of it because now people will think twice before pointing fingers especially due to the high level of scrutiny now.
     
  12. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    Again, thanks for the interesting info. Now the question to ask then is how long is the brake and gas pedal actuation recorded as Toyota indicated about 250 pedal activations. Hardly possible over a few seconds or minutes perhaps by manual leg pressing but realistic over a much longer time period.
     
  13. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    None of us know for sure. Toyota indicated that the 250 activations were for the previous period of operation. Saying that differently, the ECU maintains the count from the last power-on/power-off cycle.

    Tom
     
  14. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    If that is the case, why did they bother to report that? To me it read like the driver pumped his gas and brakes which wore down the pads, not his high speed braking, implying something totally different.:eek:
     
  15. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    That is the implication. During the drive in question, the driver operated the brakes *and* gas at the same time for at least 250 applications. Most people would infer that this was from a deliberate attempt to burn the brakes.

    Tom
     
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  16. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

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    Now both sides have their stories....what's the latest development of this case (if any)?
     
  17. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Wait for the final report from NTHSA.
     
  18. jelloslug

    jelloslug It buffed right out!

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    Since this Sykes guy is the cause for the current value drops can we not start a class action lawsuit for him causing the values to drop form is shenanigans (not like he has any money though)?
     
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Yes, Prius owners should get together and hire a lawyer to sue this guy.
     
  20. ggcc

    ggcc Member

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    You mean under the water? :mod: