SERVICE GUILD: ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE DAMAGE

MODELS: ALL MODELS EQUIPPED WITH PARTS SENSITIVE TO ESD (ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE)

There has been concern in dealerships about the possibility of damaging electronic parts during service due to electrostatic discharge (ESD). The need for the service technician to wear special static reducing equipment, such as a wrist strap, and the use of a grounding mat when handling electronic parts in the dealerships to prevent the possibility of ESD damage to electronic parts has also been questioned. If the following rules are followed to reduce the risk of ESD damage, special static protective equipment is not required when handling General Motors parts in the dealership. When handling an electronic part that has an ESD sensitive sticker (Figure No. 1), the service technician should use the following guidelines to reduce any possible electrostatic charge build-up on the service technician's body and the electronic part in the dealership:

1. Do not open package until it is time to install the part.

2. Avoid touching electrical terminals of the part.

3. Before removing the part from its package, ground the package to a known good ground on the vehicle.

4. Always touch a known good ground before handling the part. This should be repeated while handling the part and more frequently after sliding across the seat, sitting down from a standing position, or walking a distance.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.