Here is a local event, where a Jeep Cherokee ran out of control while being parked. It pinned two guys up against a wall, then drug a third guy when he tried to get it in reverse. Ends up that a good friend has been taking spin classes ( stationary bicycle classes ) from the guy who lost his leg. Sad event for all. This happened just a few blocks from where I work. Has anyone seen this sudden acceleration problem with the Cherokees before?
I would have thought that high revs at the point of starting would be a clue to it possibly racing back, and one should always engage drive with the footbrake depressed..
Yep... that is a bit fishy. And I might have got in and tried to control it with the brake. But then we weren't there.
JimG
I also find it hard to believe someone could be that stupid. Putting a racing engine in gear makes no sense at all.
Mike
twaldr>
Evidently, in the heat of the moment, to free the pinned victims... they did what ever.
JimG
Possibly because the 75-year old driver floored it and caused the pedal to be jammed by some carpeting....
The article suggests that Johnson reached inside and started the vehicle.. so it would have to be in 'park' or neutral to do that.. at that point, I would imagine that if the throttle stuck wide open, it would be obvious.. it then says that he placed it in reverse, presumably with the engine racing.. does anybody else here get the impression that 'Johnson' was not actually sitting in the vehicle, but attempting to operate the controls from outside?.. I get the impression that somebody is trying to pin the blame on DC, and not the stupidity of those involved.. I fail to see how documented problems with '91-'95 Cherokees could have anything to do with a 2003 Grand Cherokee..
Is there no interlock that requires the brake pedal to be pressed to get it out of park? I am thinking that this ought to be a standard thing by now, especially after all that Audi problem of some time ago.....
You read closely. It says the idiot reached in and started it, then managed to get it into reverse, getting himself dragged.
All of this happened AFTER the 75 year old hit the wrong pedal, of course.
Since he "reached in and started it" then put it in reverse, it probably wasn't racing at the time. Even at idle, if you're standing outside a vehicle and reach in and put it in reverse, you're gonna get knocked down, knocked off balance and dragged, or be real good at running backwards. It's a stupid thing to do even when the engine isn't racing.
You're right, that's exactly what it sounds like.
Yeah, but that's the way things go now. There's no accountability for being stupid. Just file a lawsuit against the ones with the deep pockets, and you get paid for being an idiot and endangering other people because the company doesn't want the bad publicity.
Kinda makes you wonder what exactly was "documented." If there were proven defects, where are the recalls?
>
Exactly. I've seen accelerator pedals hang on the edge of the floor mat after being floored. There are several other possibilities also. Foot slipped off the brake and on to the accelerator, or hitting both pedals at the same time. If they realize it, it's not a big deal. If they panic and push harder, thinking they're on the brake, s*it hits the fan.
Last year an old guy killed a bunch of folks in California just this way.
I remember an instant where some old fella ran through the middle of a flea market bulldozing people everywhere. Don't remember what the result was....8-10 split? or strike... har har bad joke!
Macchiarolo"
My '94 Grand Cherokee has an interlock..
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