1997 ASTON MARTIN DB7 battery replacement

[EM^^^

Electrics
Wiper Motor / Alternator - Removal Procedures
6.2.01 Windscreen Wiper Motor 6.3.01 Alternator
Procedure

1.
Disconnect the battery.

2.
Disconnect the wiper motor multi-plug.
3. Remove the nut and lockplate (Fig 1-1) from the
motor gearbox shaft and release the drive bracket
from the shaft.
Figure 1. Windscreen Wiper Motor

4.
Remove three nuts (Fig
1
-2) and remove the motor
from its mounting bracket.
Procedure

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Using a 3/8" ratchet handle, release the drive belt

tension.
Slip the belt from the water pump drive
pulley and from the alternator drive pulley.
3. Release the ignition leads from the support on the
alternator top mounting.

4.
Remove the alternator output lead cover, remove
the nut and washers and disconnect the alternator
output
lead.

5. Disconnect the electrical plug on the rear of the
alternator.
6. Remove the alternator lower mounting bolt.
Figure 1. Alternator Mountings
7. Loosen the alternator upper mounting bolt, support
the alternator, remove the upper bolt and the
alternator.
Replacement is the reverse of the removal procedure. The
drive belt is tensioned automatically by the spring loaded
idler on refitting the main drive belt.
May 1996 6-5

Electrics
Starter Motor / Steering Wheel - Removal Procedures ^n:M3^^2?
6.3.02 Starter Motor
Procedure

1.
Disconnect the battery.

2.
Remove the inlet air trunkins
Figure 1. Starter Motor Mountings
3. Disconnect the starter solenoid connector and the
starter motor power lead at the solenoid.

4.
Remove the top starter motor securing bolt.
Note:
The
top bolt is from tlie
engine
side on auto
cars

and from ttie gearbox side on manual cars.
5. Raise the car on a hoist and whilst supporting the
motor, remove the lower starter motor securing
bolt.
6. Lift the motor from the bell housing and remove it
from the vehicle by positioning it vertically and
lowering it down in front of the oil filter.
6.5.01 Steering
Wheel and Horn
Switches
Procedure

1.
Remove the steering wheel centre pad.
Figure 1. Steering Wheel and Horn
2. Mark the position of the steering wheel relative to
the steering column to ensure correct replacement.
3. Removethesteeringwheelsecuringnutand remove
the steering wheel.
6.5.02 Column Switches
Procedure

1.
Remove the steering wheel.

2.
Remove three screws and the column switch cover.

1^

Figure 1. Column Mounted Switches
3. Cut the tywraps securing the switch loom to the
steering column. Disconnect the loom plugs.

4.
Release 4 screws and
1
ift the switch assembly off the
steering column.
6-6 May 1996

^7
Electrics
Airbag System

6.4.21.2
Airbag 'Safing' Sensor Renew
Read and adhere to all warnings and safety
procedures quoted at the start of this section when
working on the airbag system.

1.
Disconnect the battery and wait for at least one
minute before working on the airbag system.
Note:
The
vehicle battery must be disconnected within
12 secondsofswitchingoffthe ignition to avoid the alarm
siren sounding.
^h
Note: RH drive shown,
the safing sensor is
always
on
the drivers side
of the car
2. Open the drivers door and remove the lower 'A'
post
trim.

3. Release two screws retaining the airbag safing
sensor.

4.
Disconnect and remove the airbag safing sensor.
5. Connectand securethe replacement sensor. Replace
the 'A' post
trim.

Note:
The
vehicle clock and
the
window control unit will
need
resetting
after completion of
this
procedure.
6. Reconnect the battery, switch on the ignition and
check that the airbag warning
I
ight comes on when
the ignition is switched on and extinguishes after
approximately six seconds indicating satisfactory
completion of the airbag system self tests.

6.4.21.1

Renew
Airbag Diagnostic Module

1.

2.

3.

4.

