Okay, looks like before I figure out how to weld half a rear of Firebird onto my Firebird, I need to do some emergency welding on my quarter, first. (Inner wheel well crack is almost cracked all the way through, don't want to know what happens when it goes all the way!) Just want to make sure I'm on the right track so I don't burn up my computer or harness or all the sensors!

So... say I disconnect the battery, and unplug the computer from it's harness, and remove the fuses from the fuse box (ex, radio). Now say I attach the ground electrode of the MIG as close as possible to the welding area. Will I fry any sensors, or any piece of the harness? I'd rather not torch my alternator or ignition module or MAF or VSS (back of speedometer, cable driven) by welding. Think I'd be safe? Thanks!!

 

Just unplug the battery cables and remove it.Make sure there is no part of the harness where you are going to weld,along with other lines (brake or fuel),wires,carpet,etc.That is about all you will have to worry about.Make sure you have a good clean spot for the ground clamp and where you are gonna weld also and you will be fine.

 

When me and my dad did some welding on the frame we just unkooked the battery and it was fine. We even forgot the unhook it for the first few welds we did.

 

Cool, thanks, guys! I'll take some pictures of the whole operation. In case you haven't seen my agony yet, here's some pics of it! Notice the crack in the 1/4 panel wheel lip. Well, notice where the white box is for "spawned from a"? That whole piece moves when I pull up on it. (That's the piece between the rear tire and back of the door.)

 

i've welded on hundreds of cars and trucks and have never hurt any electronics...yet

 

As long as you disconnect the battery you should be fine. No problem with being too safe though.

 

I used to work in a muffler shop back in the early 80s. We welded exhaust systems all day, every day and never disconnected any electronics.

 

Thanks again guys! I'll take some before/after pics of the "emergency weld job". It's gonna be scary when I grind away that panel between the tire and door... I don't want to know what kind of crack is behind that piece!