[AT] Electrical question

[pga2 at hot1.net]

my immediate response would've been "What needs to be done to simply
replace a bad battery"? This is really a dumb statement by a service
person that doesen't have the proper electronics background. Most
likely he was told in a training session somewhere that any "static
electricity spark" can blow the computer. This usually refers to
handling the actual circuit card while it is completely disconnected
from the vehicle. Otherwise, the sparks from simply turning on the
ignition (yeah, I know it's a Diesel but I don't know what else to
call it) switch would blow the computer, not to mention the sparks
from the starter brushes. Sounds like the same service writer that
told me "Champions don't work in a Ford".

Phil

----- Original Message -----
>From    : Dave Ernst <dadadidi at cccomm.net>
Sent    : Thu, 28 Oct 2004 16:35:22 -0700
To      : Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject : Re: [AT] Electrical question

Subject: [AT] Electrical question

> Disconnect field!?

Yea, just like the last time I had a problem with my Powerstroke.  The cam 
sensor quit when I was in the middle of nowhere and the computer shut off 
the engine. It would not start so I disconnected the batteries, waited a few 
minutes, put them back on and took off towards home. I had to do that 3 
times inorder to get it home. I told the Ford service people (mistake) what 
I had done and they threw a fit, saying I probably burnt up the computer. 
Asking why they said any spark could do it. I asked about using jumper 
cables and got another lecture. After that I wasn't about to tell them how 
many times that pickup has started tractors, bailers, swathers and such, not 
to mention the high HP chip..........
Dave