Lighnting Strike

[der feder jager]

I have a 2009 Sierra 2500 that was struck by lighning. It is currently at the dealer for repairs. They have started by replacing 2 bad modules and have discovered that all of the modules need to be replaced.

 

I am hoping to find someone that may have experience with this type of extensive repair. My biggest concern is what type of future problems may arise after the repairs have been completed. What type of symptoms should I be on the lookout for that be related to the original event.

 

 

 

Thanks

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

I would get rid of it asap. Who knows what all happened.

[redvett]

Insurance companies usually total this kind of vehicle.

[der feder jager]

Insurance companies usually total this kind of vehicle.

 

 

That's not going to happen with 20k miles

[RyanbabZ71]

There is a topic in the fullsize forum. A guy with a 2004 I believe had it happen. Had to replace the entire electrical system.

[redvett]

Just think of all the electronics on a newer vehicle and yours is old a 2009 so its cheaper to total it. Heck they total 2012's for a lightning hit.

 

Insurance companies usually total this kind of vehicle.

 

 

That's not going to happen with 20k miles

 

[Hambone!]

I just have to wonder....how was it struck, what was it parked next to? Did the tires, windows or paint melt?

[redjewel2ss]

yep, if i were the insurance broker, i would total it. no telling what kind of trouble could've happened. if i were the dealer, i would've also recommended totalling it. thats going to be a lot of man hours to fix, because after they fix the modules, something else might pop up and you will continually be in the shop finding something else wrong with it!

[der feder jager]

I just have to wonder....how was it struck, what was it parked next to? Did the tires, windows or paint melt?

 

Actually I was driving 80 mph. down the interstate when it happened. I saw no evidence of where it was struck.

[wavery]

I agree..... that vehicle should be totaled. Any dealer that would touch that vehicle would have to be out of his mind. There is no way to repair that vehicle properly. If it fried the modules it absolutely (90% chance) damaged the computer and God knows what else. The ABS system could even be effected, if not now, maybe 5,000 miles from now when you're doing 80MPH again.

 

Heck, you could be driving down the road and suddenly have an airbag blow up in your face.

 

I not only wouldn't fix it..... I wouldn't drive it.

 

I sure as hell wouldn't sell it....... you would have to disclose what happened and get a release of liability. If you didn't disclose and something happened to the next owner, I would want to be their attorney.

[jdubub]

I agree with wavery^

 

to the OP, if I were you I would push the insurance company to total

[markw8]

A lightning strike can be fixed by a compatent mechanic. I followed a thread at the corvette action center. In august 09 a guy's 96 LT4 Corvette was stuck as he drove. As he was away from home his insurance suggested a nearby dealer. After a few weeks with little to show, he found a Corvette mech. in North Carolina. The insurance co. agreed to the move.

 

By jan.10 he had the car back and had several hundred miles on it. By may 10, over 10,000 miles. This cars value at the time couldn't have been too much over 15k. with over 85k miles. The insurance co. fixed it. It didn't litterally fry the car.

 

Mark

[ChevyTech77]

9 out of 10 times the only thing affected is all of the control modules in the vehicle, that's it. I have repaired many lightning strike vehicles and usually, unless they are only a year or two old with very little mileage on them, the insurance company totals them.

 

If they are not going to total it let them fix it. Like somebody else already said, in the hands of a competant tech, this is a clean repair.

[NitroCherokee]

VERY easy fix, and any competant Tech can repair it properly in one visit. I have done quite a few lightning strike vehicles and once they left never, I never saw them again except for routine maintenance

[cvandegna]

Actually I was driving 80 mph. down the interstate when it happened. I saw no evidence of where it was struck.

 

They'd have to change out my drivers seat too... LOL