6.
7.
Read and adhere to all warnings and safety
procedures quoted at the start of this section when
working on the airbag system.
Disconnect the battery and wait for at least one
minute before working on the airbag system.
Note: The vehicle battery must
be
disconnected within
l2secondsofswitchingofftheignitiontoavoidthealarm

siren
sounding.
Disarm the airbags (6.4.21.4).
Remove the facia assembly.
Note: RH drive shown,
diagnostic module always on

passengers
side of
the
car
Disconnect the airbag control module (Fig 1-1).
Release the module from the top of the airbag
carrier assembly and remove the module.
Refit and secure the replacement airbag control
module and connect the harness connector.
Refit the facia assembly.
Rearm the airbags (6.4.21.4).
Note:
The
vehicle clock and
the
window control unit will
need
resetting
after completion of this procedure.
September 1996 6-77

Electrics
Airbag System ^?
Airbag DM Fault Code 51
Airbag diagnostic module - thermal fuse blown.
WARNING: The diagnostic module will blow the
internal fuse whenever a short circuit to ground
occurs in the deployment circuits. Itdoesnotblow
because of
excessive
current
flow.
The thermal
fuse is not a serviceable item. No attempt should
be made to replace or
bypass
the fuse.
WARNING: Do not install a new diagnostic
module until the short has been located and
corrected. A short which goes away before
corrective action has been taken must be regarded
asan intermittentfault. Installinga newdiagnostic
module when there is an intermittent fault will
result in repeated diagnostic module failures and
repeated repairs.
Fault Analysis
Disarm the airbag system and fit airbag simulators
(6.4.21.4).
Inspecttheconnectorsandterminalsfor any foreign
metal objects or damaged terminals which could
be the cause of the short circuit.
Check each of the circuits in the possible causes list
and isolate the intermittent short circuit. Rectify the
fault.
See the warnings above about replacement of
diagnostic modules when intermittent shorts are
present.
Replace the diagnostic module.
Reconnect all components and rearm the airbags
(6.4.21.4).
Normal Operation
In order to prevent airbag deployment in the event
of a short circuit to ground, the diagnostic module
blows its internal fuse as soon as a short to ground
is detected. This action removes all battery and
back-up power from the deployment circuits. The
diagnostic module will flag the higher priority
codes 13 or 14 while the short to ground exists. If
the short is intermittent and temporarily corrects
itself, the d iagnostic modu le wi
11
flag code
51.
If the
short to ground returns, the diagnostic module will
again flag the higher priority code 13 or 14 instead
of code 51.
Code 51 after Airbag Deployment
The internal wiring may be shorted to the metal
airbag housings after the airbags are deployed. The
diagnostic module will see this as a short to ground
in the deployment wiring, it will flagacode 14and
blow the internal fuse. As the deployed airbags

cool,
the short circuit may rectify itself. The
diagnostic module will then flag a code 51. This
intermittentfault must be investigated and corrected.
Possible Causes
A short circuit to ground in any of the following:
DM pins 2-2, 2-5 or 2-6 to the safing sensor
DM pins 2-2, 2-5 or 2-3 to the passenger airbag
DM pins 2-2, 2-4 or 2-5 to the drivers airbag
DM pins
1
-2 or
1 -11
to RH crash sensor
DM pins
1
-6 or
1
-12 to LH crash sensor
6-98 September 1996

3-^?
Electrics
Seat Removal/Replacement 97.5 MY

6.6.03
Seat Removal 97.5 MY
Description
The 97.5 MY front seats are common to the DB7
Coupe
and
Volante
models.
Seat
switch
assembi ies

are located on the outboard side of both driver and
passenger
seats.
The front switch controls fore and
aft movement and the seat height adjustment. The
centre switch controls the recline adjustment. The

rear switch
controls
the
lumbar support adjustment.

The seat
heater switches are mounted on the centre
console, forward of the gear selector
lever.

Only one of
the
slide,
recline or height motors can
be driven under manual control at any one time.
Each seat switch pack is hard wired to the relevant

Seat Control
Module
beneath each
seat.
The
module
outputs are hard wired to the seat motors.
Removal
WARNING -
Seat
belt
Pretensioners
(if fitted):

To avoid the possibility
of
personal
injury
caused

by accidental deployment of the seat belt

pretensioner,
disconnect
the
vehicle battery and

wait at
least
10
minutes
for all
voltages
to fully

discharge
before working on the
pretensioner

system.
This covers the possibility
of
the normal

capacitor
discharge
circuits being inoperative and

failing to discharge the detonator capacitor when
instructed
to
do
so.

Procedure

1.
Motortheseatto
its
maximum forward position and
remove the fixings at the rear of the slides.

2.
Motor the seat to its maximum rearward position
and remove the front seat slide fixings.
3. Disconnect the battery
ground
(black)
lead.
Wait at
least 10 minutes for the pretensioner power supply
to fully discharge before working on the seat if a
pretensioner is fitted.
Note: Disconnect the battery within 12 seconds of
switching off the ignition to avoid the alarm siren sounding.

