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Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? #1785763 03/22/15 02:44 PM 03/22/15 02:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA Kern Dog OP Striving for excellence
Kern Dog OP Striving for excellence Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA	What precautions should be taken when welding mufflers into a new car? Exhaust shops do this all the time but I am concerned about frying the electronics. Is is enough to just disconnect the battery? I want to change to aftermarket mufflers in my 2015 Challenger but I surely do NOT want to burn up the multiple computers in this thing.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Kern Dog] #1785764 03/22/15 03:31 PM 03/22/15 03:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,459 oklahoma F forphorty pro stock
forphorty pro stock F Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,459 oklahoma	I work in a body shop. I weld on modern cars all the time. I don't disconnect the battery either. Maybe I'm being reckless, but I've never had a problem in 20+ years.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: forphorty] #1785765 03/22/15 04:00 PM 03/22/15 04:00 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada S Stanton Don't question me!
Stanton Don't question me! S Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada	Yep, you're being reckless !! There is a gizmo that can be connected to the battery so it doesn't have to be disconnected since a lot of newer cars have all sorts of things go berserk if the battery is disconnected. If you don't have the gizmo, don't take a chance on screwing up someone's car, disconnect the battery.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785766 03/22/15 04:13 PM 03/22/15 04:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN A ahy master
ahy master A Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN	I remove battery negative and make sure the welder has a good clean ground. No problems on newer cars or older cars with added electronics.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785767 03/22/15 05:14 PM 03/22/15 05:14 PM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA Kern Dog OP Striving for excellence
Kern Dog OP Striving for excellence Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA	Quote: Yep, you're being reckless !! There is a gizmo that can be connected to the battery so it doesn't have to be disconnected since a lot of newer cars have all sorts of things go berserk if the battery is disconnected. If you don't have the gizmo, don't take a chance on screwing up someone's car, disconnect the battery. Someone had a post in the General Forum months ago regarding a battery replacement in a late model Dodge. I thought the speedometer read an error afterwards, requiring a reflash from the dealer. This sucks. The Finance guy said this car had 8 computers in it as he was pushing the aftermarket warranty. I am in unknown territory on this one.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Kern Dog] #1785768 03/22/15 06:12 PM 03/22/15 06:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada S Stanton Don't question me!
Stanton Don't question me! S Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada	If you do it for a living its worth looking into that gizmo I was mentioning. I'll see if I can find out exactly what its called. Likely a Snap-on item.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785769 03/22/15 06:20 PM 03/22/15 06:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada S Stanton Don't question me!
Stanton Don't question me! S Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada	Its a "spike protector" and a quick google search found these. Pretty cheap insurance I'd say !! http://www.centurytool.net/System_Protectors_And_Zap_Protection_s/46118.htm

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785770 03/22/15 06:31 PM 03/22/15 06:31 PM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 6,567 Downtown Roebuck Ont Twostick Still wishing...
Twostick Still wishing... Joined: May 2003 Posts: 6,567 Downtown Roebuck Ont	A good idea to disconnect the battery. The welder ground should be as close to where you are welding as is practical. If you are welding in a muffler, I would have the ground clamp on the pipe I was welding on a foot or 2 away. Kevin

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785771 03/22/15 06:37 PM 03/22/15 06:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md 3 383man Too Many Posts
383man Too Many Posts 3 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md	The little welding I did over the years as a tech never seemed to hurt anything but I always unhooked the battery. I can tell you that I had a 2008 Durango towed in the shop that would not run and had been hit by lightening as it hit the radio antenna and burnt it half way off. I ended up having to replace every computer on the truck and also every pressure type of sensor like the MAP sensor , AC pressure transducer sensor , trans pressure sensor and any other sensor that measured any type of presure. That lightening took out alot. Other problem was it took out both computers (cluster and TIPM) that held all the info and options on the truck so I had to download all that info from Chrysler by the VIN. Ron Last edited by 383man; 03/22/15 06:39 PM.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785772 03/22/15 07:56 PM 03/22/15 07:56 PM
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,459 oklahoma F forphorty pro stock
forphorty pro stock F Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,459 oklahoma	Quote: Its a "spike protector" and a quick google search found these. Pretty cheap insurance I'd say !! http://www.centurytool.net/System_Protectors_And_Zap_Protection_s/46118.htm

