Welding on vehicle

**journeyman Mick** · 15th January 2006, 05:26 PM

I was told years ago that when arc welding on a vehicle you need to remove the earth lead to prevent frying the diodes in the alternator. I also know that the earth clamp needs to be attached close to the weld site (to prevent nasties like stray current welding up a bearing). I've never had any problems as I've usually disconnected the battery and the alternator. I need to do some welding on the ute I've just bought (99 Rodeo 4x4 Turbo Diesel) and I'm pretty sure there's no computers on board (mechanical injection). Are these precautions enough or do I need to do more??? :confused: I really don't want to fry anything!

Mick

**Jim Carroll** · 15th January 2006, 05:39 PM

Mick if in doubt disconnect everything.
You can never tell with these newer cars as there is electronics everywhere.

**ozwinner** · 15th January 2006, 05:51 PM

You only need to disconect the earth to the battery, that way there is nothing that can make a circuit, no circuit, no fried stuff.

Al

**Greg Q** · 15th January 2006, 06:01 PM

Before you do....

If you have an old cigarette lighter plug from something (old phone charger?)
strip the leads and connect it to a 9v transistor battery, then plug it into the lighter. It will keep your radio station memory alive while you work on the vehicle.

Greg

**Landseka** · 16th January 2006, 11:56 AM

I have been told that the modern car computer is so vulnerable that in a workshop situation, eg panel beaters, the vehicle in the bay next to the one you are arc/mig welding on can sustain electrical damage. So much so that some shops routinely remove the main computer whilst the vehicle is in the shop.

Regards

Neil.

**ozwinner** · 16th January 2006, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Landseka

I have been told that the modern car computer is so vulnerable that in a workshop situation, eg panel beaters, the vehicle in the bay next to the one you are arc/mig welding on can sustain electrical damage. So much so that some shops routinely remove the main computer whilst the vehicle is in the shop.

Regards

Neil.

This sounds like one of them urban myths.
If it were the case, wouldnt there be a bloody great sticker somewhere on the vehicle warning of such??

Al :confused:

**RufflyRustic** · 16th January 2006, 01:19 PM

One for the mythbusters perhaps?

JourneyManMick, Mythbuster???

cheers
RR

**journeyman Mick** · 16th January 2006, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by rufflyrustic

One for the mythbusters perhaps?

JourneyManMick, Mythbuster???

cheers
RR

Yeah! Now who's going to donate a few cars and some explosives so I can start my new career?

Mick

**Daddles** · 16th January 2006, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Yeah! Now who's going to donate a few cars and some explosives so I can start my new career?

Mick

I nominate Tikki, Stoppers and Al to donate their vehicles to this worthy cause

My Falchoon of course, is below consideration

Richard

**Iain** · 17th January 2006, 06:59 AM

99 Rodeo, I'll guarantee there will be some electronics somewhere, pre heat timer would be micro processor controlled, my old Landcruiser had two electronic timers for the pre heat, one for the glow plugs, the other for the light on the dash, what an over complex circuit it was.
Then of course there is the intermittent wipers, indicators, I don't think they use bi metal any more, regulator etc etc.
All get a little concerned about a burst of high voltage, and glow plugs don't like it either (as I found out the hard way at about $50 each, a Landcruiser 60 series had 8 of the bloody things)

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