Ford finds no fault with explorer!

SVTVNM · 08-02-2010, 09:39 PM

Hope not a re-post
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/...rne-terror-car

Ford Australia says it has found nothing wrong with the four-wheel drive vehicle that was stuck in cruise control at 80km/h and took its driver on a terrifying drive for more than 50km.

Driver Chase Weir feared he was going to die when his 2002 Ford Explorer was stuck at high speed on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne last December for 54km as police frantically waved other vehicles out of his way.

Mr Weir, 22, says he still doesn't know why his vehicle failed to stop and nearly killed him.

Ford Australia has been examining the Melbourne man's Explorer for the past week and says there is nothing wrong with it, although more investigations are to be carried out.

"We received access to Chase's vehicle last week and have not found anything wrong with it," Ford spokesperson Sinead McAlary told AAP.

Police mechanical experts in the force's major collision unit were also unable to come up with a solution after examining the car.

Ford on Monday also announced an extension of its recall of a range of vehicles, including the 2002 Explorer, but denies any link to Mr Weir's incident.

Ms McAlary said Monday's recall advertisement was a separate issue and an extension of the largest ever global recall for faulty cruise control devices that Ford made more than two years ago.

The fault relates to potential leakage of brake fluid that can cause the car to overheat and burn even when turned off.

Mr Weir said he was still confused by the incident but speculated it may have been related to brake fluid or mechanical work performed on the car in Brisbane.

"Ford also told me you are supposed to get brake fluid checked and changed every two years but no one told me that and it was not done when it was serviced," he told AAP.

Ford recalled 4.5 million Explorers worldwide owing to the cruise control fault in October. The problem has led the company to recall more than 14 million vehicles in the past decade, its largest ever recall

Road_Warrior · 08-02-2010, 09:40 PM

Hahahaha

SMASH.

just_pazz · 08-02-2010, 09:44 PM

Yeah but he's the one laughing driving around in his new G6.

Got his ugly mug on TV again *puts on homosexual voice* "I won't give it back until they find out what's wrong with my car..... I don't want it back until they do"

or something there abouts.

sarrge2001 · 08-02-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

Mr Weir said he was still confused by the incident but speculated it may have been related to a defective part of his brain controlling being able to perform more than one simple task at a time.

Fixed

Brazen · 08-02-2010, 10:43 PM

pfft Ford couldnt even find a fault with my central locking, im not surprised they found no fault with the Explorer.

There has been numerous cases of runaway Ford Explorers in the UK, just Youtube it.

csv8 · 08-02-2010, 11:09 PM

Ford—Certain Ford F-Series, UN / UQ / US & UT Explorer and Econoline Vehicles—Speed Control System modification (Refer to Recall number 2008/10098 - 19/6/2008)
PRA number: 2010/11406
Date created: 5th February 2010
Product information
Product description
Ford F-Series, Ford Explorer and Ford Econoline.
Identifying features
Certain F-Series built 1993 to 2001, UN/UQ/US & UT Explorer built 1995 to 2002 and Econoline built 1998 to 2000.
Campaign number: SRCC363C
Target number: 6282
What are the hazards?
A leaking speed control deactivation switch could result in an underhood fire.
What are the defects?
In certain circumstances the underhood speed control deactivation switch mounted on the brake system may leak and brake fluid contamination in the electrical connector may cause the wiring to overheat, smoke or burn. This condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is being operated, even if the speed control is not in use.
Where the product was sold
National
Traders who sold this product
Includes vehicles sold in Australia by Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited and also includes vehicles that may have been privately imported into Australia (grey imports).
Supplier
Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited
What should consumers do?
Ford will write to owners of all affected vehicles at their last known address. For further information, contact any authorised Ford Dealer or Ford's Customer Relationship Centre on 1800 503 672.

Print

**kypez** · 09-02-2010, 12:01 AM

Whatever happened to putting the car into N to stop it going forward even if it gets stuck?! 54 kms? Couldnt he turn the car off and just let it roll to a stop on a straight stretch!?

Ridiculous.

barra265t · 09-02-2010, 12:03 AM

Hmm.. did they breath test the bloke after the incident? Wondering if the bloke used this as a smoke screen to get out of a speeding fine or drink driving charge and talking on the phone while driving

:

UNR8D · 09-02-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

pfft Ford couldnt even find a fault with my central locking, im not surprised they found no fault with the Explorer.

There has been numerous cases of runaway Ford Explorers in the UK, just Youtube it.

are you serious, not only did ford find nothing wrong with it, police crash investigation found NOTHING wrong with it, they guy is a perfect example of darwin awards not being effective enough.

Zoink · 09-02-2010, 10:27 AM

"Runaway Cars” Channel 4 (UK)
Worth a look if you have the time. 13 parts

http://www.youtube.com/user/SuddenAc...18/3eGTqKn_ihc

Wally · 09-02-2010, 11:07 AM

Well there was the Ford recall notice in the weekend paper for the Explorers, to fix the leaky brake fluid... not all that flash considering it's been a known problem for many years.

