Welding and Airbags

[azredliner]

I'm getting ready to install some frame stiffeners and sliders on a 1999 Jeep XJ with airbags. I have heard of airbags going off while welding. Do I just disconnect the battery?

[Fire Ball]

I've never had one go off but if you are in the least bit concerned, by all means disconnect the battery. There are many people who suggest this anyway :)

[xjstocker]

the auto body repair industry recomends that you disconnect the battery if you are going to weld within 1 foot of any ecu. also with the airbags disconnect the battery for 90 seconds to discharge the capactiors in the system then you can work away.

[Hunter]

Welding on a vehicle with modern day electronics can always be a bit scary.

Some of it is urban folklore, some of it is very, very real. When you weld, a powerful current travels through the frame and electricty will usually take the shortest, and most direct flow... Usually. The problem is when people snap on the welding ground and start welding. Sometimes, it is easy to start welding along getting farther and farther away from the ground, having the current travel farther and farther, increaseing the likely hood that it will travel among the electrical system.

A good "bad"example of this? Someone clips on the passenger side to weld on the pass. portion. Then, rolls over to the other side to do the driver side... well now the current is traveling acorss the frame/body.

So, a good example when welding the stiffners is, would not to attach the ground to the vehicle, but the stiffner itself, in theory, there should be no current going through the vehcile.

If you cant clip it on, press it and hold against the part, or take some scrap metal and tack weld it on to make a "ground anchor". When you are done, just break it off and touch with a grinder.

[terron gregg]

wouldn't disconnecting the battery not allow the air bag to deploy as well though

[arczech]

We pulled the FUSES when working on our front, No problems and still have airbags.
Just my 2$ worth

[sjkimmel99]

So, a good example when welding the stiffners is, would not to attach the ground to the vehicle, but the stiffner itself, in theory, there should be no current going through the vehcile.

If you cant clip it on, press it and hold against the part, or take some scrap metal and tack weld it on to make a "ground anchor". When you are done, just break it off and touch with a grinder.

Get one of these ground blocks from a welding supply store (harbor freight has them too, I'm sure elsewhere.) You can either mount the ground cable directly to it or just clamp the ground to the threaded portion that sticks out. To Hunter's point, then all the current is going through the stiffener. Worked for me.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/30700-30799/30754.gif

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=30754

You might have to play with the threading on the center portion to make sure the center pin is out far enough and contacting the stiffener

[arczech]

Get one of these ground blocks from a welding supply store (harbor freight has them too, I'm sure elsewhere.) You can either mount the ground cable directly to it or just clamp the ground to the threaded portion that sticks out. To Hunter's point, then all the current is going through the stiffener. Worked for me.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/30700-30799/30754.gif

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=30754

You might have to play with the threading on the center portion to make sure the center pin is out far enough and contacting the stiffener



X2 on that also. I work with welders who like theese as well

[azredliner]

Thank you all for the excellent info! I took a welding magnet (the one that looks like an arrow and cleaned the paint from the sides and edges. Worked good for a ground.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii191/Arizona_Red_Leader/XJ%20Sliders/54fa9dea.jpg