In just the last 2 days, I have developed a static electric charge in the driver seat. I can feel the hair on my arms raise up when I sit in the car, and I shock the ____ out of myself when I get out and touch metal or someone else.

I disconnected the seat sensor and the lights under the seat, thinking that maybe a wire was exposed and touching the metal of the seat, but it didnt stop it.

I feel the charge running through the driver door also. The charge is isolated to the driver seat and door, and just around the top of the glove box door.

I pulled out the stereo and rerouted the wiring, still have the static electric charge in the driver seat.

Does anyone know what this might be?

gix

 

i get it all the time, i think its because i slide around in my seat alot driving.

 

i've been getting it recently whenever i wear a certain jacket i get it.

 

Well, I got in the car this morning. Same thing....electric charge around the seat and its moving to other areas of the car...my backpack that I had in the front floorboard while driving to work picked up the charge.

I also noticed that when I start the car the last couple of days, it seems like the battery has drained some, like a low power start.

This is really starting to bug me because my skin feels like I have been sitting plugged into a wall after I get out of the car. It's bad enough, where I carry the static charge with me now and I actually shocked someone 30 minutes after I got out of the car.

I'm wondering if there is an exposed power wire touching metal somewhere in the car.

gix

 

A power wire touching ground? if that ewre so you would short out whatever component it was connected to. Do you live in a colder climate or warmer climate area? It could be thre type of clothes you wear, or maybe just that sparking personality you might have. I would lesson the amount of polyester clothing you own, and invest some cash into a grounding kit, (whether you make it or buy it). Theres a thread here for one someone did, it helps a little bit all around. do a search for grounding kits or check the FAQ's.

 

contact the dealer..make sure to remove ur aftermarket junk..they charged me 300 for labor cuz i had bad wires on my grand am...it was not my fault but previous owner..there was a wire touching the chassis...

also i get that on the xb as well..but its only sometimes..so use downy for your laundry..i heard that helps

 

LOL! Try kissing a girl when that happens. its kinda funny. honestly its the seat and floor mats, try getting rubber floor mats and when leaving the car, use the back of your hand or your elbow to close the door.

 

Or you can stop by Razo and purchase a grounding kit that we sell here. It mounts to your frame, grounds to your frame and drags on the ground to get rid of any electrical/static charge you may have built up. Voila, no more shocking.

Edit: Am I gonna get in trouble for suggesting a solution like this if I'm not a sponsor/member?

 

..
no..unless u sell as a company..but check with mods for mo info.

 

Get a dryer sheet and run it all through your xB. That will cut down on the amount of static electricity in your car. I know it sounds stupid but it does work. Also, the cold dry climate we have out here in the winter just generates static electricity.

On a different note, your body did not hold the static charge for 30 minutes. The more you walk around wearing certain fabrics in the winter the more static you'll build up.

Zach

 

Hey Bill,

I don't think you should trip, because I have been having the same exact problems that you describe. In the morning... the car is slow to turn-over. I get a shock when I leave the car. I think it is just the climate change and the seat material. It wasn't as bad this summer but now that is has been getting really cold, the shocks are back. Sucks but thats what you get when you drive an electrifying car! nyuck, nyuck, nyuck!

 

thats a good idea bb local boy '''i think he should do that...how much does one go for?

 

under $20

 

hmm. i wonder if it really works i see em all tha time but thot they were some kitchy fake jdm garbage.

 

there used to be someone o the sponcered area that used to sell grounder keychains that take the static off of you. It actually lit up and that was supposed to tell you to discharge it. This has been a problem with the scions since the begining too. I get the shock all the time.

 

For under $20 bucks, it couldn't hurt to try. :shrug:

 

Better than the ebay ones for $7 bucks plus $30 shipping!! Shoot even I might pick one up for the hell of it. Anyone else? :D

 

If it can stop the shocks... I'm in! I feel like a mosquito touching the green light everytime I get out of my car. :?

 

hahahahahahahaha sorry, I just got a picture of a double wide trailer homes with one of those bug zapper light thingies hanging out front. And little chile pepper shaped christmas lights for decoration.

 

Well, I got it back from the dealer and they told me that they couldnt find the problem. It was worse than ever when I got it back too. It's now in both front seats...this is too wierd.

They called the Scion reps and they told them to have me spray "scotch guard" on the seats.

I did and it's still there. I think I'm going to need a Priest for this one! I'll keep you guys informed as to if anything gets better or worse and whether I find out whats wrong with it.

gix