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Comments
I wonder what awaits the gas pedal shim fix!
“Unfortunately, this document is very telling,” Olivia Alair, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Department, said in a statement. “We’re going to hold Toyota’s feet to the fire and make sure they do what’s necessary.”
If that attorney's documents are the real deal it can only get worse...I agree that Lexus was "shielded" and will soon be "in the news"
On the other side, I would bet there are many internal docs that the other car companies do not want the public to see!
Who even knows how many people that weren't counted, that complained about UA, braking issues, etc, that Toyota or their dealers dismissed out of hand?
BTW...In case you have not seen it...there is also a federal Grand Jury investigating them now and requesting Documents,(as you foretasted)
I wonder what was the last time any congressman from farther than Pennsylvania drove to DC for a session? Even Murtha had his own subsidized jet airport.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN2220228420100222?rpc=44
There are probably BIG bombs in those documents
And how many posts here say something like this:
"I owned four 1980s Toyotas and they had no problems, so I know for sure that all the current issues with Toyotas are ______". :shades:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/toyota-recall-electronic-design-flaw-linked-toyota- -runaway-acceleration-problems/story?id=9909319
I have purchased both after market and Honda HO2 sensors. The Honda HO2 Sensor did not meet Honda’s own spec coming from the box. When I showed this to the person at the parts/service desk, I was told “we just install the parts the computer tells us is bad.” I use to speak very highly about Honda but not any more. Also I own a Honda ATV, there is a recall on the Tie Rod for it. I took it to the dealer to have them replaced, 450 miles total miles on this ATV, the left side needs replacing again.
:mad:
The hearings this week should get extremely interesting. I think Toyota is in deep trouble, and may finally have to "fess up" to a real and very costly problem.
Since this professor was able to induce problem with electronics in lab - could be real possible big problems. Also states he could not induce problem with other auto manufacturers cars - forget which one.
Biggest question is how this will be presented at congressional investigation hearing tomorrow? What will Toyota even say at hearing since they now have federal supoena into possible federal criminal charges?? SEC investigation too??
Gosh - I was really pulling for Toyota, but when I heard they hired Exponent - go oh no. Knowing Exponent's total disregard for real human health risk exposures from corporate toxic pollution - I was just shocked & so disappointed Toyota was using Exponent. I live in California so their inolvement with PGE pollution of chromium into environment causing very high cancer statistics, deaths, congenital defects, miscarriages, etc. is remembered well.
I just ask what is going on??? Toyota announced they were installing brake override on all models by 2011 - announcement made November 25, 2009. This was before pedal fix recall. Somehow this can appear they knew they had problem? Brake override would negate any incidents UA.
Saw Toyota has extra lobbyist working hard in Washington now. How much will politics and political money come to play into this investigation??
All I know is the video demonstration showing ABC newsman driving Toyota vehicle in a lab induced UA incident was indeed scarey. Brakes did not work newsman said. Professor said felt situation dangerous.
Maybe it will, and maybe it won't. I am leaning toward two of our engineers with a lot more experience than I have. If the sensors that Dr. Gilbert shorted together to cause UA are not showing up in the diagnostics. Would the brake over-ride feature see them and be able to negate their hold on the WOT? I think it is up to Toyota to make a failsafe DBW system. What really has me upset is the fact that so many people have had these anomalies and when they tell the Toyota dealer they basically call them liars because their diagnostics say everything is Hunky Dory. Now we KNOW that faults can occur that do not leave any trail for the technician to follow. That kind of takes the dealers off the hook and tosses it right back at the Toyota engineers.
If I was the NHTSA I would shut Toyota down until they can prove their DBW systems are safe for our highways. If the NHTSA has lost all their talent to Toyota, hire some non partisan University to do the testing. It is obvious there is talent out there capable of finding the electronic problems that Toyota seems clueless to find or are hiding them.
What is really going on?
As minimal and cheap as the computer seems to be based on its not sensing that the two pedal sensors are shorted together, I wouldn't trust toyota to come up with a computer-controlled brake override. It needs to be a system separate from their main computer that can't record anything.
The chickens are coming home to roost:
Back in 2002-2003 I started commenting about minimalization of parts for the mass-marketed Camry and Accord. I think SIU by following logic to determine where the sensor problems might be ignored by the minimal computer, has found the door to the chicken house.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Fred
link
1:45pm UK, Tuesday February 23, 2010
Toyota has challenged US broadcaster ABC to let it see a vehicle used in a news report that appeared to replicate a sudden acceleration fault.
In the damning report, Dr Dave Gilbert, a professor in car technology, induces a short circuit in a Toyota Avalon.
It generates a sudden boost of power and gives the driver the sensation that the brakes do not work - but after the car has stopped, no error codes are reported by the onboard computer.
"I am dead serious about this. This is something that should not happen," Dr Gilbert tells reporter Brian Ross.
Responding to the report, Toyota said it had spoken to the professor about his concerns - but that these had featured a different vehicle and a different problem - which would "not cause unintended acceleration".
