Electrical Precautions: General

The following guidelines are intended to ensure the safety of the operator whilst preventing damage to the electrical and electronic components fitted to the vehicle. Where necessary, specific precautions are detailed in the relevant sections of this document, reference to these precautions should be made prior to commencing repair operations.

Equipment - Prior to commencing any test procedure on the vehicle, ensure that the relevant test equipment is working correctly and any harnesses or connections are in good condition. This particularly applies to mains lead or connections.

WARNING: Before commencing work on an ignition system, all high tension terminals, adaptors and diagnostic equipment for testing should be inspected to ensure that they are adequately insulated and shielded to prevent accidental personal contact and to minimize the risk of shock. Wearers of surgically implanted pacemaker devices should not work in close proximity to ignition circuits or diagnostic equipment.

Polarity - Never reverse connect the vehicle battery and always observe correct polarity when connecting test equipment.

High Voltage Circuits - Whenever disconnecting live ht circuits, always use insulated pliers and never allow the open end of the ht lead to come into contact with other components, particularly ECU's. Since high voltage spikes can occur on the terminals of the coil while the engine is running, exercise caution when measuring the voltage at these points.

WARNING: The Xenon headlamp system generates up to 28,000 V and contact with this voltage could lead to fatality. Make sure that the headlamps are switched off before working on the system. Refer to the guidelines given in GENERAL INFORMATION before any work is carried out.

Connectors and Harnesses - The engine compartment of a vehicle is a particularly hostile environment for electrical components and connectors. Always ensure these items are dry and oil free before disconnecting and connecting test equipment. Never force connectors apart either by using tools or by pulling on the wiring harness. Always ensure locking tabs are disengaged before removal and note orientation to enable correct reconnection. Ensure that any protective covers and substances are replaced if disturbed.