Welding and car electronics?

[red61cj5]

I need to repair the passenger side rocker on my kids 2012 civic, some deep scratches got rusty and proceeded to eat it up pretty badly. My question is how do I protect the cars electronics while welding. The welding forums are kinda all over the place about it. I have read everything from just disconnect the negative terminal to removing half the modules in the car. I'll be using my little Hobart Handler 140. Any help appreciated.

 

[zmotorsports]

If you read all of the warnings and listen the keyboard experts they'll have you removing most of the car just to do small tack weld. With RV forums it's even worse, they'll have you believe you will kill all of the occupants of the RV if you roll your welder anywhere near the coach without removing a dozen or so modules and once it hits the road you will kill entire cities full of people.

All I ever do is disconnect the batteries and the absolute most important thing is to put the ground as close to the actual work as possible without going through any bearings and/or wiring to seek the ground. There have been times I haven't even disconnected the batteries such as working on suspension items and can ground immediately at the point of work, but either way the grounding is the most critical thing to keep in mind. Close to the work and as clean as possible to ensure no transient current gets away from the work area as it tries to seek a ground.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

At the very least you should disconnect the battery and keep the ground nearest the work. With that said, there has been numerous times that I forgot to disconnect the battery and here were no issues. Was I lucky? Perhaps.

 

[f150skidoo]

If you read all of the warnings and listen the keyboard experts they'll have you removing most of the car just to do small tack weld. With RV forums it's even worse, they'll have you believe you will kill all of the occupants of the RV if you roll your welder anywhere near the coach without removing a dozen or so modules and once it hits the road you will kill entire cities full of people.

All I ever do is disconnect the batteries and the absolute most important thing is to put the ground as close to the actual work as possible without going through any bearings and/or wiring to seek the ground. There have been times I haven't even disconnected the batteries such as working on suspension items and can ground immediately at the point of work, but either way the grounding is the most critical thing to keep in mind. Close to the work and as clean as possible to ensure no transient current gets away from the work area as it tries to seek a ground.

I've done exactly what zmotorsports said on several different modern vehicles without any issues.

 

[no704]

At a bare minimum remove both battery terminals and tie them together. I used to work for a handicap van up fitter, we would disconnect everything and pull most of the modules. But we were plasma cutting out most of the frame and welding a new one in. Wouldn’t hurt to unplug at least the airbag and ECM modules.

 

[Joemctag]

If you read all of the warnings and listen the keyboard experts they'll have you removing most of the car just to do small tack weld. With RV forums it's even worse, they'll have you believe you will kill all of the occupants of the RV if you roll your welder anywhere near the coach without removing a dozen or so modules and once it hits the road you will kill entire cities full of people.

All I ever do is disconnect the batteries and the absolute most important thing is to put the ground as close to the actual work as possible without going through any bearings and/or wiring to seek the ground. There have been times I haven't even disconnected the batteries such as working on suspension items and can ground immediately at the point of work, but either way the grounding is the most critical thing to keep in mind. Close to the work and as clean as possible to ensure no transient current gets away from the work area as it tries to seek a ground.

Grind or sand down to bright steel and clamp on your ground clamp with vise-grips if the clamp’s spring isn’t grabbing hard.

 

[Merch1]

I’ve been hearing about the ‘disconnect the battery’ thing forever. Even did it myself. Can anybody show some kind of proof that it really helps?

 

[driftpin]

Screw the car's electronics, if I was using a welder and I had a pacemaker/defibrillator, I'd be more-concerned about my electronics!

 

[joel_400]

I've done exhaust work for years, most we've ever done was disconnect battery cables. Never had any issues, but always had a good ground close to where I was working, maybe that's the key since the current isn't looking for an easier path. Did have a buddy that builds street rods welding up seat brackets on some fancy Caddy seats he was installing blow an airbag in the seat. $500 mistake that almost broke his leg when he got pinched between it and the body. The seat was junk and had to be reupohlstered, in leather of course. Now he won't use fancy seats out of newer cars!
Joel

 

[Wiz02]

Screw the car's electronics, if I was using a welder and I had a pacemaker/defibrillator, I'd be more-concerned about my electronics!

