Truck keeps "Zapping" me!

[SHyans]

After driving for a bit, I'm getting a pretty decent shock when I touch the door to close it when I get out. Today my wife got nailed a couple of times when we were out running errands. I also seem to have a tempermental drivers side tail light. It's been happening for a while but I've been living with it.

Anybody have any clues ?

 

[Nate]

When you drag your butt across the seat to get out, it builds up a static charge. Happens to me all the time on the truck and Jeep.

 

[Beach]

During the winter, when the air is dry, I am almost scared to close my door when I get out! I've been zapped pretty bad and actually saw a blue spark come off my finger tip a few time's. I must look like an idiot to people when I get out, 'cause I'll stand there for a second looking at my door and quickly smack my door closed just to get the shock over with! :-laf It seem's to hurt more if you slowly put you hand to the door! I HATE IT! I think the combination of the dry air and the static you build up on your seat's cause's the annoying shock! Be safe! :-laf

 

[JHSchultz]

A few weeks ago every time I would get out of the truck I would get zapped once when I touched the inside door handle , again when I pushed the door open and if my leg hit the nerf bar I would get it again.

Luckily the weather changed and got damp again here in the northwest.

I was getting gun shy about getting out of my truck.

 

[TMarszalek]

After driving for a bit, I'm getting a pretty decent shock when I touch the door to close it when I get out. Today my wife got nailed a couple of times when we were out running errands. I also seem to have a tempermental drivers side tail light. It's been happening for a while but I've been living with it.

Anybody have any clues ?

Hey Steve, I think it's your electrifying personality... or maybe that lift kit got you up so high the air is thinner and dryer! Seriously, Scotch makes an anti-static product to spray on the seats that eliminates that nasty shock therapy. I can't remember the exact name of it, but I used it when I lived in Arizona. You should be able to do a search for Scotch Anti-Static. Enjoy my friend!

 

[ASchwartz]

I use Static Guard for clothes. The static electricity that I build up while shifting gears (even in leather seats) is very annoying. I spray the mats every once in awhile in the winter and the problem is gone.



Avi

 

[MMeier]

Damn, some of you people must be possessed or something !!

 

[24V-DSL]

Open the door, get out, and touch/push the glass with your hand to shut it.

 

[SHyans]

Hey Steve, I think it's your electrifying personality... or maybe that lift kit got you up so high the air is thinner and dryer! Scotch

Tom, I think you nailed it! I never considered that.



I'm actually surprised to here that I'm not the only one afraid of their truck.

I though maybe I had a hot wire somewhere.

Reminds me of growing up in So Cal. My mom had the funky shag carpet with the bright idea of raught iron hand rails and bannisters all over the house (1970's).

It was a real joy when the Santa Ana winds started blowing... . Blue spark central..... our cat hated me. #@$%!

 

[CChartier]

bad static

This is a real problem with some gas vehicles and refueling, I've seen video tape of a few people catching themselves on fire when the discharge happens at the fill spout.

 

[SHyans]

Open the door, get out, and touch/push the glass with your hand to shut it.

Actually stepping out and hooking it closed with the insulated elbow works better! With the short sleeves in summer I'll try your technique.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I'm Scared!!!

Count me in as one of the ones that is afraid of the truck! You should probably add my wife to the list also!



I think I had a spark jump about a 1 inch gap when closing the door once. I thought it blew the end of my finger off! That hurt like heck!



I usually try to let my leg touch the rocker panel before I touch the door. At least it is insulated with my pants. I keep those pretty clean so I don't have to worry about getting my britches too dirty. Pushing on the window is a good suggestion. I have done the insulated elbow trick when wearing long sleeves and/or a jacket.



I tried the Static Guard for clothing. I sprayed the entire interior down with it. I just got a bigger zap the next time I got out! I think the truck is angry about something. I keep telling her to take it easy on me and I won't push her too hard!



Jeff

 

[Nate]

I just close the door. I don't have much feeling in my fingers so I don't really feel anything, just see hear it spark.

 

[Huskerman]

Same thing happens to me. I have gotten in the habit of tapping the metal part of the door with the back of my hand before reaching to close it.



FWIW, I believe it's due to the cloth seats. That may or may not be true but I am using it as an excuse to the wife for re-apolstering the seats in leather!



Huskerman

 

[ASchwartz]

Huskerman,



While you are at change the floor mats as well. Using the clutch creates a pretty big static charge.



Avi

 

[SSell]

Zap!

I hear you! I get zapped everytime I get out of my 05 quad cab CTD, also have a go-to-work gas Ram 1500 that does NOT build up the static like the new one... . almost thinking about hanging a piece of wire from cab to the gnd!

 

[GWBourne]

try some dryer sheets when you wash your clothes. . and wear less polyester. i know it sounds odd, but if i foget a dryer sheet and wear my Adidas pants (75% polyester) i get shocked like its cool. i have leather. maybe some scotch guard if you have cloth...

Grant

 

[Truckie]

I hear you! I get zapped everytime I get out of my 05 quad cab CTD, almost thinking about hanging a piece of wire from cab to the gnd!

Not a bad idea. On my 01 I had it was a 5 speed and I would get zapped so bad it would acutely throw your hand back. I got tired of that. I did like our fire trucks have. They have a few pieces of chain hanging from them to stop this. I did not want to drag a chain around with my truck so I did like the UPS trucks have. They have a piece of rubber mounted to the frame that hangs down and touches the ground. An old mud flap or a piece of conveyer belt will work also. I used a piece of conveyer belt on my 01. It only needs to be about 2 to 3 inches wide mounted to the frame rail and long enough to touch the ground. It worked well for me.

I hope this helps the rest of you also.





Mike

 

[TRLRTRSH]

I have not tried this little device, but it may work, I just smack the door, but for others who do not like shocks??



http://www.stopshox.com/index.htm

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Static Guard

Spray seats with Static Guard. Works GREAT. Shock completely gone for me.



http://www.mystaticguard.com/nav_wf.cfm