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MIG welding on a modern car
02GF74 - 10/7/13 at 07:25 AM

intend to do some MIG welding on volvo 850 (door hinge) - lots of electronics e.g. ecu and abs .... so plan is to undo the battery earth lead and remove connectors to the ecu/abs + maybe remove the radio/cd player.

any other precautions to take?


(.... there appears to be an alternative repair using a bolt or 2 to hold a the door stay in place but seems fiddly to do)
ta.

[PS I have the radio code ]

[Edited on 10/7/13 by 02GF74]


AndyW - 10/7/13 at 07:37 AM

make sure you have the radio code if it has one!


MikeRJ - 10/7/13 at 07:40 AM

Get the earth clamp as close as possible to the place you are welding and you shouldn't have any problems.


Litemoth - 10/7/13 at 09:48 AM

As has been said, so long as you disconnect the battery and place the earth clamp local to the job, I've always found that welding is well tolerated and does not blow electronics to smithereens.

Do put the clamp on the side of the hinge you're welding as drawing current across the hinge pin can cause you to have a permanently open door


02GF74 - 10/7/13 at 11:14 AM

panic over - it was far easier to drill into the catch base place, tap and fit m5 bolt with penny washer then attempt to weld a thick piece of steel to thin body work. (saved me lugging the MIG out the garage and messing around trying to grind the paint off to bare metal ... )

you can see the 2 bolts, painted, below. .... exzcept you can't coz this section doesd not allow attachments ..... give me a minute .....



[Edited on 10/7/13 by 02GF74]