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aczeller
10-05-2007, 04:40 PM
quick question. let's say i'm trying to do an exhasut on a car with an ECU in it. is it possible to weld the pipe while it's on the car, and if so, is there anything i can do to minimise the chance that i'll ruin the ECU. i've heard rumors that if you try to weld on a car at all, you run the risk of frying the ECU, but i've also heard that there is no risk in it. i understand to have the ground about a foot away from the welding area, but coudl that still fry the ECU?

i know it sounds dumb, but i wat to make sure before i screw up my friend's car. i did mine by taking the parts and welding them on a table and bolting them up after it was welded, but there is a good chance she won't have the flanges to bolt it up after i were to weld it.

thanks,
andy
canyoncritter
10-09-2007, 10:00 PM
pull the leads off the battery, and unplug the 02 sensor, you should have no problems, my ranger still runs and drives, and my superduty did also that last time I seen it......and noth trucks have and had seen plenty of of the mig gun.
aczeller
10-09-2007, 10:36 PM
cool. that's all i needed to know. thanks!
Engloid
10-09-2007, 11:51 PM
I usually just unhook the battery and ground directly to the piece I'm welding on.
asemaster
10-10-2007, 10:40 PM
we have a special surge protector to hook to the battery for welding on our equipment and have had no problems ,most welding supliers have them and there cheep insurence
Mad about Metal
06-20-2010, 10:40 AM
I know it is an old threat but I am posting this to hopefully help anyone else who may have this problem... I am a fully qualified exhaust fitter, and I will tell you all now it is not a smart idea to weld on any car with the battery still attached with out a surge protector on there or the battery diconnected... If you take the disconnect battery method then make sure that if the terminals touch the metal body that only ONE of them is making contact or you run the risk of damage.. Once that is done feel free to weld away.. But remember that most new cars have security coded radios or CD players so make sure you know the code BEFORE you take the battery out other wise you are in for a ^&&@ time trying to get the code if your not a licenced repair person calling the manufacturor... Hope this helps!!!