In article >,
Mike Romain > wrote:
>
>On 'modern' vehicles, if you disconnect the battery, the open ended
>alternator surge 'will' destroy the computer, ignition module, stereo if
>turned on and any other electronic part active before the alternator
>itself smokes out.

No, it won't. I've had a battery terminal corrode through and nothing
of the sort happened. Granted, that was not a completely modern car
(electronic ignition, but carbeurated). I've also run a modern car
with a battery which was damaged and not taking a charge; while the
gauges acted erratically and the car idled badly, it was not instantly
damaged.
--
There's no such thing as a free lunch, but certain accounting practices can
result in a fully-depreciated one.