Drive-by-wire problems?
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From: Baxter MN
Drive-by-wire problems?
This is just a question, not a statement of a problem, but...
Looking at the recalls of Toyotas with sudden acceleration it occurs to me that these problems with the Toyota are directly related to the computer-controlled solenoid actuated throttles.
Our C5s have this same basic layout, although our software and/or hardware may be different. What are the chances that our C5s could suffer the same sudden acceleration problems?
Did GM engineers build in any fool proof, over-ride systems in our cars? If these little Toyota Prius' can hit 94 MPH before they crash or run out of fuel, it sure doesn't take much of a strtch of the imagination to figure what would happen if one of our cars suddenly "took off" without warning.
If we have any folks who have more familiarity with this system than I do, I sure would like to hear your opinions or facts.
Glen
Looking at the recalls of Toyotas with sudden acceleration it occurs to me that these problems with the Toyota are directly related to the computer-controlled solenoid actuated throttles.
Our C5s have this same basic layout, although our software and/or hardware may be different. What are the chances that our C5s could suffer the same sudden acceleration problems?
Did GM engineers build in any fool proof, over-ride systems in our cars? If these little Toyota Prius' can hit 94 MPH before they crash or run out of fuel, it sure doesn't take much of a strtch of the imagination to figure what would happen if one of our cars suddenly "took off" without warning.
If we have any folks who have more familiarity with this system than I do, I sure would like to hear your opinions or facts.
Glen
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
This is just a question, not a statement of a problem, but...
Looking at the recalls of Toyotas with sudden acceleration it occurs to me that these problems with the Toyota are directly related to the computer-controlled solenoid actuated throttles.
Our C5s have this same basic layout, although our software and/or hardware may be different. What are the chances that our C5s could suffer the same sudden acceleration problems?
Did GM engineers build in any fool proof, over-ride systems in our cars? If these little Toyota Prius' can hit 94 MPH before they crash or run out of fuel, it sure doesn't take much of a strtch of the imagination to figure what would happen if one of our cars suddenly "took off" without warning.
If we have any folks who have more familiarity with this system than I do, I sure would like to hear your opinions or facts.
Glen
Looking at the recalls of Toyotas with sudden acceleration it occurs to me that these problems with the Toyota are directly related to the computer-controlled solenoid actuated throttles.
Our C5s have this same basic layout, although our software and/or hardware may be different. What are the chances that our C5s could suffer the same sudden acceleration problems?
Did GM engineers build in any fool proof, over-ride systems in our cars? If these little Toyota Prius' can hit 94 MPH before they crash or run out of fuel, it sure doesn't take much of a strtch of the imagination to figure what would happen if one of our cars suddenly "took off" without warning.
If we have any folks who have more familiarity with this system than I do, I sure would like to hear your opinions or facts.
Glen
I can hit 94 MPH in 5 seconds. It took that Prius guy 10 min to get there!
The C5 Throttle by Wire system is very reliable and failes at ZERO more than full throttle. If it ever fails you will learn what the definition of REDUCED ENGINE POWER really means!
FLYING along in the breakdown lane on the side of the highway at a whopping 1 - 3 MPH while the Prius and Yaris's blow the horn at you as they fly by.
On a more serious note, the throttle position sensor and the accelerator peddle sensor have potentiometers in them that output opposite voltages. The Throttle Actuator Control Module monitors them very closely and if any of the voltages do not agree with each other, (equal and opposite) it puts the car into the REDUCED ENGINE POWER mode.
I know of a LOT of people that get the REDUCED ENGINE POWER issue but NONE with the PRIUS Mode issue!
Your safe!
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Mar 13, 2010 at 12:16 AM.
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
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Bill, I thought I had read they were variable inductors rather than poteniometers? Still doing the exact function you stated of course. I'm possibly wrong too...something I thought I saw...I'm thinking you would know better than I.
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From: Anthony TX
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St. Jude Donor '08
BC
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I have been here on the forum for 9 yrs and have YET to see even 1 problem with the C5 throttle system causing any failure in a "full throttle" mode. If anything, as Bill said, there have been a few cases of just the opposite occurring when a system fault is detected by the PCM regarding the throttle actuation system, which may or may NOT have had anything to do with the actual throttle control itself, and the PCM goes into a reduced power "limp home" mode. The '97s are now 13 years old and even common logic tells me that if there WERE some sort of latent design problem (either hardware OR software), it definitely would have shown up long before now.
