Thread: Car won't stay cranked

Tweet

Ok, we had a very bad storm come through and lightening struck very close to my house. I had driven my van right before all of this happened. The next morning it cranked up and then just died. We figured out it was the fuel pump. We replaced it and it cranked for a few minutes then died and was doing the same thing again. It would turn over but not stay cranked. Well, we changed the fuel filter out and that didn't fix the problem. We had it put on a scope and come to find out it was the computer so we replaced that. Well, it cranks, but now it will only stay cranked for like 3 seconds then dies. And every time I crank it, it blows my ignition fuse. My dashboard lights won't come on either. (for example: the battery, check engine,ABS, oil light, etc.) It's got to be something electrical but we can't pin point it. Now, I've always heard your vehicle is grounded because of the tires, but I strongly believe that lightening done something to my van. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be?

**I hope that it's ok that I'm asking a question about my mini van. I recently asked about my headers glowing red on my TA and most of everyone said it was my timing, but come to find out my MAF sensor was bad. Thanks everyone!

HotRodHoney

Yep, sounds like induced electricity fried some electrical components. Ain't technology great?
I've seen a close lightning strike induce enough juice to kick the starter in on a tractor and start the engine! If it was left in gear, that sucker's gone!

Wow! That's something else. That lightening that struck by my house was so loud I bet I jumped 10 feet when it hit. It sounded just like glass was breaking. I thought sure enough it had busted out the windshields in my vehicles. But not only did it do damage to my van, it also got my computer and my ac unit. I live on a hill with several huge magnolia trees and I'm surrounded by chicken houses. I just wonder if that has anything to do with it. Anyways, thanks for the info guys. Y'all sure are nice and alot of help!

HotRodHoney

U just might wanna check out your fusible links.

ahhh computers suck

Two words for you---Lightning Rods! Or a tall metal flag pole near the house works too.