Vette struck by lightning

[MDKyleZ]

On Saturday while driving home from work and then on my way to Carlisle, my 1996 LT4 Vette was struck by lightning (aka The Hand of God). I was able to coast under partial power to the nearest Chevy dealership and had to leave it with the service center.

When it happened all electrical systems went nuts, every light on the dash lit-up for a second and then flashed for a second, most of the interior courtesy lights blew, and as best I can tell some of the exterior lights too. The AC blower fan burnt up and the AC control module is fried. The point of impact appears to be either a break rotor which appears to have warped from heat or the exhaust which is now suffering from multiple leaks and is scorched severely both the cat and resonator split at the seams. Wiring is fried and even nonexistent in many areas.

The insurance adjuster is on his way to the dealership now and I guess they will contact me when they know something. The mechanic's first thoughts were " You're F***ed"

Any advise, thoughts or encouragement welcome.

 

[Red Vette]

It could have been worse, you could have been injured. Thank God that He spared you. Hopefully your LT4 will be repaired back to normal conditions with minimual costs to you. Also, let's hope that the Chevy dealership has a qualified tech to repair. If not, you may need to talk to the insurance adjuster about moving the LT4 to another qualified dealership or Corvette repair shop. Lots of luck.
Barrett

 

[MDKyleZ]

It could have been worse, you could have been injured. Thank God that He spared you. Hopefully your LT4 will be repaired back to normal conditions with minimual costs to you. Also, let's hope that the Chevy dealership has a qualified tech to repair. If not, you may need to talk to the insurance adjuster about moving the LT4 to another qualified dealership or Corvette repair shop. Lots of luck.
Barrett

And thanks, for the well wishes.

They have a qualified tech, or so they say, but I've never been there before, and qualified does not always mean quality.

It's at Harry Green Chevy in Clarksburg WV, if anyone has ever had experience there please let me know.

 

[dogfish246]

Well, on the good side you walked away unharmed! A car can always be fixed/replaced...

So, im guessing Corvettes are not like other cars when it comes to lightning... I figured it would react more like a boat, but was not sure... I hoped the body shape would deflect the lightning like metal cars...

Any Insight?

HOPE YOU GET YOUR CAR BACK FIXED LIKE NEW!:cool

 

[MDKyleZ]

Well, on the good side you walked away unharmed! A car can always be fixed/replaced...

So, im guessing Corvettes are not like other cars when it comes to lightning... I figured it would react more like a boat, but was not sure... I hoped the body shape would deflect the lightning like metal cars...

Any Insight?

HOPE YOU GET YOUR CAR BACK FIXED LIKE NEW!:cool

Thanks, I hope it comes back better than new.

The strike came from the underside of the car, and rather than the current being carried through the body of the car as it would in a metal car, it followed the path of least resistance through the exhaust and wiring.

 

[Schrade]

I'm allergic to electricity. Gives me the shakes 'n stuff YUP.

I'm not selfish either - if I got a buddy nearby, I'll grab hold and share. Good buddies are a good thing to have too - they keep ya' grounded, if ya' know what I mean there uh huh

 

[tmkassin]

I think I'd be shopping for a new ride! You could be chasing electrical problems forever, not to mention the mechanical issues. Your insurance may push for a quick settlement and leave you stuck with problems that don't show up right away. Count your blessings...

 

[bucket]

On Saturday while driving home from work and then on my way to Carlisle, my 1996 LT4 Vette was struck by lightning (aka The Hand of God). I was able to coast under partial power to the nearest Chevy dealership and had to leave it with the service center.

When it happened all electrical systems went nuts, every light on the dash lit-up for a second and then flashed for a second, most of the interior courtesy lights blew, and as best I can tell some of the exterior lights too. The AC blower fan burnt up and the AC control module is fried. The point of impact appears to be either a break rotor which appears to have warped from heat or the exhaust which is now suffering from multiple leaks and is scorched severely both the cat and resonator split at the seams. Wiring is fried and even nonexistent in many areas.

The insurance adjuster is on his way to the dealership now and I guess they will contact me when they know something. The mechanic's first thoughts were " You're F***ed"

Any advise, thoughts or encouragement welcome.

that car is totaled..
but you can buy it back cheap rom the insurance company..and order a new wiring harness....and have bucks left over for radical upgrades...yay.!

 

[bucket]

Thanks, I hope it comes back better than new.

The strike came from the underside of the car, and rather than the current being carried through the body of the car as it would in a metal car, it followed the path of least resistance through the exhaust and wiring.

lightning actually starts from the ground up....(discovery channel)

 

[bucket]

I'm allergic to electricity. Gives me the shakes 'n stuff YUP.

