Troubleshooting Tools; Intermittent And Poor Connections - Chrysler 1998 Viper RT/10 Owner's Manual

8W - 01 - 8
8W - 01 GENERAL INFORMATION
S R
D E S C R I P T I O N A N D O P E R A T I O N ( C o n t i n u e d )
W A R N I N G : T O P R E V E N T S E R I O U S B U R N S , A V O I D
C O N T A C T W I T H H O T P A R T S S U C H A S T H E R A D I A -
T O R , E X H A U S T M A N I F O L D ( S ) , T A I L P I P E , C A T A -
L Y T I C C O N V E R T E R , A N D M U F F L E R .
W A R N I N G : D O N O T A L L O W F L A M E O R S P A R K S
N E A R T H E B A T T E R Y . G A S E S A R E A L W A Y S
P R E S E N T IN A N D A R O U N D T H E B A T T E R Y .
W A R N I N G : A L W A Y S R E M O V E R I N G S , W A T C H E S ,
L O O S E H A N G I N G J E W E L R Y , A N D L O O S E C L O T H -
I N G .
TAKE OUTS
The • • abbreviation T/O is used i n the component
location section to indicate a point i n w h i c h the w i r -
i n g harness branches out to a component.
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD) SENSITIVE
DEVICES
A l l ESD sensitive components are solid state and a
symbol (Fig. 4) is used to indicate this. When han-
d l i n g any component w i t h this symbol comply w i t h
the following procedures to reduce the possibility of
electrostatic charge b u i l d up on the body and inad-
vertent discharge into the component. I f i t is not
k n o w n whether the part is ESD sensitive, assume
t h a t i t is.
(1) Always touch a k n o w n good ground before han-
d l i n g the part. This should be repeated while han-
d l i n g the part and more frequently after sliding
across a seat, s i t t i n g down from a standing position,
or w a l k i n g a distance.
(2) Avoid touching electrical terminals of the part,
unless instructed to do so by a w r i t t e n procedure.
(3) When using a voltmeter, be sure to connect the
ground lead first.
(4) Do not remove the part from its protective
packing u n t i l i t is time to i n s t a l l the part.
(5) Before removing the p a r t from its package,
ground the package to a k n o w n good ground on the
vehicle.
D I A G N O S I S A N D T E S T I N G
TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS
W h e n diagnosing a problem i n an electrical circuit
there are several common tools necessary. These tools
are listed and explained below.
• Jumper Wire - This is. a test w i r e used to con-
nect two points of a circuit. I t can be used to bypass
an open i n a circuit.
948W-193
Fig. 4 Electrostatic Discharge Symbol
W A R N I N G : N E V E R U S E A J U M P E R W I R E A C R O S S
A L O A D , S U C H A S A M O T O R , C O N N E C T E D
B E T W E E N A B A T T E R Y F E E D A N D G R O U N D .
• Voltmeter - Used to check for voltage on a cir-
cuit. Always connect the black lead to a k n o w n good
ground and the red lead to the positive side of the
circuit.
C A U T I O N : Most of t h e e l e c t r i c a l c o m p o n e n t s u s e d
in t o d a y ' s v e h i c l e a r e s o l i d s t a t e . W h e n c h e c k i n g
v o l t a g e s i n t h e s e c i r c u i t s u s e a meter with a 1 0 - m e -
g o h m or greater i m p e d a n c e rating.
• Ohmmeter - Used to check the resistance
between two points of a circuit. Low or no resistance
i n a circuit means good continuity.
C A U T I O N : - Most of t h e e l e c t r i c a l c o m p o n e n t s u s e d
in t o d a y ' s v e h i c l e a r e S o l i d S t a t e . W h e n c h e c k i n g
r e s i s t a n c e in t h e s e c i r c u i t s u s e a meter with a 10-
m e g o h m or greater i m p e d a n c e rating. In addition,
m a k e s u r e the p o w e r i s d i s c o n n e c t e d f r o m t h e cir-
cuit. C i r c u i t s that a r e p o w e r e d u p by t h e v e h i c l e
e l e c t r i c a l s y s t e m c a n c a u s e d a m a g e to t h e e q u i p -
m e n t a n d p r o v i d e f a l s e r e a d i n g s .
• Probing Tools - These tools are used for probing
terminals i n connectors (Fig. 5). Select the proper
size tool from Special Tool Package 6807, and insert
i t into the t e r m i n a l being tested. Use the other end
of the tool to insert the meter probe.
INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS
Most i n t e r m i t t e n t electrical problems are caused
by faulty electrical connections or w i r i n g . I t is also
possible for a sticking component or relay to cause a
problem. Before condemning a component or w i r i n g
assembly check the following items.
• Connectors are fully seated
• Spread terminals, or t e r m i n a l push out
• Terminals i n the w i r i n g assembly are fully
seated into the connector/component and locked i n
position