4.
Disconnect the two harness connectors from the
seat control module. Also disconnect the yellow
connector from the pretensioner control module if
a pretensioner is fitted.
Figure 1. Control module connectors
5. Remove the tie straps and release the seat harness.
6. Remove the seat earth screw from the
sill.

7. Tip the seat forwards and remove from the vehicle.
Steps 10-12 Seat Belt Pretensioner vehicles only.
8. Remove the seat belt pretensioner cover (if fitted)
9. Disconnect the buckle fly-lead from the
pretensioner.

10.
Release
one
bolt at
the
base of the
seat
belt stalk and
remove the pretensioner assembly.
Reassembly and Replacement
Steps 1-3 Seat Belt Pretensioner vehicles only.

1.
Ensurethatthesafetyclipisfittedtothepretensioner
connector at the squib.

2.
Fit the assembly to the seat, locating the
anti-

rotation peg into the rear hole of the mounting

bracket.
Securethe
assembly with
one
bolttightened
to 35 Nm.
3. Route the pretensioner lead between the seat and

frame.
Refit the pretensioner
cover.

All vehicles

4.
Replace the seat in the vehicle. Reconnect and
secure the harnesses with tiestraps.
5. Reconnect the vehicle battery.
Note:
The vehicle clock and the window control units

will
need resetting after completion
of
this
procedure.

April 1997 6-127

Electrics
Seat Control Module Removal/Replacement 97.5 MY 'O "3^2?
Switch on the ignition and checi< that the airbag
warning lamp comes on when the ignition is
switched on and extinguishes after approximately
six seconds indicating satisfactory completion of
the pretensioner and airbag system self
tests.

Fit
the front
seat
retaining screws ensuring
a
1.2mm
gap between the screw heads
and
the
slides.
Power
the seat forward and refit the rear screws.
Caution:
Centralise the
rear
fixing holes
with the
body weld
nuts
prior to
inserting the
bolts.

Torque the rear screws to 25 Nm. Power the seat
backwards. Torque the front screws to 25 Nm.
Motor the seat through its full range of movement
to ensure correct
operation.

6.6.08
Seat Control Module 97.5 MY
Removal
WARNING -
Seat
belt
Pretensioners
(if
fitted):

To avoid the possibility
of
personal injury caused

by accidental deployment of the seat belt

pretensioner,
disconnect
the
vehicle battery and

wait at
least
10
minutes
for all
voltages
to fully

discharge
before
working
near the
pretensioner

system.
This covers
the
possibility
of
the
normal
capacitor
discharge circuits
being
inoperative and
failing to discharge the detonator capacitor when
instructed
to
do
so.

1.
Lower the door window and open the relevant
door. Disconnect
the
battery ground cableand wait
for 10 minutes if
a
pretensioner
is
fitted.
Otherwise,
proceed immediately to step 2.
(ei-SMiECu
Figure!.
Seat ECU Removal

2. Loosen two nuts securing the seat ECU. Slide the
ECU to the left and remove it from the front of the
seat.
3. Disconnect two connectors from the ECU.
Replacement

1.
Reconnect the two control module connectors. Fit

the seat control
moduleand
tighten
thetwo securing

nuts.

3. Reconnect the battery ground and test for correct
operation of the seat controls.
6-128 April 1997

^"^
Body and Trim
Body Repair
Precautions
Paint
Ensure that there is efficient ventilation at all times. Paint spraying should be confined to spray booths.
Anyone with a history asthma should not be engaged in any process which involves the use of isocyanates.
Any operator working inside a spray booth where isocyanates are present must use air-fed breathing equipment.
Supplied air to the visor should be fed at the recommended pressure and filtered to remove oil, water and fumes.
Operators involved in handling, mixing or spraying should wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles to avoid
skin and eye contact. A Paticle mask or canister typr respirator should be worn when sanding.
Applied heat
When welding, flame cutting or brazing and so on, goggles, a mask or fume extractor and flameproof protective
clothing should be used always.
It is especially important when working with polyurethane compounds to use air-fed breathing equipment.
Ensure that at all times the appropriate fire fighting equipment isavailableand that personnel are trained in its use.
Metal repair
Wear appropriate eye and hand protection when sanding, drilling, cutting, chiselling, flatting or welding. Wear a
face mask or air-fed visor when sanding or flatting either body solder or
fillers.
When a soldering operation has been

completed,
remove swarf from the work area and wash your hands thoroughly.
General Repair Notes
The following precautions should be noted before any work is carried out:
• disconnect the vehicle battery ground
lead,
taking note of the reconnection procedures
• Make sure that you have read and understood the safety related procedures in this section.
Caution:
Electric arc
welding must not
be
used on the
vehicle as the high
voltages produced by
this process
will
cause
irreparable

damage
to the electrical control and
microprocessor
systems.

