[tc535i]

Originally Posted by kfriceman

If you think that four little rubber donuts will provide enough insulation from a lightning strike, you are sadly mistaken. The is a big misunderstanding on how lightning strike events play out.

Kevin

this

if it can travel from the ground to a cloud, it's gonna hop the 1 foot clearance to somewhere on the chassis instead of going thru the tire

[GB-335xiCoupe]

Yep, the huge voltage delta allows it to jump great distances. Internal occupants may (sometimes) be safe, but only because of Gaussian (Faraday) cage effect.

[David1]

I have seen a few BMW lightnig cars repaired. Lots of money and they start one modual, system at a time. the last one I followed at my dealer was a 328. Lightning hit the car by the shark fin on the roof even made a hole. 13k later and a month of time and car was back up to normal. Then they had a Z4 for similar money.

[DJtoad]

Originally Posted by Taxvictim

This is weak. We know the battery was drained yesterday, but the very first question from the dealer is will I authorize $460 for a new battery before they can even test the alternator?

Do dealers refuse to charge batteries if they come in drained?

ETA: Spoke too soon, they had tried to charge it and it would not take a charge.

Regardless, the dealership should be working directly with your insurance company, not asking you questions like that. If you, and not the insurance company, authorize them to replace the battery, you could very well find yourself paying that portion of the repair.

[Taxvictim]

Originally Posted by DJtoad

Regardless, the dealership should be working directly with your insurance company, not asking you questions like that. If you, and not the insurance company, authorize them to replace the battery, you could very well find yourself paying that portion of the repair.

You're right. I forwarded the dealer's email to the claims audit company, though I had authorized the new battery. Figured that my deductible is $500, so I'm paying that much no matter what. Your point is valid, however, that the battery might not get approved, so I'd be stuck with that plus the deductible.

[N55]

I would have pooped myself if I was in the car when that happened.

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by Taxvictim

You're right. I forwarded the dealer's email to the claims audit company, though I had authorized the new battery. Figured that my deductible is $500, so I'm paying that much no matter what. Your point is valid, however, that the battery might not get approved, so I'd be stuck with that plus the deductible.

Tell them to keep the old one. If it doesn't work, sell the new one for a small loss.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by tc535i

this

if it can travel from the ground to a cloud, it's gonna hop the 1 foot clearance to somewhere on the chassis instead of going thru the tire

Yup and get distributed over the body of the vehicle. If I'm in a thunderstorm; I'll be looking for a car to get in to.

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

Thats a story you don't hear happening everyday!!!

[Taxvictim]

Latest news:

"The car now starts with the battery in it but the alternator is still not doing what its supposed to do. We have BSD faults, which is a communication issue between the battery and alternator. My team leader is recommending replacing the oil level sensor on the car as we have faults for it, he plugged a new one in and the faults went away. Once this is replaced he wants to drive the car, let it set overnight, let the car goto sleep and check everything in the morning. I honestly don’t know how we would prove this to insurance. Cost for the sensor/ diagnostic time is $882.10."

That's in addition to the battery, but if it fixes it, I'm happy.

[GB-335xiCoupe]

You should change your screen name from Taxvictim to Lightningvictim.

[Coupeit88]

SO you're about to get a new car. Lol

Sorry to hear tho, best of luck.

[MrPig]

Originally Posted by N55

I would have pooped myself if I was in the car when that happened.

The day I picked up the d there was a massive thunderstorm. A lightning bolt struck a light pole and knocked out the traffic light system at the intersction I was stopped at; the strike was no more than 50 feet away from the car. This thread makes me appreciate the fact that the car is fine, 3 years later (although a uria tank sensor did crap out 4 months ago. I figure it's unrelated).

No pants were soiled by me or the gf in the passenger seat.

[kfriceman]

Originally Posted by Taxvictim

Latest news:

"The car now starts with the battery in it but the alternator is still not doing what its supposed to do. We have BSD faults, which is a communication issue between the battery and alternator. My team leader is recommending replacing the oil level sensor on the car as we have faults for it, he plugged a new one in and the faults went away. Once this is replaced he wants to drive the car, let it set overnight, let the car goto sleep and check everything in the morning. I honestly don’t know how we would prove this to insurance. Cost for the sensor/ diagnostic time is $882.10."

That's in addition to the battery, but if it fixes it, I'm happy.

Nice update but why are you managing this and not your insurance company?

-Kevin

[m42stanle]

Originally Posted by Taxvictim

Latest news:

"The car now starts with the battery in it but the alternator is still not doing what its supposed to do. We have BSD faults, which is a communication issue between the battery and alternator. My team leader is recommending replacing the oil level sensor on the car as we have faults for it, he plugged a new one in and the faults went away. Once this is replaced he wants to drive the car, let it set overnight, let the car goto sleep and check everything in the morning. I honestly don’t know how we would prove this to insurance. Cost for the sensor/ diagnostic time is $882.10."

That's in addition to the battery, but if it fixes it, I'm happy.

Did you happen to notice if one or more tires were melted/damaged? That might give you some indication whether it was a true strike. Does not sound like good news either way:

(From NWS "Lightning and Cars")

<snip>
A typical cloud-to-ground, actually cloud-to-vehicle, lightning strike will either strike the antenna of the vehicle or along the roofline. The lightning will then pass through the vehicle's outer metal shell, then through the tires to the ground.

Although every lightning strike is different, damage to the antenna, electrical system, rear windshield, and tires is common. The heat from a lightning strike is sufficient to partially melt the antenna of a vehicle and can cause what seems like a small explosion of sparks as tiny fragments of metal melt and burn. A portion of the discharge may find its way into the vehicle's electrical system and may damage or destroy electronic components, potentially leaving the car inoperable. The lightning may also find its way into the small defrosting wires that are embedded in rear windows causing the windows to shatter. Finally, it's very common for the lightning to destroy one or more tires as it passes through the steel belts to the ground. It's also possible for the lightning to ignite a fire which could destroy the vehicle.

[335m]

Originally Posted by kfriceman

Nice update but why are you managing this and not your insurance company?

-Kevin

+1

[BoogeyMan'sBMW]

Wow well that escalated quickly...

[335m]

Originally Posted by BoogeyMan'sBMW

Wow well that escalated quickly...

It started with a lightning strike...

[Taxvictim]

The dealer is also forwarding all of this info to the insurance company. They farmed out the claim to a third party adjusting company, and everything has been sent to them, but they have not responded. I have called them, too, to get some response.

The problem here is that it's not like a regular crash estimate. The shop doesn't look at the car and say "it will cost $4,500 to replace the body panel and paint." The shop has to spend many hours just trying to figure out what is wrong with the system, and the adjuster seems like she is set in auto mode wanting to get a full written estimate of everything in advance.

My brother-in-law's Lexus 460 is totaled. The other brother-in-law's Acura dealer is saying his 2007 TL needs the entire electrical system replaced for $9,500, so that will probably get totaled.

[kaigoss69]

Cars aren't "grounded" by the tires. Actually, rubber is an insulator. This means electricity does not pass through the material. However, if the voltage is high enough, an arc can form and bypass the tire.

[kfriceman]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Cars aren't "grounded" by the tires. Actually, rubber is an insulator. This means electricity does not pass through the material. However, if the voltage is high enough, an arc can form and bypass the tire.

At ~30,000 amps and ~100,000 volts that lightning will go right through those tires on the way to the ground. The insulating attributes of the rubber in those tires is no match for a lightning strike.

-Kevin

[Efthreeoh]

Most radial tires have steel belts which at as a Faraday cage and can block the current from passing the air gap between the tire and wheel.