I'm not selfish either - if I got a buddy nearby, I'll grab hold and share. Good buddies are a good thing to have too - they keep ya' grounded, if ya' know what I mean there uh huh

i have had a few friends like you

 

[vett boy]

Junkie will take it in trade against the Z06 he's stashed in the Barn

 

[bucket]

if you would have only had yer Flux Capacitor hooked up...dang it

 

[KANE]

On Saturday while driving home from work and then on my way to Carlisle, my 1996 LT4 Vette was struck by lightning (aka The Hand of God). I was able to coast under partial power to the nearest Chevy dealership and had to leave it with the service center...

:eek What a story!

So... no kidding, there you were out, and all of the sudden you hear a like a thunder crack! You were hit :ugh! But that day, the eddevil wasn't gonna get ya- you gave the to him. :L


I'd say you were really lucky. You should ;worship your guardian angel for that one! Not sure how fast he had to behind you, but he was there when you needed his ;help the most. The fact you can :Twist away is just incredible!

Talk about driving the "thunder road".

I hope you went out with for a little to celebrate. You deserve it!



In all seriousness & fun aside- I'm glad you survived and can tell us!

 

[XLR8]

Incredible! I'm glad you survived unharmed! Your poor Vette!

I actually watched a special on lightning a week or two and I wondered how our fiberglass dream-cars would handle being struck.

Good luck with the insurance and let us know how it turns out for you and your LT4.

Jane Ann

 

[Schrade]

if you would have only had yer Flux Capacitor hooked up...dang it

Uh HUH!!! If he was goin' 88mph, we'd have never seen him again, til the c13's were comin' out.

 

[bucket]

Uh HUH!!! If he was goin' 88mph, we'd have never seen him again, til the c13's were comin' out.

i like it , but, it looks a bit nar in the front..

 

[MDKyleZ]

Thanks for all the support. Well another day of waiting is ahead of me, because the guy from the insurance went to the wrong dealership.

I did however talk the the mechanic who was able to tell me that he did nothing to see what was wrong with the car, so they have nothing to tell the adjuster anyway. He is not willing to look any farther till he gets the word from them and they can not do anything till he looks farther. The shop also did not save the error codes from Saturday and the battery died over the weekend so no codes are even stored in the computer now.

So, when the adjuster does get to the dealership (the right one) they are going to be looking at a car with very little visible damage, (only exhaust damage, and some wiring and connecter melting) and no error codes in the computer. The mechanic was able to start the car but it still runs poorly; and in my opinion will most likely only get worse.

Do any of you guys have experience with this dealership? Thus far I'm not really confident in their work or professionalism. I talked to the insurance company and they want me to wait to move the car to a "specialty shop".

Any suggestions for good mechanics in this area or with-in a 100 miles? (Clarksburg, WV)

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[gmjunkie]

Thanks for all the support. Well another day of waiting is ahead of me, because the guy from the insurance went to the wrong dealership.

I did however talk the the mechanic who was able to tell me that he did nothing to see what was wrong with the car, so they have nothing to tell the adjuster anyway. He is not willing to look any farther till he gets the word from them and they can not do anything till he looks farther. The shop also did not save the error codes from Saturday and the battery died over the weekend so no codes are even stored in the computer now.

So, when the adjuster does get to the dealership (the right one) they are going to be looking at a car with very little visible damage, (only exhaust damage, and some wiring and connecter melting) and no error codes in the computer. The mechanic was able to start the car but it still runs poorly; and in my opinion will most likely only get worse.

Do any of you guys have experience with this dealership? Thus far I'm not really confident in their work or professionalism. I talked to the insurance company and they want me to wait to move the car to a "specialty shop".

Any suggestions for good mechanics in this area or with-in a 100 miles? (Clarksburg, WV)

Thanks for all of your help.

Nope,Don't know the dealer,But I've had experience with a few Lightning Struck Cars!!!:L:L:LIt's usually not a pleasant one,but they can be put back right!!I can tell you though,there will be more problems than what meets the Eye!!

 

[MDKyleZ]

Nope,Don't know the dealer,But I've had experience with a few Lightning Struck Cars!!!:L:L:LIt's usually not a pleasant one,but they can be put back right!!I can tell you though,there will be more problems than what meets the Eye!!

That's kind of what I thought too, there's no way to see them all with a visual or computer inspection.

 

[dogfish246]

You figure that driving a Vette in lightning can be dangerouse... Just think: Clear roof, very few grounds, made of fiberglass, had a big metal engine, a lot of glass, ect...

The first time I took my Vette out in the Lightning I was quite concerned, but tried to but my fears aside to drive safely...

Now I know how its unlike any normal car in the lightning!!!hnoes