Personally, I remain very skeptical that the Toyota situation is a software problem either.
Personally, I remain very skeptical that the Toyota situation is a software problem either.
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From: Dyer, IN
This is just a question, not a statement of a problem, but...
Looking at the recalls of Toyotas with sudden acceleration it occurs to me that these problems with the Toyota are directly related to the computer-controlled solenoid actuated throttles.
Our C5s have this same basic layout, although our software and/or hardware may be different. What are the chances that our C5s could suffer the same sudden acceleration problems?
Did GM engineers build in any fool proof, over-ride systems in our cars? If these little Toyota Prius' can hit 94 MPH before they crash or run out of fuel, it sure doesn't take much of a strtch of the imagination to figure what would happen if one of our cars suddenly "took off" without warning.
If we have any folks who have more familiarity with this system than I do, I sure would like to hear your opinions or facts.
Glen
Looking at the recalls of Toyotas with sudden acceleration it occurs to me that these problems with the Toyota are directly related to the computer-controlled solenoid actuated throttles.
Our C5s have this same basic layout, although our software and/or hardware may be different. What are the chances that our C5s could suffer the same sudden acceleration problems?
Did GM engineers build in any fool proof, over-ride systems in our cars? If these little Toyota Prius' can hit 94 MPH before they crash or run out of fuel, it sure doesn't take much of a strtch of the imagination to figure what would happen if one of our cars suddenly "took off" without warning.
If we have any folks who have more familiarity with this system than I do, I sure would like to hear your opinions or facts.
Glen
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In fact, the GM system uses dual throttle position sensors -- anything more than a slight variation between the two and the pedal position triggers a DTC that slams the throttle blade shut as BC alludes to above.
At any rate, the GM DBW system has been around for 15 years or so with no failures of this nature. I'd say GM engineers kicked the **** out of Toyota engineers on this one.
At any rate, the GM DBW system has been around for 15 years or so with no failures of this nature. I'd say GM engineers kicked the **** out of Toyota engineers on this one.
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Bear in mind, these same people who claim sudden acceleration don't have the common sense to put the cars in neutral. It's reminiscent of the Audi sudden acceleration back in the eighties when they later proved it to be operator error. My wife's Avalon is in the recall group. She has driven it 81,000 miles without an issue. She knows which pedal stops it and which makes it go. As for the recall, they want to install a device that kills the engine if the computer senses the gas and brake pedals being applied at the same time. I think I'll wait on the recall. They rarely get them right as we found out on the C5 column lock issues and the C6 flying roofs.
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From: Anthony TX
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St. Jude Donor '08
I almost said the same thing.My clutch sticks to the floor wnder full power. Maybe we can get a recall on that one!
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From: Baxter MN
Fair enough. No reported problems and, no, I didn't want to start a panic or a witch hunt. I'm on-board with the fact that these are exceptional cars and a huge value for the money inspite of their few shortcomings. Our current 04 CE is our second, but hopefully not our last Corvette.
Thanks for the responses - both serious and humorous.
Glen
Thanks for the responses - both serious and humorous.
Glen
It's odd that there has been a huge increase in these incidents lately.
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From: Weatherford, TX
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From: Columbia SC
This is slightly off-topic, but I bought my C5 two years ago without having ever driven one. It was going to be my first "drive-by-wire" car and frankly I was concerned that the throttle action would feel artificial or hesitant or . . . .? but I have been quite pleased. It feels 'normal' (I guess by that I mean old-fashioned) in all respects.
Re the current Toyota situation: is anyone else stunned stupid by these whiny idiots who, when faced with a (maybe) sticking throttle and a potentially lethal traffic situation, pick up their cell phone to either dial a loved one or 911 when they could be attending to their driving and bringing their car to a halt by one of several means? Jesus!
Re the current Toyota situation: is anyone else stunned stupid by these whiny idiots who, when faced with a (maybe) sticking throttle and a potentially lethal traffic situation, pick up their cell phone to either dial a loved one or 911 when they could be attending to their driving and bringing their car to a halt by one of several means? Jesus!