"Toyota was surprised to learn that Mr. Gilbert appears now to be making a different claim regarding the electronic throttle control system and in a vehicle other than as described to Toyota last week," the carmaker said.
Just maybe Dr. Gilbert did not make all his evidence known to Toyota before they were aired on ABC. As an exclusive the the Network that is willing to tell the truth even when it has cost them advertising money. Just how far will Toyota go to stop negative evidence. We know they have hired a hack outfit for damage control.
Awww, how nice of them.
Just maybe Dr. Gilbert did not make all his evidence known to Toyota before they were aired on ABC.
___________________
Oh no, something smells fishy and it's not Toyota. That's why research is normally reviewed, published and then others try the same thing to see if the results can be duplicated. None of this letsgetitontv or youtube and maybe Congress will buy us a free lunch.
John
You mean like the two week window Toyota gave Exponent to disprove there are electronic issues with SUA? I am sure Dr. Gilbert and the Avalon in question will be scrutinized by many people over the next few weeks. This is no little smoking gun. If it can be proved that two sensors shorted together will cause UA with no error code. Toyota has a lot to explain. I would not let them off the hook with their flaky EDR either. But then, I am more concerned in finding the truth than defending Toyota. To me the customers have been maligned by Toyota and their dealers. Time for Toyota to pay the piper.
I have a good friend in Louisiana who has had two Corollas and when he goes to buy his next car, Toyota will not be on his short list.
Just how often would it be expected for the two sensors to get shorted together...??
I think this is good news really. Toyota needs to get open and upfront with its customers. When Ford had the issue with the tires and flipping Explorers, Bill Ford stepped up and said regardless of the finger pointing, Ford sold the vehicles and will replace the tires. I'm hoping Mr. Toyoda does the same. Fix the computer glitch and develop a failsafe way for brake override. In the long term this will help Toyota actually. Customers will regain trust in the company and lawyers will run into obstacles suing them down the road after implementation. Personally, we owned one of the affected Explorers. Initially we were pretty upset with Ford. But after Bill Ford and Nasser stepped up regardless of Firestone culpability we felt better about the company and have continued buying their products (but not Firestone who seemed to just wanted to blame Ford). We own a Camry and have had previous Toyota's. Ultimately, the way Toyota handles this will affect our decision on buying another in the future as well. In the long run, company "actions" have more impact on consumers than the media. Media is more of a short term affect.
Just how often would it be expected for the two sensors to get shorted together...?? "
Once in a lifetime is the answer.
The objective of the test, shown on ABC, was to proof that system can be fooled into WOT acceleration and there will be no error recorded by the system.
If it was done properly ECU was fed garbage and instead of going into limp home mode it went Wide Open Throttle.
If this is true any embeded system software enginner will see it as faulty design. PC applications may behave 'garbage in garbage out' but not real time applications that control anything. 'Garbage in' must be detected and operator must be notified and 'limp home mode' activated if garbage in persists. This is why OBD2 flags O2 sensor failures. Readings are out of spec and operator is notified.
Krzys
Actually, I feel sorry for Lentz. It's clear that all recalls are decided upon by Japan. And, that Lentz is pretty much kept out of the recall and engineering loop. Toyota is being secretive even with their U.S. President, their largest market. That is, if Lentz is to be believed.
All of Lentz's "I don't knows" are going to be followed by Mr Toyoda's "I don't understand" through his interpreter.
I'll make a prediction here. Congress is going to recommend the highest fine ever levied on a car manufacturer. They're going to require Toyota to install brake over ride systems on all Toyotas and Lexi from at least 2004 (maybe all the way back to 2001-2002). And, they're going to require a 3rd party oversight group to be employed in the U.S., paid for by Toyota, but answerable to the NHTSA.
No doubt one could accomplish this after probing the schematics of any modern car. Whatever, the most important recall activity is the one that upgrades firmware to include brake override. Audi's SUA issues disappeared after doing this and so will Toyota's IMO.
I have just talked to my Toyota service manager, and he says that "no computer reflashes are being done as part of the current pedal recall" for my Avalon, and he is only doing pedal shims at this time. I don't know what happened to the pedal reshaping.
So the test proves ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
The WOT result was due to forcing both sensor outputs to indicate the gas pedal was fully depressed.
Strange...
Fault code P2138: Detection that the two sensor outputs are shorted together requires that the two sensor output voltages be within 0.02 Volts ( 20 millivolts..??)or less for 2 seconds or more. Given that the nominal voltage separation is 0.80 volts it seems to me that 0.20 volts would have been a much more reasonable fault voltage.
In any case I would agree that the engine control ECU SHOULD NOT have accepted a WOT command with both sensors at equal voltage, not even artificially forced equal voltage as was done.
Leaves me speechless....
Of course al depends on the dealer's workload! :sick:
One solution...Avoid wondering aimlessly.
Its the consumer...
Its the supplier...
Its the floor mats...
Its the pedals...
Its Toyota? No, cannot be Toyota :shades:
there are other forums on edmunds specifically about problems with Honda and their brake problems; that is where his posts should have been not here!
(1)Apologies once again.
