Handling Electrostatic Discharge (Esd) Sensitive Parts

Many solid state electrical components can be damaged by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Some will display a label as shown, but many will not.

CAUTION: In order to avoid possibly damaging any components, observe the following.

1. Body movement produces an electrostatic charge. To discharge personal static electricity, touch a ground point (metal) on the vehicle. This should be done any time you:
- Slide across the vehicle seat.
- Sit down or get up.
- Do any walking.
2. Do not touch exposed electric terminals on components or connectors with your finger or any tools. Remember, the connector you are checking might be tied into a circuit that could be damaged by electrostatic discharge.
3. When using a screwdriver or similar tool to disconnect a connector, never let the tool come in contact with or come between the exposed terminals.
4. Never jumper, ground, or use test equipment probes on any components or connectors unless specified in diagnosis. When using test equipment, always connect the ground lead first.
5. Do not remove the solid state component from its protective packaging until you are ready to install the part.
6. Always touch the solid state component package to a ground before opening. Solid state components can also be damaged if:
- They are bumped or dropped.
- They are laid on any metal work benches or components that operate electrically, such as a radio, TV or oscilloscope.
Not all parts that can be damaged by ESD have an ESD label. Some components that can be damaged by ESD are:
- Chime Module.
- Cruise Control Module.
- Vehicle Control Module (VCM) Radio Controls.
- Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM).
- EPROM (programmable read only memory).
Solid state components also can be damaged if they are bumped or dropped, or if they are laid on a metal work bench or on an electrically operated item such as a radio, a TV or an oscilloscope.