Glad to be able to hear the rest of the story, thanks for coming back with the conclusions.
Lightning strike - not able to hold a charge but can still drive
My 2012 Volt was plugged and actively being charged with my level 2 Blink branded charger on my driveway. Then a bolt of lightning struck approximately 30 feet away. The 30A breaker tripped. My car can still run but is not able to accept a charge.
- I have tried numerous chargers (friend, neighbors, various public ones). I'm 100% sure my car is not able to take a charge.
- I have checked various fuses that seemed to relate to anything with the EV aspect of the car. There is a 40A charging system fuse. All are intact via continuity tester.
- The larger fuses off the positive terminal off the 12Vdc battery are intact.
- I attempted to reset the computer by unplugging the negative terminal of the 12Vdc battery for a while. Made no difference.
- There IS a check engine light after I pulled and replaced a bunch of fuses. I have not checked it.
- When I plug in the various chargers, the car does not recognize it is even plugged in. So the dash says "plug in your car" and the car still lets me drive.
- I am still getting an audible and physical click. I have blown out the port w/ compressed air. It is not a charging port mechanical connection problem
Thoughts? I know I'm going to have to take it in to the dealer. But I'm looking to get a little smarter so I can be more engaged when I speak to the Volt-Technician and my insurance company. Note I am an electrical engineer, so feel free to get technical.
Thanks folks!
- I have tried numerous chargers (friend, neighbors, various public ones). I'm 100% sure my car is not able to take a charge.
- I have checked various fuses that seemed to relate to anything with the EV aspect of the car. There is a 40A charging system fuse. All are intact via continuity tester.
- The larger fuses off the positive terminal off the 12Vdc battery are intact.
- I attempted to reset the computer by unplugging the negative terminal of the 12Vdc battery for a while. Made no difference.
- There IS a check engine light after I pulled and replaced a bunch of fuses. I have not checked it.
- When I plug in the various chargers, the car does not recognize it is even plugged in. So the dash says "plug in your car" and the car still lets me drive.
- I am still getting an audible and physical click. I have blown out the port w/ compressed air. It is not a charging port mechanical connection problem
Thoughts? I know I'm going to have to take it in to the dealer. But I'm looking to get a little smarter so I can be more engaged when I speak to the Volt-Technician and my insurance company. Note I am an electrical engineer, so feel free to get technical.
Thanks folks!
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Glad you can charge again, especially with everything covered.
Why was your L1 damaged? From the damage to the onboard charger or the HPCM2? In OP, you said it was on the L2 Blink when it got cooked.
Why was your L1 damaged? From the damage to the onboard charger or the HPCM2? In OP, you said it was on the L2 Blink when it got cooked.
Good to hear the dealer treat you right. Is your Volt operating 100% at this time?CONCLUSION TO THIS STORY...
After many hours at the Chevy dealership, here's the highlights
- The strange error code I was getting was due to me putting a fuse back in the wrong spot. ooops...
- The charging receptacle (the piece that mates with the EVSE plug/cable) was damaged. It was definitely cracked. I suspect this was a growing problem the lightning may have made worst. Not sure. This was replaced but did not fix the problem. Note the Volt Tech reported this component being cracked is a common repair.
- Next the battery charging module was replaced (the piece up front right under the bumper). This also did not fix the problem. Whether it was broken or not can't be known with certainty.
The HPCM2 was replaced. I'm not super sure but this is the brain and AI that calculates your range and stuff. This was replaced and the car is now fixed!
- My Level 1 EVSE that came with my Volt is destroyed. The two smaller pins on the side are supposed to read 1V put read like 0.1 V. So the lightning wiped this, which is surprising as it was plugged in, but was not plugged into my car.
All items except the EVSE were covered by the Voltec warranty. It was $1,700 worth in parts alone. Ouch...
I unplug during lightning storms. Less than a year into my 2013 Volt when I bought it new same thing happened. Lightning strike/surge. Had the onboard charger replaced.
this got me thinking, If we didn't have the Voltec Warranty and this happened, Would it be covered by home owners insurance like our other electronics, fridge, stove, microwave, computers, etc?
Ditto......if we're having thunder storms, I unplug.I unplug during lightning storms. Less than a year into my 2013 Volt when I bought it new same thing happened. Lightning strike/surge. Had the onboard charger replaced.
Electrician that wired my L2 charger, put a whole house surge suppressor on my breaker box. I don't unplug during thunderstorms.
My car is only plugged in when it's charging, except in the winter by practice and I don't fuss with it otherwise. Storms can come whenever they like and I sleep well.
I have a whole house suppressor but it's not meant for lightning strikes.
I have a whole house suppressor but it's not meant for lightning strikes.
I have three whole house surge suppressors, entry panel, solar panel, and subpanel (and lots of individual point of load suppressors), and I still unplug if I hear thunder.
This is a really good question. I assume it would be covered less your deductible up to whatever dollar amount is specified in your policy for this type of damage.this got me thinking, If we didn't have the Voltec Warranty and this happened, Would it be covered by home owners insurance like our other electronics, fridge, stove, microwave, computers, etc?
Glad you got it resolved. I recall reading a story on here a while back about a person who's car took almost a direct strike and most of the electronics were fried leading to the car being totaled by the insurance.
Have a quick storm about to blow through right now. Trying to figure out what's worse:
1. Leave car unplugged in an 87 degree garage
2. Plug car in and get hit by lightning.
My solution is to sit in car with it unplugged but on with the garage door open until the storm comes. Quite comfortable!
1. Leave car unplugged in an 87 degree garage
2. Plug car in and get hit by lightning.
My solution is to sit in car with it unplugged but on with the garage door open until the storm comes. Quite comfortable!
I would not be concerned, 87F is not too warm. In my garage on a hot day my garage reaches ~ 98F. When my Volt is parked inside my garage it takes 7 - 8 hours for the Volt's battery temperature to rise to where the fan and AC briefly come on to cool the battery pack. It takes a long time for the ambient air temperature to heat up a 500 lb battery pack.Have a quick storm about to blow through right now. Trying to figure out what's worse:
1. Leave car unplugged in an 87 degree garage
2. Plug car in and get hit by lightning.
My solution is to sit in car with it unplugged but on with the garage door open until the storm comes. Quite comfortable!
I would wait to charge until after the storm passes.
Thank you! It was 94 degrees outside when I pulled into the garage this afternoon and started charging. This was the first time I noticed the fans coming on while charging.I would not be concerned, 87F is not too warm. In my garage on a hot day my garage reaches ~ 98F. When my Volt is parked inside my garage it takes 7 - 8 hours for the Volt's battery temperature to rise to where the fan and AC briefly come on to cool the battery pack. It takes a long time for the ambient air temperature to heat up a 500 lb battery pack.
I would wait to charge until after the storm passes.
This line of storms is almost past me so I'll be charging again soon hopefully. Might not have a full charge by morning now. Can't wait to get my L2 installed! Thanks again - this forum is awesome!!!
21 - 33 of 33 Posts
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