(2)Made statement all engineering issues, recalls, etc. decisions made in Japan. Will be sort of a swat team set up for complaints. Also will be a special US sort of QA type group to be established.
(3)Background is more business & marketing. Lentz oversees marketing in US.
(4)Today now states recalls will not take care of all issues SUA & UA - seems to be using two different descriptions - And must remember
Toyota got NHTSA to ignore/discard/eliminate from consideration SUA (high speed out of control complaints) in past which probably affected the future way Toyota problems looked at. Wow totally different from past statement - and video shown at today's hearing - him making those statements saying fixes would take care of the SUA/UA issues. Big contradiction! Statements made on their Website newsroom press releases contradict today's statement as well .
(5)States could be other problems, etc. that cause UA/SUA
(6)But at same time he says confident of electronics????? Toyota will always test??? Wow but they didn't until just recently when htey hired Exponent
(7)Mentioned brake override to be implemented most autos by 2011 or end of 2010. Stated just for additional safety only. Confident of electronics.
(8)Could not answer many questions regarding electronics.
(9)Admitted no prior tests done on electronics - none were provided to congress for investigation except for Exponent who they just hired. Congress had asked. Tests were only very basic engineering tests done on only small sample of models. NOTE Toyota claimed publicly tests were done in past public announcements made and has said no problem found - electronics fine. Well no other past tests were done or were just not given to Congress, not sent to congress Lentz now admits today. Just Exponents???? Congress tore report apart!!! Said of no value at all. Faulty. Lentz claims they will do more tests in future??? Wow they have been investigating since August when San Diego accident occurred and all the heat was turned up.
(10)Could not answer why they never took the accident/UA/SUA incident cars to run full engineering tests on. Find out why? One congressman said if he were CEO of Toyota that would have been his first approach. He said he would have gone to get the problem cars! Toyota did not do.
(12)Talked about going forward all the time. Lots of apologies. And found him walking around quite a few of the questions. Avoiding a direct answer.
(13)Had no good answer when asked - why brake override needed if no electronic problem? Just said system would be additional safety measure. Don't forget brake override announced on November 25, 2009 & before recall pedal fix. Congressman said makes people feel there is problem with electronics. Knows brake override will take care of any electronic problems.
(14) Asked about Professor Dave Gilbert findings - he could in laboratory setting induce Toyota into SUA event - not recorded as error in system as error - nor would failsafe modes then be activated as a result..Said last night finally at about midnight hired Exponent was able to duplicate Gilbert's findings. He was gentle on what he thought, but left impression Toyota would have Exponent fight Gilbert's findings. Knowing Exponent's past history of being involved in producing & publishing a fradulant scientific study in California for PGE -(proven by some dedicated scientists I think- forget who proved- let's just say they could have cared less about chromium causing cancer and death - just went out to contradict good valid past scientific research - was big blowup & yes all for money.). Exponent is excellent defense group - just how they defend their clinets I feel is questionable??? My feelings seem to be they did it once, and now I question all of their defense studies/reports. As a prominant UCSF medical school doctor politely said - Exponent is not what he would consider as a neutral group when evaluating any of their reports/etc..
(15) Avoided questions about how much Toyota was paying Exponent for their work??? Mention of $1,000,000 or more. ?? This came about because Sean Kane had paid Gilbert to help finish his work. But Biggest factor is Gilbert started project all on his own, had just bought a Toyota pickup. When he found out something, he called NHTSA, Toyota, and Kane. Kane at Safety Research and Strategy was only one who responded immediately. Kane only paid Gilbert $1800 plus $150 per hour - all approved by University of Illinois. NHTSA only sent email. Only was able to talk with Toyota one week ago. Kane just arranged all quite recently too. One other legislator had accused Kane of manipulating the facts for money. I personally go - h-mmm. Well so is Toyota paying Exponent. One other congressman said Exponent is more of a defense type group - asked why they used Exponent?? Of course no direct answer. Think I believe Gilbert over Exponent knowing their past history. Can't fool me with Exponent's reports!!!!!! Not after what they were involved in in past..
That is all for tonight. More to report but tired. Lastly - want to say personally I was not impressed with Lentz's answers or testimony. Seems like Toyota did drag all out & today seemed to indicate this even more. Even news stations are asking all the electronic questions too?? And Toyota never even addressed engineering tests until just very recently???? Only produced basic tests, which publicly they tried to claim in newspapers recently - no electronic problems found. Congress tore report apart!
Darn I was really hoping Toyota would have done better today. But just my personal opinion. Still would love having brake override flashed into my RAV4, but sort of doubt it will be available for me to buy flash.
Go check out CNN for tomorrow's hearing. They have it live.
NOTE-
And 70% of Toyota complaints are still not addressed by recalls per congress today!!!! Mentioned multiple times!!! And no real answer/solution/finding/approach by Toyota? Just Lentz saying would continue working on
Today? That has happened everyday, for the past several weeks, months, and years on this issue.
Toyota - Moving Forward With An Ever Changing Excuse
I mean really, come on already LMAO!