Because of the nature of alternator design, special care must be taken when
servicing the charging system:
- Battery polarity should be checked before any connections, such as jumper
cables or battery charger leads, are made. Reversed battery connections will
damage the diode rectifiers.
- The battery must never be disconnected while the alternator is running,
because the regulator will be ruined.
- Always disconnect the battery ground cable before replacing the alternator.
- Do not attempt to polarize an alternator.
- Do not short across or ground any alternator terminals.
- Always disconnect the battery ground cable before removing the alternator
output cable, whether the engine is running or not.
- If electric arc welding equipment is to be used on the car, first disconnect
the battery and alternator cables. Never start the engine with the electric
arc welding equipment attached.
- If the battery is to be quick-charged, disconnect the positive cable from
the battery.
- Do not use any type of high voltage resistance tester in the electrical
circuits of the car, while the alternator is connected.
