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.

NEW DAY!
I got in to go to work this morning. The electric field was still in the driver seat. I felt it all the way to work. My backpack, sitting in the front passenger floor area also picked up this charge. Apparently I carried some of the charge with me to work, because I shocked someone at work about 30 minutes later and I could still feel the "field" around my backpack when I picked it up at work.


Is it possible this is being caused by an exposed power wire touching metal somewhere in the car?
Does anyone know what this might be?

gix

 

get your finger out of the cigarette lighter

 

Take it back to the dealer and let them work it out :?

 

exposed power wire touching ground?

if that were the case, whatever that circuit powered would fail. it's called a short circuit, and unlike a power line dragging on the ground it does not react in that way. any 12 volt circuit contacting ground will surly blow a fuse, burn up the wire and kill the circuit itself, or both.
My suggestion, Lose some of the polyester clothes you have, or dacron pants (assuming you don't were parachute pants. if you live in a dry climate it can be brought on by an absense of moisture, in a colder climate its more due tothe cloths you weear. maybe invest a few dollars into a grounding kit or theres a DIY thread i believe in the FAQ's on this site. do a search, It will help in all sorts of manners. including your amatuer shock therapy technique.....lol good luck

 

if there was a wire touching bare metal and puttin out that much power to create an electric field around you im sure that it would short out and blow a fuse...sit still when you are driving and dont sqirm around as much and you wont create static electricity
either that or you have one of the fancy xb's that turn you into an x-man

 

I took it to the dealer this morning. They felt the "field" around the driver seat also. This is something they say they havent seen before. I have had about 8 people now, look at it and see if they feel the "field" around the seat and driver's door. They all did.

I live in the San Fran Bay area. It doesn't really get cold or hot here. BUT, there has been a cooling trend in the last week or so. Also, I tried getting in barefoot...like another site suggested..without my rubber sole shoes....and it was still there.

I don't have one of those fancy XB's either. The only interior stuff done was the factory installed underseat lighting and a Pioneer AVIC dvd/nav system...amp in the back for the subs. But, that's it.

OH, I don't wear polyester...lol....cotton jeans and t-shirts is about all I wear. I would figure that if it was something I was causing, the "field" would leave the car when I leave the car, or like static covered clothing.....it could be rubbed off with your hand while you ground yourself.

But, with friends and the service tech feeling the "field" around the drivers area, I really don't know what it is.

I'll keep you guys posted as this matter resolves itself.

If the service tech can't figure out what it is.....I'll call the local Catholic Priest to have my car Exorcised!

gix

 

Static is caused by rubbing between surfaces, typically between different types of cloth. Modern cars are well-insulated with few metal surfaces to touch and discharge yourself before a considerable charge builds up. Women seem to experience this problem more than men, probably due to the fabrics that they wear.

The simple solution is simply to touch a grounded metal part of the car now and then. The cigar lighter is grounded.

 

I tried that solution out already, quite a few times...grounding myself while in the seat, before getting in the seat, etc....

For some reason, it just won't go away.....

gix

 

just be careful at the gas pump if your feeling charged incase you don't want to end up a well in the words of the immortal Dan Toasty for MK....TOASTY

 

Yeah, if you live in colder areas, you can have static electricity a lot. I used to get this all the time up north.

I saw a person once, get out of his car, start to pump the gas, and then got back in his car.
As he left the car again to stop the pump, a static electrical charge developed, and BOOM! There went the explosion. He lived, but his car was destroyed.

 

maybe ur car has latent super powers?

 

check to see if the neon is defective, sometimes a bad bulb or transformer will cause that type of effect...

 

I'm afraid to get out of my xB because I always get a huge static shock when I close the door after getting out. It's really annoying. I think it's due to the colder, dry air since it's near winter here in virginia.

 

It's static electricity, caused by you moving against the seat and your feet moving against the carpet. To prevent the shocks, touch a piece of exposed metal before you get out.

 

Make sure it is not your coat, I bought a tight leater coat a few years ago and and lining was like wool or something and everyime I go out of ANY car I would get shocked to ____, open metal doors get shocked to ____, shake someones hand shocked to ____ etc etc etc.

I really liked that coat but I could not deal with it anymore so I quite wearing it and sent it to my brother

 

have u tried getti in and out of other cars? maybe that will help u determine if its just ur car or something else making happen to any car

 

That is a B/S story the news ran... it is nearly impossible for that to happen... they proved it out several occasions. I know old men who thro there cigg's in a bucket of gas and never blink twice.... its fictious b.s ibeen filling my cars up runninng over the last 17 yrs... never had a problem. Gas needs an open flame....dont believe me throw some gas on your driveway and try sending off different sparks and rubbing against a rabbit or smething ... if you get a fire...well it never happen so...

 

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

 

`6

 

Your car is possessed.