Then there's the acid test for this matter... would you pile your infants and grandma in this bloke's vehicle and take it for a road trip? Would your Grandma protest your intent if she was told about its history?

cosmo20btt · 09-02-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

Well there was the Ford recall notice in the weekend paper for the Explorers, to fix the leaky brake fluid... not all that flash considering it's been a known problem for many years.

Then there's the acid test for this matter... would you pile your infants and grandma in this bloke's vehicle and take it for a road trip? Would your Grandma protest your intent if she was told about its history?

The guy claims that he could not stop it, even if it had a faulty cruise control (which we now know that it doesn't because both the police and Ford could not fault it)unit, why did he not just turn the key off or as suggested drop into neutral, after all he had about thirty odd minutes to think about this. It seems more like a ploy to take a manufacturer to the cleaners because you need a new car, will be interesting to see if a law suite against Ford arises.

mik · 09-02-2010, 11:42 AM

we`ve been down this long road before i believe

sleep:.

Swordsman88 · 09-02-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

we`ve been down this long road before i believe

sleep:.

indeed....we have been down this long road at some pace with the 'cruise control stuck on' at that!....i'm over it. Nothing has been found wrong with the car, and the cruise recall on the model (dodgy or not) has nothing to do with this situation bar involving the same system.... Even if there was some connection to the problem (e.g. the brake pressure vavles that leak are therefore not working to deactivate the cruise) the brake pressure problem is a backup for the various means of electrical disconnection. not to mention neutral, turning off car, using brakes/handbrake etc. (which worked when he was told to do that). Its solved, he is a muppet, move on....

aussie muscle · 09-02-2010, 01:55 PM

maybe he forgot to lift his foot off the accelerator? like when homer simpson forgot to let go of the cans in the drink machine.

Quicksand · 09-02-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

pfft Ford couldnt even find a fault with my central locking, im not surprised they found no fault with the Explorer.

There has been numerous cases of runaway Ford Explorers in the UK, just Youtube it.

While i understand the sentiment, i think you will find this will be treated with more seriousness than pulling it into the nearest Ford Dealership and leaving an apprentice to look at it.

They would most likely have their best engineers giving this car the comb over. Incidents like this can make or break a company so they would take it very seriously. Ford doesn't need any more bad rep thats for sure.

Airmon · 09-02-2010, 06:59 PM

So first it was Fords fault, then the police and Ford found nothing wrong, so now it might be some mechanic in Brisbane's fault?
Who next?

vztrt · 09-02-2010, 07:13 PM

http://news.theage.com.au/drive/moto...0208-nn36.html

Quote:

No answers on Ford stuck in cruise control

GREG ROBERTS
February 8, 2010 - 6:49PM

AAP

Driver Chase Weir feared he was going to die when his 2002 Ford Explorer was stuck at high speed on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne last December for 54km as police frantically waved other vehicles out of his way.

Mr Weir, 22, says he still doesn't know why his vehicle failed to stop and nearly killed him.

Ford Australia has been examining the Melbourne man's Explorer for the past week and says there is nothing wrong with it, although more investigations are to be carried out.

"We received access to Chase's vehicle last week and have not found anything wrong with it," Ford spokesperson Sinead McAlary told AAP.

Police mechanical experts in the force's major collision unit were also unable to come up with a solution after examining the car.

Ford on Monday also announced an extension of its recall of a range of vehicles, including the 2002 Explorer, but denies any link to Mr Weir's incident.

Ms McAlary said Monday's recall advertisement was a separate issue and an extension of the largest-ever global recall for faulty cruise control devices that Ford made more than two years ago.

The fault relates to potential leakage of brake fluid that can cause the car to overheat and burn even when turned off.

Mr Weir said he was still confused by the incident but speculated it may have been related to brake fluid or mechanical work performed on the car in Brisbane.

"Ford also told me you are supposed to get brake fluid checked and changed every two years but no one told me that and it was not done when it was serviced," he told AAP.

Ford recalled 4.5 million Explorers worldwide owing to the cruise control fault in October. The problem has led the company to recall more than 14 million vehicles in the past decade, its largest-ever recall.

© 2010 AAP

vztrt · 09-02-2010, 07:15 PM

http://www.caradvice.com.au/56259/no...r-ford-police/

Quote:

Nothing wrong with runaway 2002 Ford Explorer: Ford, police

February 9, 2010 by Tim Beissmann

Ford Australia has found nothing wrong with the Ford Explorer that went on an uncontrolled high-speed dash along Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway last December.

The 22-year-old driver, Chase Weir, feared for his life when his 2002-model SUV reportedly became stuck on cruise control at 80km/h for more than 50km.

Ford spokeswoman, Sinead McAlary, said Ford has been examining Mr Weir’s Explorer for a week and has found no faults in it, with further investigations still to be carried out.

“We received access to Chase’s vehicle last week and have not found anything wrong with it,” she said.

Earlier investigations by police mechanical experts likewise found no explanation for the runaway incident.

