My vette struck by lightning?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The ONLY lighting strike that I see is the F L A S H of the money leaving your wallet! 
How BS can that theory get!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I say your car is haunted! Bring it on down to me and I will rid it of demonds (for $75. an hour!!)
On a more serious note, I may have a more logical method to the MADNESS!
Your car is 8-9 years old. I had a 98 that had numerous electrical problems. They were 90% related to BAD grounds! I cleaned the grounds and the car hsa been 100% trouble free ever since!!!
Doing maintenance on Chassis grounds is easy and FREE!! I made an after the fact post on bad grounds that may help you solve your electrical problems and save some money to boot!
Here is a link to that post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...al+information
I can provide you with a lot more details if you need it.
Bill C
How BS can that theory get!!!!!!!!!!!!!I say your car is haunted! Bring it on down to me and I will rid it of demonds (for $75. an hour!!)
On a more serious note, I may have a more logical method to the MADNESS!
Your car is 8-9 years old. I had a 98 that had numerous electrical problems. They were 90% related to BAD grounds! I cleaned the grounds and the car hsa been 100% trouble free ever since!!!
Doing maintenance on Chassis grounds is easy and FREE!! I made an after the fact post on bad grounds that may help you solve your electrical problems and save some money to boot!
Here is a link to that post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...al+information
I can provide you with a lot more details if you need it.
Bill C
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Parker CO
Well it is definitely possible but can they prove it? Unless there are signs of a direct strike it is very unlikely. The burden is on them to prove why it would be not be covered under warranty. And if they can prove it was lightning then your insurance should cover it, assuming you have full coverage.
As for not seeing signs of a strike it doesn’t mean the electrical system wasn’t damaged by the effects of a strike. Even a nearby strike can cause severe damage by what is called indirect effects. The lightning can induce large voltages and currents on wiring and components. Composite vehicles are even more susceptible to the effects of lightning. Composite aircraft usually have a fine metal mesh or foil cured in the composite to reduce these effects.
As for not seeing signs of a strike it doesn’t mean the electrical system wasn’t damaged by the effects of a strike. Even a nearby strike can cause severe damage by what is called indirect effects. The lightning can induce large voltages and currents on wiring and components. Composite vehicles are even more susceptible to the effects of lightning. Composite aircraft usually have a fine metal mesh or foil cured in the composite to reduce these effects.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Parker CO
Originally Posted by leaftye
Rubber tires conduct quite well due to the carbon content. GM's tire maker tried taking carbon out of the tires for their electric car, thinking it would boost rolling efficiency and that it'd look cool to have a non-black tire, but quickly added carbon back in after owners reported getting tremendous shocks! You see, static builds up while driving as air flows over the car. When you stop, the static equalizes with the ground thru the tires. Take away carbon, and the car can't equalize. You can test this if you ever get shocked when you get out of the car and touch your car. You build up a static differential too, and when you get out without touching your car, and then touch it, you can get shocked. Touch the body of the car before you get out and don't let go until you shut the door, and you won't get shocked.
Actually, it is fiberglass. It even uses the same e-glass or s-glass as traditionally made form of fiberglass. The main difference is that SMC is made with heated matched metal molds. The shape resin-impregnated fabric is placed into the mold, the mold is closed which compresses the fabric, and then the heat is turned up for less than 3 minutes to cure the fabric into a panel. While warm, the panel has some finishing done, then is placed on a rack to cool for additional work, like drilling holes. Sometimes the part will only be partially cured, and then additional resin is placed on the outside of the panel for a smoother finish, and then the part is fully cured. For more info, read the Handbook of Composites....$220 from Amazon.
Eugene
Actually, it is fiberglass. It even uses the same e-glass or s-glass as traditionally made form of fiberglass. The main difference is that SMC is made with heated matched metal molds. The shape resin-impregnated fabric is placed into the mold, the mold is closed which compresses the fabric, and then the heat is turned up for less than 3 minutes to cure the fabric into a panel. While warm, the panel has some finishing done, then is placed on a rack to cool for additional work, like drilling holes. Sometimes the part will only be partially cured, and then additional resin is placed on the outside of the panel for a smoother finish, and then the part is fully cured. For more info, read the Handbook of Composites....$220 from Amazon.
Eugene
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: michigan
Originally Posted by wore
She's at the dealership because of multiple electrical issues. The ruduced engine power message came on, check engine light, power seat no longer works, power windows don't work. Dealer says she was struck by lightning or some big power surge. They have had it a week and it looks like it will be a while longer. Anyone ever here of something like this?
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
Its really cool to see the damage.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: naples FL
thanks to everyone
Thanks for the responses. As it stands the warranty company has taken a week to tell me it needs another day to decide if they will cover. I have feeling they will not. In which case i am screwed. If anyone has any info on fighting a warrant company please help.
My warranty company is members choice out of Chicago
My warranty company is members choice out of Chicago
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Having been in the electronics field for 30yrs. and my father was a line foreman for the local power company I have come to a basic understanding of electron flow. IF you car was hit by lightning, it would probably leave a mark, wouldn't one think?... 
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Parker CO
Originally Posted by wore
Thanks for the responses. As it stands the warranty company has taken a week to tell me it needs another day to decide if they will cover. I have feeling they will not. In which case i am screwed. If anyone has any info on fighting a warrant company please help.
My warranty company is members choice out of Chicago
My warranty company is members choice out of Chicago
What ever happened? Still fighting the insurance company?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Having lived in Florida for a number of years - I can see where this may have occurred.
I have a "bus" motor home (45'). It was parked at my home (just outside Disney Land).
We has a large lightning storm. The bus was NOT actualy stuck, however there was a 'strike' approx 20 -25 foot from it.
The damage to the electrical (read bus electronics, plus refrig, TV's, etc.) ran my insurance over $12,000.
So, there may be no marks on your Vette, but if a strike occurred close enough thee is a possibility is was the culprit to your situation.
I have a "bus" motor home (45'). It was parked at my home (just outside Disney Land).
We has a large lightning storm. The bus was NOT actualy stuck, however there was a 'strike' approx 20 -25 foot from it.
The damage to the electrical (read bus electronics, plus refrig, TV's, etc.) ran my insurance over $12,000.
So, there may be no marks on your Vette, but if a strike occurred close enough thee is a possibility is was the culprit to your situation.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My first port of call would have been to buy a new battery.
I've had lightning strikes in aircraft and there are normally serious witness marks.
JMHO
I've had lightning strikes in aircraft and there are normally serious witness marks.
JMHO
Last edited by DeeGee; Mar 6, 2005 at 11:40 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 3
My car has never been stuck by lightning. However, I have been stuck by lighning in an airplane. It took out a piece of the prop with three burn rings in front of the missing piece. Then the exit point was on top of the vertical fin and top of the rudder. Their it blew off the top corner of the rudder. The top of the vertical fin looked like someone took an arc welder to it. Other than seeing it, the only indication we had was the right generator went off-line. We reset it and all was normal. 