All trim and electrical components in the locality of the repair must be removed or disconnected prior to panel
removal or replacement.
Welding and Gas Process Special Notes
Resistance spot welding, MIG welding and all gas processes may only be carried out on bare, unpainted or unplated

metal.
The flanges of panels, which are to be welded together, must be clean, corrosion free and treated as
appropriate with either weld-through or inter-weld sealer.
The resistance spot welding equ ipment used in vehicle repair does not always produce
a
weld of
equ
ivalent strength
to that produced in manufacturing. This means that a single row of spot welds should be spaced on a pitch of 19-
25 mm, which will usually result in more spot welds than found in the original factory joint.
Use a resistance spot weld cutter to remove resistance spot welds. Where a new joint is to be MIC welded, cut the
old resistance spot welds from the panel that is to be retained; the resulting holes are then used for plug welding.
Suitable holes may be drilled or punched as follows:
• 8.0 mm for sections up to 1.5 mm thickness
• 10.0 mm for thicker sections.
Always refer to the welding equipment manufacturers diagrams and tables for the relevant procedure.
May 1996 7-3

Air Conditioning
Working Practices O" 15-^?
Working Practices
General
Be aware of, and comply
with,
all health and safety
requirements.
Before beginning any repair or service procedure,
disconnect the vehicle battery ground connection
and protect the vehicle from dirt or damage.
Work in a well ventilated, clean and tidy area.
Recovery and chargeequipment must comply
with,

or exceed the standard detailed in the General
Description.
Handling Refrigerant
Wear eye protection at all times.
Use gloves, keep skin that may come into contact
with refrigerant covered. If the refrigerant comes
into contactwith youreyesorskin wash the affected
area immediatelyw'ith cool water and seek medical
advice, do not attempt to treat yourself.
Avoid inhaling refrigerant vapour, it wil
your respiratory system.
irritate
Never use high pressure compressed air to flush out
a system. Under certain circumstances a
combination of HFC 134A and compressed air in
the presenceofa source ofcombustion (for instance,
welding or brazing equipment), results in an
explosion that releases toxic compounds into the
atmosphere.
The refrigerant and CFC 12 must never come into
contact with each other
as
they form an inseparable
mixture that can only be disposed of by incineration.
Do not vent refrigerant directly into the atmosphere,
always use approved recovery equipment.
Refrigerant is costly but it can be recycled. Clean
the refrigerant, using the recovery equipment and
reuse it.
Carry out LeakTestsonly with an electronic analyser
dedicated to Refrigerant El 34A.
Do not attemptto guess the amount of refrigerant in
a system, always recover it and recharge with the
correct charge weight. Do not depress the charge or
discharge port valves to check for the presence of
refrigerant.
Handling Lubricating Oil
Avoid breathinglubricantmist,itwillcauseirritation
to your respiratory system.
Always decant fresh oil from a sealed container. Do
not leave oil exposed to the atmosphere for any
reason other than to fill or empty a system; PAG oil
is hygroscopic (it absorbs water) and iscontaminated
rapidly by atmospheric moisture.
Following the recovery cycle do not reuse the oil
when it has been separated from the refrigerant;
dispose of the oil safely.
System Maintenance
Do not leave the system open to the atmosphere. If
a unit or part of the system is left open for more than
five minutes, it is advisable to renew the receiver-
dryer. There is not a safe period in which work is to
be carried out. Always plug pipes and units
immediately after disconnection and only remove
plugs when re-connecting.
If replacement parts are supplied without transit
plugs and seals do not use the parts. Return them to
your supplier.
Diagnostic equipment for pressure, mass and
volumeshouidbecalibrated regularly and certified
by a third party organisation.
Use extreme care when handling and securing
aluminium fittings, always use a backing spanner
and take special care when handlingtheevaporator.
Use only the correct or recommended tools for the
job and apply the manufacturer's torque
specifications.
Keep the working area, all components and tools

clean.

8-8 May 1996