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Welding precautions Audi A6??
MikeCapon - 5/8/12 at 12:04 PM

Hi all,

An urgent call for help. Again... I've got a broken exhaust on Swmbo's car. An oldish (04) A6 TDi. Can I just dive in with the mig and weld the break or do I need to disconnect stuff? ECU? Battery????

And, like they do she's waiting to use the car and looking at her watch...

Ta muchly in advance,

Mike

BigFaceDave - 5/8/12 at 12:13 PM

Just in case I would disconect the battery, I have seen one or 2 cars and lorrys have major gremlins after being welded without disconecting the battery!

MikeCapon - 5/8/12 at 12:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by BigFaceDave
Just in case I would disconect the battery, I have seen one or 2 cars and lorrys have major gremlins after being welded without disconecting the battery!


Cheers Dave, No need to unplug the ECU??

BigFaceDave - 5/8/12 at 12:22 PM

Not sure really, I have never bothered but all the cars I have welded up have been older cars although we have had to weld a nut on locking wheel nuts from time to time on quite modern cars and we have never bothered and dont seem to have had any problems but im no expert! there may be someone along in a minute to tell you otherwise!

Mark Allanson - 5/8/12 at 12:34 PM

You should put a VEHICLE WELDING SPOKE and SURGE ECU PROTECTOR KIT | eBay across the battery, if you don't have one, disconnect the battery, keep the keys WELL away from the car and welder and DEFINITELY out of the ignition, keep the earth clamp as close to the weld area as you can.

Mark Allanson - 5/8/12 at 12:38 PM

Cheaper Still

flibble - 5/8/12 at 12:48 PM

Curious as to what might be in that little yellow box?

Mark Allanson - 5/8/12 at 12:51 PM

I suspect a very large capacitor and diodes for wrong polarity protection

MikeCapon - 5/8/12 at 01:14 PM

Thank you all very much. Battery disconnected it is then. Keys a long way away. Earth clamp on the exhaust next to break and ZAP!!

Much appreciated,

Mike

tonym - 5/8/12 at 01:14 PM

Just to be on the safe side I would definatly dissconnect the ECU, and the battery and pull the plug on the altenator. make sure you have a good earth near where you are welding and make sure it cannot earth through bearings, wiring and throttle cables or brake pipes and things like that.

MikeRJ - 5/8/12 at 02:11 PM

If you are welding the exhaust and you have the earth clamp on the exhaust there is little scope for stray currents. welding the exhaust with the clamp on some bodywork would be almost guaranteed to fry something.