hit by lightning I think.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
hit by lightning I think.
My wife was driving her 04 in a thunderstorm. She said she saw a flash and all power to the car shut off. There was a truck just ahead of her that stopped too. I jumped the car off and it would run for a while and then the battery would die. I found that there were some wires that have been dangling down from the bottom of the car. I believe them to be o2 sensor wires. Now I have put in a red top battery and a new alternator but I have had to run a jumper wire from the alternator to the battery. The car is running rough (too rich) and backfiring. Took it to the dealer and they said it was the battery. They didn't even see the fried wires underneath the car. I would put the o2 sensors in myself but wary of crushing my head under this low car. What do I do?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
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From: Manassas VA
Have you checked with your insurance yet? I learned that my roof was covered when it blew off under the comprehensive coverage because "the wind caused the damage."
Lightning strikes normally destroy everything electrical; I would check with your insurance before trying anything else.
Glad the wife survived the strike; that's just
Lightning strikes normally destroy everything electrical; I would check with your insurance before trying anything else.
Glad the wife survived the strike; that's just
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,498
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From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
There was a guy that I read about on another forum whose Corvette was hit by lighning and he had all kinds of problems getting that car lined out and running right!
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,546
Likes: 895
From: Republic of Texas
Wow.... Not sure but the car may have taken an EMP hit and fried (some) of the electronics depending on the length and magnitude of the exposure.
additional info on EMP from lightning:
http://www.natscience.com/Uwe/Forum....from-lightning
additional info on EMP from lightning:
http://www.natscience.com/Uwe/Forum....from-lightning
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 1
From: Motorsports Capital of the World..Indianapolis Indiana
Insurance....car may need whole new wiring harness, door modules, fuel pumps, headlight modules, IP, Stereo, HVAC, ECU, you never know.
Insurance company should know where to send your car to get it looked at by the right people, or check for a reputable automotive electrical shop, or at the least take it to a dealer with a Corvette specialist.
And thank God your wife is OK
Insurance company should know where to send your car to get it looked at by the right people, or check for a reputable automotive electrical shop, or at the least take it to a dealer with a Corvette specialist.
And thank God your wife is OK
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 99
From: Arlington Texas
When I worked as a service advisor at a Nissan dealership I had a customer who was driving his xterra and was hit by lightning. We had to replace every control module, transmission because it was controlled internally by electronics, radio, wiring and even a tire. His bill was 13k and paid by insurance.
If you really think it was hit by lightning get your insurance involved if you have comprehensive coverage.
If you really think it was hit by lightning get your insurance involved if you have comprehensive coverage.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: NEW WINDSOR NY
Just priced out all the electronic modules on an 08 super duty that got hit by lightning while driving.The modules to start communicating with the vehicle are around 3k.Worked at a chevy dealer 10+ years ago that lost 2 brand new blazers coming off the carrier that got nailed and melted the blacktop under the two and took out all the computers inside.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
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Have you checked with your insurance yet? I learned that my roof was covered when it blew off under the comprehensive coverage because "the wind caused the damage."
Lightning strikes normally destroy everything electrical; I would check with your insurance before trying anything else.
Glad the wife survived the strike; that's just
Lightning strikes normally destroy everything electrical; I would check with your insurance before trying anything else.
Glad the wife survived the strike; that's just
i was struck back in 1997 driving in the after storm of hurricane erin (after the hurricane had actually passed). i was in my wife's jeep grand cherokee and the entire electrical system went into immediate shut down. the car would crank normally, but never even hinted at starting. i smelled a very faint burning smell (later found out that one wire under the dash overheated and burned). the car was covered under warranty at the time, thankfully, and when it was all said an done, the ECM and approximately 7 other electronic components had to be replaced including the 3 that controlled the automatic transmission function. it wasn't fun as the car was tied up for well over a week as it was time consuming to find a problem, repair it and then find the next one that the repair pointed out. on top of it all, i was about 100 miles from home returning (with my wife) from a short vacation, so it was quite an adventure to say the least.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 720
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From: Walnut Creek CA
Think i will start watching the weather better 
Good luck with repairs.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I agree... insurance company. The strike hit whatever on top and ended up exiting at the lowest electrical point which would be an O2 sensor. The dealer was stupid for not looking under there meaning they didn't even connect a Tech2 to find out what was going on...or the dude didn't know how to use it. At least your wife was ok which is the important part
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
I do appreciate the well wishes for my wife. Thank you all. I have decided to take it to a high performance shop because it does have a lot of aftermarket things on it put on before I bought it.
Right now I am getting codes from the O2 sensors which is only right because they are melted at the connections and the engine is idling rough (smells rich). I can't take off the old sensors and too scared that I might pull the car down on top of me. So off to the performance shop. Did any of you ever buy the HP tuners and tune the car yourselves?
Right now I am getting codes from the O2 sensors which is only right because they are melted at the connections and the engine is idling rough (smells rich). I can't take off the old sensors and too scared that I might pull the car down on top of me. So off to the performance shop. Did any of you ever buy the HP tuners and tune the car yourselves?