Why you should disconnect the battery when working under the hood

[Jim Yergin]

Today I discovered oil leaking under my '41 P12. On closer inspection I could see that one of the oil lines to my filter had a pin hole leak. At first I couldn't figure out how that could happen since it certainly couldn't rust out from inside the line full of oil. Then I remembered that yesterday I had to re-attach the gas pedal rod to the carb linkage. In doing so I accidently touched the battery cable terminal on the starter with the rod. I guess the rod must have also been touching the oil line and the short caused the pin hole. Next time I will be sure to disconnect the battery.

Jim Yergin

[randroid]

Jim,

Good thing you're observant! Nice work on finding a leak that's difficult to spot.

-Randy

[Don Coatney]

Jim;

Thanks for sharing! I have made a few of the same mistakes. All readers of this forum should take heed. One short circuit across the starter solenoid could spin the engine and roll a car off the jack stands and drop it before the person under the car knows it happened. You were lucky it only flashed a hole in your oil line.

[Norm's Coupe]

I've always said if you're careful, you can leave the battery hooked up, even when working on the electrical. But.........a couple of years ago I was under the dash doing something and needed to hook something up to the ignition switch. Didn't want to take the time to disconnect the battery, so told myself as long as I don't ground the wrench I didn't need to disconnect the switch. Well.........guess I wasn't careful enough as I grounded the wrench accidentally and made some nice big sparks in the process. Luckily I didn't hurt anything doing it though, except my pride.

[Rollie���]

Don,

That's some serious advise! I don't know how many times I've had the car lunge when going to start it because I've forgot to push the clutch in ( best to park it in gear, right?). Speaking for myself I'm not used to a car with a clutch in combo without the starter safety switch. One short across the starter solenoid would be something that most of us wouldn't contemplate while having the car up on stands, at least for me.

Thanks for the heads up on a very dangerous situation Don!

Jim;

Thanks for sharing! I have made a few of the same mistakes. All readers of this forum should take heed. One short circuit across the starter solenoid could spin the engine and roll a car off the jack stands and drop it before the person under the car knows it happened. You were lucky it only flashed a hole in your oil line.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Rollie���