199002773 - INTRODUCTION - ENGINE STARTING

WARNINGS

Never attempt to start the engine with the battery earth lead slack: this could cause severe damage to the vehicle electric and electronic components and wiring.Never pull cables or wiring with force, as this could disconnect the cables from their connections or terminals.Disconnect all the control units and electronic devices before carrying out arc-welding operations on the bodywork.Before replacing a fuse, check that the protected circuit is not faulty.When replacing fuses, make sure that the new fuse is of the correct amp. rating. Do not use fuses with a higher or lower amp. rating.

PRECAUTIONS

When working on electrical components, the following precautions must be strictly observed:

• Remove rings, wrist watches or other metal objects.
• Before working on the electrical system (connectors, electrical components, wiring etc.), turn the ignition off (STOP position) and disconnect the battery.
• Warning electrical arcs: in spite of the electrical system voltage being only 12V, the power of the battery can cause high currents in the case of short circuits, producing arcs or sparks which could constitute a risk to the operator or start a fire.
• Warning high voltage: the electronic ignition system generates voltages of 20,000 V and higher which could be very dangerous to people, especially if suffering from a heart condition. Take great care when working on or near the components.
• Avoid fires. Do not smoke when working near the battery or components which warm up during operation (e.g. halogen lamps), or in the engine compartment area if the engine is still hot.