Thread: PUMA Electrical Problems after some rear Chassis welding...

Originally Posted by roverrescue

Hi POD
Where/ What did you weld to fry the ECU
Had you disconnected batteries
Interested as I may have just been lucky

S

It was part of the process to replace a transfer-to-gearbox adaptor shaft with the ashcroft unit, don't recall the finer detail but it involved welding part of a puller in place to remove the original. Pretty sure we had disconnected the battery as that has always been my practice. Just trying to recall the detail, I think I had the earth lead of the arc welder clamped onto the part that was being welded, but I inadvertently struck an arc on the inside of the gearbox extension housing itself as I was getting into position, due to the awkward posture. I figured that was what did the damage. The vehicle cranked but refused to start at the end of the job. And no, a transit van ECU will not do the job.

Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

The guy that has done high level welding for me for many years will not weld on a vehicle unless the owner takes the alternator and batteries out first. People tell him this is no longer necessary. He tells them "take it elsewhere". He has been doing this for 50+ years and won't budge. Sick of being blamed for electrical problems.

It's an interesting question as to whether u disconnect the battery or not... I've always been told to but there more to it as there will always remain a certain amount of "stored energy" within the system (capacitors, etc) and these need to be drained as well. Logically if u are welding at the rear of the vehicle and keep the earth tail right near where u are welding, then u really shouldn't have any problems but as always there is murphys law and since disconnecting the battery is not a big thing then its always worth doing it...