Ms McAlary confirmed there is no connection between the investigation into Mr Weir’s car and a recall expansion issued last Friday.

Certain 1993 to 2001 F-Series trucks, 1995 to 2002 Explorers and 1998 to 2000 Econolines were recalled after a leaking speed control deactivation switch was identified as a possible fire hazard.

The official recall notice reads:

“In certain circumstances the underhood speed control deactivation switch mounted on the brake system may leak and brake fluid contamination in the electrical connector may cause the wiring to overheat, smoke or burn. This condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is being operated, even if the speed control is not in use.”

Ford says 6282 Australian vehicles are affected by the national recall and will write to all owners at their last known address.

(with AAP)

Pinch · 09-02-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

maybe he forgot to lift his foot off the accelerator? like when homer simpson forgot to let go of the cans in the drink machine.

Like!

crunchbunty · 14-02-2010, 12:14 AM

The guy is a tool. He shouldn't have a license. The wife was watching Oprah and there was some numbskull whose explorer cruise didn't switch off. She called her dad, who called the police, who cleared the freeway and drove in front of her and let her use the back of the copmobile as a brake.

The lady cried, Oprah cried, the audience cried and I just died a little inside.

It is just far too easy for people to get a license.

JC · 14-02-2010, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

we`ve been down this long road before i believe

sleep:.

Yep, we have!

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11284391

Every thing he claims to have that didn't work, I tested in my explorer (2004 vs his 2002 model, but essentially the same), and every single thing worked. He should have his license revoked for life. the only thing that might eventually kill him is actually waking up to himself!

Jim Goose · 14-02-2010, 11:58 AM

Did everyone cringe when they heard the 000 call??

"Oh My God im gonna die"......

PLEASE give this guy and award for the worst script writting in history!

Im almost dissappointed he didnt pop the bonnet and try to pull the ignition leads off!
(Me thinks he had watched a B grade movie called Runaway Car (?) from the 1980s, starring a young Judge Reingold (however you spell it). Truely awful movie)

Bucknaked · 14-02-2010, 12:07 PM

Some people have different stress levels to others are are not as equipped to deal with these situation's. So what if he believed he was going to die. If you believe that deeply that you were gonna die, would you just calmly sit back accept your fate? I doubt it. I also bet you also complain when you get a paper cut.

Anyway, what a surprise that ford couldn't find a problem. I had a brand new car with a gearbox problem from 300k's on the ODO. Ford couldn't find the problem for another 26,000 k's. Then they found out the box was faulty and had been from new. So 26,000 k's and 18 months before ford actually agreed the box was faulty. Mean while I had to put up with a gear box which would jump out of gear, but ford said it was perfectly fine.

Why should we even believe they have researched the issue. My guess is they have found a problem, hidden it and then come out and said we can't find a problem. Covering their own tracks.

cosmo20btt · 14-02-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Some people have different stress levels to others are are not as equipped to deal with these situation's. So what if he believed he was going to die. If you believe that deeply that you were gonna die, would you just calmly sit back accept your fate? I doubt it. I also bet you also complain when you get a paper cut.

Anyway, what a surprise that ford couldn't find a problem. I had a brand new car with a gearbox problem from 300k's on the ODO. Ford couldn't find the problem for another 26,000 k's. Then they found out the box was faulty and had been from new. So 26,000 k's and 18 months before ford actually agreed the box was faulty. Mean while I had to put up with a gear box which would jump out of gear, but ford said it was perfectly fine.

Why should we even believe they have researched the issue. My guess is they have found a problem, hidden it and then come out and said we can't find a problem. Covering their own tracks.

Fine but what the police investigation that went right through the car, and found it without fault. May be there tied in Ford?

low_72 · 14-02-2010, 01:40 PM

As if you didn't see that coming ...come on...

Another f u k whit that wanted 15 minutes of fame at someone else's expense and the media just love that s h i t...

Where is he now? they need to charge him with wasting police time and being a homo that was " im going to die" ... the media should go back and interview him

If that guy can down load the Mario brothers game and get charge with 1.6million for down loading it...maybe they can charge him with damaging fords name by a false claim?????

low_72 · 14-02-2010, 01:41 PM

Sorry Double post..

EB DRIVER · 15-02-2010, 05:50 PM

Only problem I had with a cruise control was with a command aftermarket model which put up a fight oneday when the brake light switch failed in the EB which also told me I was not showing any brake lights {rough way to find out, could have got rear ended**** also if a cruise did fight you as this guy claims, you would have no vacuum assist for your power brakes what with a wide open throttle which would make stopping a seat back breaking job. Command unit good, only prob magnetic sensor failed once, probably does not like getting hot then cold from engine heat around gearbox.

xtremerus · 15-02-2010, 08:19 PM

CC does not give a wide open throttle. And not enough to loose all vac from the brakes.

EB DRIVER · 16-02-2010, 11:58 PM

why would not the cruise give you a wide open throttle if you managed to brake and get the speed of the vehicle below that at which the cruise was set at, surely it would be the same as trying to climb a steep hill which the car was incapable of climbing at the set speed?