[fso301]

Sound far-fetched? It did not in 1993 to the owners of automobiles parked about 300 meters from a U.S. Defense Contractor’s EMP generator test site at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Their alternators and electronic engine controls were accidentally fried by a pulse during classified field trials.

Yes it does sounds far fetched. A modern alternator shouldn't fry any more than one from a `68 Ford.

As far as other engine controls go, the engine compartment of an automobile is an extremely harsh environment. Perhaps if there was already a grounding problem something might get cooked. If the grounding is good, why should it cook? Since when do repair shops take great precautions when welding on a vehicle?

[Kartographer]

It didn't say that'a' contractor had the car electrical system messed up it says owners plural.

[vigilante2]

Welders disconnect the battery before welding on a vehicle

[DuncanWaring]

Perhaps it was the embedded voltage regulator that fried, not the altenator itself.