> > > Gri"electrophobe"shny
> >
> > nawwwwwwwww. that's a myth. That's a maximum of 12 volt, 15 amp charge coming out of the cig. lighter wires. Plus it's direct current. you could stand in a puddle of water, lick your fingers, and hold the ends of the wires and you'd barely feel a thing. Maybe a little tingling. If that.
> >
> > Plus you can always remove the cig. lighter fuse and then there won't be any power going to it ;)
>
> All the logic in the world will not convince me to attempt to do electrical work on my car or anywhere else for that matter. I am determined to remain safely in my enclave of ignorance and fear. Thank you.
>
> Gri"Unpersuadable"shny

There is a difference between electrical and ignition. The electrical system has an alternater that puts out about 14 volts. This charges the battery and keeps the lights lit. It toots the horn and turns the starter. The worst it could do is heat something up until it gets hot enough to burn you, but a fuse or breaker should prevent that. *However*--- (pause for effect)--- the ignition system kicks up some really high voltage. It will bite you and make you hurt yourself. So stay away from the ignition system and you will be ok.
I'm sure that somewhere on RinkWorks, there is the story of the time (circa 1950) that the throttle cable on my motorcycle stuck and without thinking, I reached down to pull the wire off the plug to keep from blowing the engine. The engine was running wide open, the magneto was turning at full speed and magnetos put out a real wallop of voltage. I went straight up, the motorcycle shot forward and I came down in a heap. Somehow it stalled the engine, which kept it from blowing up.
Fortunately, your car doesn't have a magneto and it's not easy to get a shock. Stay away from the fuel injection system and the air conditioning system. If you don't know what you're doing, they'll get you.
How"the tingle that lasts for days"ard