Lightning Storm caused Lightning weirdness

[Heliian]

Interesting theory. You could test that with a gun shot. Magnum rifle, 12 ga, etc. Something loud.

Youd have to be close though, the pressure waves from a lightning bolt are orders of magnitude higher.

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[chl]

So I think like others above said, it was a most likely false positive by the ultra-sonic parking assist and collision sensors which were triggered by the thunder clap (air pressure change) and thought the truck was near an object or obstruction.

Did the effect happen almost immediately after the flash or when the thunder sound waves reached trhe vehicle?

If the flash, then EMP or EM interference. If the sound, the sonic sensors were triggered. Sound / pressure waves travel considerably slower then EMP / EM waves.

Apparently it can also happen during a heavy downpour or when hail is falling.

Although the truck is a big metal box, with all the wiring it is NOT impervious to EMP or radio frequency interference with its electronics. Large windows will allow the invisible waves to penetrate.

But all modern cars and trucks with electronics are vulnerable to such things.

There was a US EMP commission study that found many effects on vehicles from EMPs.

And some 'survivalists have taken measure to EMP proof their vehicles - yes in case of nuclear war (assuming they are not in the crater) or other EMP producing weapon attack.

But even emergency prep orgs have looked into it:

https://www.mirasafety.com/blogs/news/best-emp-proof-vehicles

 

[chl]

Essentially, if you are worried about EMP, keep that old clunker - it is less vulnerable.

 

[gletob]

Essentially, if you are worried about EMP, keep that old clunker - it is less vulnerable.

Came here to say this. If you're worried about very unlikely issues caused by EMI, get something with a carburetor, but plan out the maintenance and fuel costs wisely, might be a lot cheaper to take the risk with the Lightning (both kinds).

 

[Runaway Tractor]

If it's close enough for inductive current to damage the electronic systems of the truck while you're driving, that damage is the least of the problems you'll be experiencing...

 

[RLXXI]

It might be worth noting that modern ICE vehicles depend just as completely on electronics as EVs do; a serious electrical failure would equally stop either one.

I think @RickLightning's suggestion of strong electrical interference breaking Android Auto's wireless connection is very likely right. (Good thinking!) My AA tends to lose connection for no apparent reason sometimes, and the EMP from a nearby lightning strike is a pretty good reason.

Had a fairly new powerstroke diesel F350 in with a no start concern, customer stated lightning strike on the ground about 5' away, after much diag I found the exhaust back pressure sensor got zapped thru the exhaust pipe and wiped out the vref for the entire truck.

About $6,000 iirc in damage with modules and various sensors.

EDIT: To add that was 20 years ago pricing.

 

[chl]

Had a fairly new powerstroke diesel F350 in with a no start concern, customer stated lightning strike on the ground about 5' away, after much diag I found the exhaust back pressure sensor got zapped thru the exhaust pipe and wiped out the vref for the entire truck.

About $6,000 iirc in damage with modules and various sensors.

EDIT: To add that was 20 years ago pricing.

A large induced current from a close strike is a concern for anything electronic for sure.

Also a strike to the vehicle or the earth really nearby can cause a strong current to flow through the vehicle body and vehicle wiring which could do a lot of damage. Things could catch on fire, tires could explode. Lightning can pass through glass. Windows can shatter from the large current flowing through defroster wires.

A nearby lightning strike in my back yard fried electronics in our home PCs by traveling through the telephone wires from the yard to at least one modem card which it fried then it went down the coax LAN cable and took out all the LAN cards in all the other PCs connected to the LAN.

A week later a roof fan was hit and the current fused its service panel circuit breaker in a short condition then followed the branch circuit wiring to a wall outlet which it fried, and then fried the printer server PC plugged in to the outlet, then followed the coax LAN wiring from the print server and fried the LAN cards I had just put in the other PCs the week before.

Could have been a house fire, but I got lucky.

I now unplug all the power and LAN cables to my computer when electrical storms approach.

https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-cars

 

[SLTX]

I think y'all are correct with the sonic shockwave triggering the parking sensor cameras. Makes sense as we did feel the shockwave in the truck.

Thanks y'all!!

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