Freelander Service Procedures
GENERAL INFORMATION
03-19
Electrical precautions
General
The following guidelines are intended to ensure the
safety of the operator and ensure the prevention of
damage to the electrical and electronic components
fitted to the vehicle. Where necessary, specific
precautions are detailed in the individual procedures
of this manual.
Equipment
Prior to commencing any test procedure on the
vehicle, ensure that the relevant test equipment is
working correctly and any harness or connectors are
in good condition. It is particularly important to check
the condition of the lead and plugs of mains operated
equipment.
Polarity
Never reverse connect the vehicle battery and
always ensure the 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 contact other components, particularly
ECU's.
Exercise caution when measuring the voltage on the
coil terminals while the engine is running, high
voltage spikes can occur on these terminals.
Connectors and harnesses
The engine compartment of a vehicle is a particularly
hostile environment for electrical components and
connectors:
l
Always ensure electrically related items are dry
and oil free before disconnecting and
connecting test equipment.
l
Ensure disconnected multiplugs and sensors
are protected from being contaminated with oil,
coolant or other solutions. Contamination could
impair performance or result in catastrophic
failure.
l
Never force connectors apart using tools to
prise apart or by pulling on the wiring harness.
l
Always ensure locking tabs are disengaged
before disconnection, and match orientation to
enable correct reconnection.
l
Ensure that any protection (covers, insulation
etc.) is replaced if disturbed.
Having confirmed a component to be faulty:
l
Switch off the ignition and disconnect the
battery.
l
Remove the component and support the
disconnected harness.
l
When replacing the component, keep oily hands
away from electrical connection areas and push
connectors home until any locking tabs fully
engage.
Battery disconnection
Before disconnecting the battery, disable the alarm
system and switch off all electrical equipment. If the
radio is to be serviced, ensure the security code has
been deactivated.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to electrical
components, always disconnect the battery
when working on the vehicle's electrical system.
The ground lead must be disconnected first and
reconnected last.
CAUTION: Always ensure that battery leads are
routed correctly and are not close to any
potential chafing points.
Battery charging
Only recharge the battery with it removed from the
vehicle. Always ensure any battery charging area is
well ventilated and that every precaution is taken to
avoid naked flames and sparks.
Ignition system safety precautions
The vehicle's ignition system produces high voltages
and the following precautions should be observed
before carrying out any work on the system:
WARNING: Before commencing work on an
ignition system, ensure all high tension
terminals, adapters and diagnostic equipment
are adequately insulated and shielded to prevent
accidental personal contacts and minimise the
risk of shock. Wearers of surgically implanted
pacemaker devices should not be in close
proximity of ignition circuits or diagnostic
equipment.
