Accident Need Advice (update no write off)
03-27-2012, 08:27 PM
#16
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I was rear ended in my Dode Neon a few months ago as I was taking off from a stop light. I was plenty far from the car in front of my and I saw the car coming behind me. Had enough time to yell 'OH ****!' and tried to slam on my brakes but when the car hit me it caused me to slam onto the gas and do just about what you described here. Pushing the car in front of me a good 15 feet or more before I realized what was going on. All this happened in a matter of seconds. Best of luck to you man!
03-27-2012, 08:31 PM
#17
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What a mess. You really have to file this under '**** happens' and go from there.
03-27-2012, 08:35 PM
#18
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Sorry to hear about the mishap. It's not a transmission shifting issue, that would have been all been a result of the throttle being open.
There is no direct connection between brakes and throttle pedal, unless the loose floormat got pushed over the throttle and under the brake (pushing down the throttle as the brake was pressed), or your foot was overlapping the throttle and brake (as noted above).
Do not ever go near a car with a loose drivers-side floormat, it is a disaster waiting to happen. They can ride over a bottom-pivoting throttle pedal (like the 928) and push it down, or jam a top-pivoting pedal wide-open. Mats must be secured against being able to scoot forward. Google "Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor" (with quotes) for details of a particularly heartbreaking example.
Also check the pedal-height of the brake, when fully-mashed (engine running). When the brake pedal is pushed hard, I think it should be slightly above the throttle pedal. The rod between pedal and booster/brake-cylinder is adjustable, I know a 86+ can be freely adjusted to set the pedal height but the 85-prior pedal is different, and includes a stop for the "up" position which dictates how the rod gets adjusted. But worth checking against the factory manual, nonetheless (WSM pages 46-9 & 10).
There is no direct connection between brakes and throttle pedal, unless the loose floormat got pushed over the throttle and under the brake (pushing down the throttle as the brake was pressed), or your foot was overlapping the throttle and brake (as noted above).
Do not ever go near a car with a loose drivers-side floormat, it is a disaster waiting to happen. They can ride over a bottom-pivoting throttle pedal (like the 928) and push it down, or jam a top-pivoting pedal wide-open. Mats must be secured against being able to scoot forward. Google "Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor" (with quotes) for details of a particularly heartbreaking example.
Also check the pedal-height of the brake, when fully-mashed (engine running). When the brake pedal is pushed hard, I think it should be slightly above the throttle pedal. The rod between pedal and booster/brake-cylinder is adjustable, I know a 86+ can be freely adjusted to set the pedal height but the 85-prior pedal is different, and includes a stop for the "up" position which dictates how the rod gets adjusted. But worth checking against the factory manual, nonetheless (WSM pages 46-9 & 10).
03-27-2012, 08:41 PM
#20
Drifting
Very likely like others have said is that you stepped on both pedals at the same time. The throttle could stick, but you would have likely already noticed this. The transmission cannot open the throttle.
03-27-2012, 08:47 PM
#21
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Last edited by Adamant1971; 05-05-2012 at 02:52 AM.
03-27-2012, 08:49 PM
#22
Here is something you need to consider. The brakes on these cars, when applied with full pressure, will STOP these cars under full throttle. Sure, you may burn the tires off but the car will stop.
03-27-2012, 08:51 PM
#23
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Last edited by Adamant1971; 05-05-2012 at 02:52 AM.
03-27-2012, 09:00 PM
#24
Race Car
I honestly don't think I hit both pedals. I clearly remember having my foot square in the brake pedal.
I think it's one of two things.
1. Sticky throttle
2. The loose floor mat pressed on the gas pedal from being forced under the brake pedal when I put my full force into it.
Obvoiously #2 is not going to work in court. So I'm left with proving #1.
I think it's one of two things.
1. Sticky throttle
2. The loose floor mat pressed on the gas pedal from being forced under the brake pedal when I put my full force into it.
Obvoiously #2 is not going to work in court. So I'm left with proving #1.
Looks repairable.
Good luck!
Michael
03-27-2012, 09:04 PM
#25
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The throttle cable from the pedal to the intake where it passes through the firewall on the engine side can come apart from the adjusting nut stem and get lodged. It will then stay in a open position which causes your exact condition. This happened to me a month ago after I rebuit the quadrant with new bearings. I kept noticing my car wanting to stay excelerating after letting off the pressure on the gas pedal. I popped the cable back into the stem from being extended and all was good. I guess I extended it when moving the cables around in engine compartment.
Have you repaired anything in this area recently?
Thomas
Have you repaired anything in this area recently?
Thomas
03-27-2012, 09:38 PM
#27
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I hate to say this but it sounds like you may have hit the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. It is not hard to do during a panic stop & the usual reaction is to push the pedals harder as the car continues to move, adding more throttle while you are at it.
Edit: Stan beat me to it.
Edit: Stan beat me to it.
I did the exact same thing coming up fast on the back of a minivan that short stopped at an intersection.
I unknowingly had pushed both pedals - the car was slowing down but not stopping.
The rear tires were smoking as I tapped their back bumper, breaking my driving/fog light lense. No damage to the minivan luckily.
Since then I make a conscious effort to push the center of the brake pedal.
The close proximity of the brake and accelerator pedals make it easier to heel/toe drive, but also creates this risk.
03-27-2012, 09:41 PM
#28
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Last edited by Adamant1971; 05-05-2012 at 02:52 AM.
03-27-2012, 09:49 PM
#29
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Last edited by Adamant1971; 05-05-2012 at 02:52 AM.
03-27-2012, 09:56 PM
#30
Drifting
I thought about this the minute I heard about your accident and knew you had an automatic.
I had a weird situation many years ago in a Camero coming off a highway ramp. Just as I applied the brakes the car felt like it was taking off. I had time to slap the gear into N and brake to a stop before the intersection. Torque converter was toast. When they opened it up at the dealer it puked out the fluid all over and the mechanic showed me the blown out seals mixed in with other debris. Not saying this is the problem but it's worth a look and it's easy to spot when the car is checked. Glad YOUR ok - car can be repaired.
Your vehicle's torque converter converts the rotational energy of the engine into usable power for the transmission and wheels. Similar to a clutch in a car with a manual transmission, the torque converter can engage or disengage the engine flywheel depending on input from the vehicle's brakes. If the torque converter fails, you may not be able to start your car---or worse, stop the vehicle. Understanding the reasons torque converters fail can prevent future accidents.
Read more: Reasons Torque Converters Fail | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7431011_rea...#ixzz1qMss74rH
Read more: Reasons Torque Converters Fail | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7431011_rea...#ixzz1qMss74rH