You have no idea how right you are @driftpin! I am a Type 1 diabetic and was wearing an insulin pump the last time that I took a welding class. After running a small bead on a coupon, I stopped welding and happened to check the pump after it belatedly dawned on me that the electro-magnetic field from the welder might do a number on the insulin pump. Sure enough, the pump's display was just random pixels. I disconnected it, powered it off and put the pump about 10 ft. away from the welder. Luckily the pump didn't go crazy delivering too much insulin while I was welding, and it powered up just fine later on.

Today I wear a glucose sensor that can't be disconnected and reconnected. It is good for 10 days and then you replace it, plus it's not cheap, even with insurance, so you can't afford to remove it, do some welding and install a new one. I will have to ask the manufacturer about EMI protection for it, when I get a welder. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[American Locomotive]

I have personally never disconnected the battery on any vehicle I've ever welded on. Including welding on exhaust systems still attached to the engine. Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Jeep. Never had an issue.

Granted, none of them were a 2012 vehicle. The newest was a 6.0 Ford Diesel - which still has quite a few electronics.

I would think as long as your ground clamp is close to your work, there is really little issue.

 

[GaryM909]

I had a welding rig up until a couple weeks ago. It was a Dodge diesel with two batteries along a diesel welder with one battery. When fabbing on the deck I never disconnected any of the batteries and never had any problems. None of the rig welders I know ever disconnect their batteries.
Ground as close to your work as possible and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Walkers]

Yep, weld right on the tailgate of my pickup. Just don’t put things in between the circuit. Don’t clamp onto your ecm to weld the rocker panels. Keep the work clamp as close to the weld area as possible and you will be fine.

 

[driftpin]

You have no idea how right you are @driftpin! I am a Type 1 diabetic and was wearing an insulin pump the last time that I took a welding class. After running a small bead on a coupon, I stopped welding and happened to check the pump after it belatedly dawned on me that the electro-magnetic field from the welder might do a number on the insulin pump. Sure enough, the pump's display was just random pixels. I disconnected it, powered it off and put the pump about 10 ft. away from the welder. Luckily the pump didn't go crazy delivering too much insulin while I was welding, and it powered up just fine later on.

Today I wear a glucose sensor that can't be disconnected and reconnected. It is good for 10 days and then you replace it, plus it's not cheap, even with insurance, so you can't afford to remove it, do some welding and install a new one. I will have to ask the manufacturer about EMI protection for it, when I get a welder. Thanks for reminding me.

Glad to hear you survived. One of my friends has a defib/pacemaker. He's a retired stylist from the GM Tech Center. He had to get the OK from the manufacturer of his device to use the equipment he has, including a welder. Besides being a retired firefighter/paramedic, I'm also retired from full-time teaching EMT and paramedic students, and this subject was one of the things we discussed in class. I'm still a licensed paramedic.

One of the things you need to consider when using medical tools and the patient isn't reacting well to your treatment modalities is that you could be experiencing equipment failure, and that could be either yours or the patient's.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Must have installed a million flomaster dual exhaust systems, never disconnect a single battery.

Now with that being said, I‘ve had a steal braided brake line get so hot it melted the inner lining. I didn’t have the ground close enough to what I was welding, the brake line became the ground.

Since then, I disconnect the battery while welding. I don’t want me forgetting to move the ground, or not noticing a rubber bushing cause any damage.

I mentioned the rubber bushing because it could cause the route of the ground to go through who knows what.

 

[brandonsmash]

I always disconnect the battery. It's easy and free, and that way I know I'm not sending current back through sensitive systems.

Aside from that, just be aware of what's nearby. If I have to work near brake lines or wires I'll wrap those in foil (shiny side out) to help keep some of the heat off. I also make sure to have a welding blanket and a fire extinguisher nearby.

Just basic safety sense, really.

 

[tester19]

Never have unhooked anything and have welded on dozens of vehicles. Modern to old.
I look on that as wearing safety glasses while sitting in the Dentists chair. It's just not needed and it typical of people looking for problems that don't exist.
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