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: forphorty] #1785773 03/22/15 09:42 PM 03/22/15 09:42 PM
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,865 MI, usa dvw master
dvw master Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,865 MI, usa	Worked as tech for over 30 years, never disconnected the battery. Never had any issues. Doug

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: dvw] #1785774 03/22/15 10:31 PM 03/22/15 10:31 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada S Stanton Don't question me!
Stanton Don't question me! S Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,902 Ontario, Canada	Yeah well you only have to smoke a customer's computer once to realize that spending $20 "just in case" might not have been such a bad idea !!!

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785775 03/22/15 10:43 PM 03/22/15 10:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 35 IN F formerratman member
formerratman member F Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 35 IN	Disconnecting the battery will do absolutely nothing to protect vehicle electronics from a voltage spike introduced into the electrical system from welding -unless you are welding a post back onto the battery.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Stanton] #1785776 03/22/15 11:49 PM 03/22/15 11:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,865 MI, usa dvw master
dvw master Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,865 MI, usa	Quote: Yeah well you only have to smoke a customer's computer once to realize that spending $20 "just in case" might not have been such a bad idea !!! If it ever happens I'll let you know. Have you ever damaged one? Doug

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: dvw] #1785777 03/23/15 12:11 AM 03/23/15 12:11 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 18,678 Fresno, CA Jim_Lusk I Live Here
Jim_Lusk I Live Here Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 18,678 Fresno, CA	Check with local muffler shops. I don't believe many (if any) do anything short of making sure there are no fuel leaks.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: dvw] #1785778 03/23/15 12:11 AM 03/23/15 12:11 AM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,923 new berlin wisconsin M Mr T2U master
Mr T2U master M Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,923 new berlin wisconsin	Quote: Worked as tech for over 30 years, never disconnected the battery. Never had any issues. Doug also been a auto body tech for over 30 years. never have disconnected anything before welding. burned a few interiors but never had any electrical problems. I always put the ground clamp about 1' away from the welding area. perception is 90% of reality

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: forphorty] #1785779 03/23/15 12:28 AM 03/23/15 12:28 AM
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas	Quote: I work in a body shop. I weld on modern cars all the time. I don't disconnect the battery either. Maybe I'm being reckless, but I've never had a problem in 20+ years. Same here I have done LOTS of welding on 07+ Wranglers with the battery hooked up. Up to and including an entire roll cage, no issues. 1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi 2020 RAM 1500 [img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Mr T2U] #1785780 03/23/15 01:30 AM 03/23/15 01:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 35 IN F formerratman member
formerratman member F Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 35 IN	Quote: Quote: Worked as tech for over 30 years, never disconnected the battery. Never had any issues. Doug also been a auto body tech for over 30 years. never have disconnected anything before welding. burned a few interiors but never had any electrical problems. I always put the ground clamp about 1' away from the welding area. Exactly.

Re: Welding exhaust on a computer controlled car? [Re: Twostick] #1785781 03/23/15 03:12 AM 03/23/15 03:12 AM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6,516 Santa Cruz, California L Lefty master
Lefty master L Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6,516 Santa Cruz, California	Quote: A good idea to disconnect the battery. The welder ground should be as close to where you are welding as is practical. If you are welding in a muffler, I would have the ground clamp on the pipe I was welding on a foot or 2 away. Kevin I do the same - get the ground clamp as near to the weld spot as I can and disconnect the battery. I've never zapped anything but I don't weld on the newer computer infested cars.

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