Static Electricity Woes! - Focaljet

**fragman** · 05-10-2001, 03:38 PM

Fellow Foci Brethren;
I was REALLY pissed off e few days ago when I parked my car (2000 SE w/zetec) at a local convenience store, shut off the engine, opened the door, got out of the car, and went to lock the door via the button on the driver's side door when ZAP! I got shocked from static electricity which is nothing new, but this time the shock must have really messed up the car's anti theft system and my horn blared constantly!!! I could not shut it off, the key fob did not work, shutting the door did not work, nothing worked! I had to drive the car back to my house and detach the battery to reset the system. Everything has been fine since, but I worry it may happen again on some dry day when I exit the car. I make it a point now to touch the frame of the door to discharge rather than the electric door switch. Anyone else have this happen?

**nem0** · 05-10-2001, 03:43 PM

I've never had that problem, but its good to know that it can happen. I'll be careful in that regard.

I have, however had some issues with the whole "get shocked if you're not careful" aspect of my car.

**StealthFocus** · 05-11-2001, 03:32 AM

This might sound stupid, but I ony started to get shocked after I bought new shoes. Think its these damn funky treads!

**fragman** · 05-11-2001, 08:00 AM

I read the other posts, and it's good to see that I am at least not alone with this problem. I am convinced that the shocks are due to the fabric on the seats, and the shocks are worst if you wear any shirts with a high percentage of polyester in them (ouch!). Anyway, I have found the best way to avoid the shock altogether is to reach up and grab the door frame as you slide out of your seat. This way the electricity which is generated by the friction of your clothes and the seats is allowed to discharge to the grounded door frame without building up to earth shattering potential.

**wmudavey** · 05-12-2001, 10:01 AM

i keep a bottle of static guard in my glove box. a once a week spray on the seats gives me 0 shocks. try it!!!!!!!

------------------
2001 ZX3
Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue
Mods to my company car:
Intermittent wipers, BMW tip, Ireland sticker, Foglight mod.
That will be about it...I don't own it!

05-10-2001, 03:38 PM	#1
fragman Rookie Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 43	Static Electricity Woes! Fellow Foci Brethren; I was REALLY pissed off e few days ago when I parked my car (2000 SE w/zetec) at a local convenience store, shut off the engine, opened the door, got out of the car, and went to lock the door via the button on the driver's side door when ZAP! I got shocked from static electricity which is nothing new, but this time the shock must have really messed up the car's anti theft system and my horn blared constantly!!! I could not shut it off, the key fob did not work, shutting the door did not work, nothing worked! I had to drive the car back to my house and detach the battery to reset the system. Everything has been fine since, but I worry it may happen again on some dry day when I exit the car. I make it a point now to touch the frame of the door to discharge rather than the electric door switch. Anyone else have this happen?

05-10-2001, 03:43 PM	#2
nem0 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Seattle, WA (Justin) Posts: 690	Re: Static Electricity Woes! I've never had that problem, but its good to know that it can happen. I'll be careful in that regard. I have, however had some issues with the whole "get shocked if you're not careful" aspect of my car.

05-11-2001, 03:32 AM	#3
StealthFocus TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Posts: 278	Re: Static Electricity Woes! This might sound stupid, but I ony started to get shocked after I bought new shoes. Think its these damn funky treads!

05-11-2001, 08:00 AM	#4
fragman Rookie Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 43	Re: Static Electricity Woes! I read the other posts, and it's good to see that I am at least not alone with this problem. I am convinced that the shocks are due to the fabric on the seats, and the shocks are worst if you wear any shirts with a high percentage of polyester in them (ouch!). Anyway, I have found the best way to avoid the shock altogether is to reach up and grab the door frame as you slide out of your seat. This way the electricity which is generated by the friction of your clothes and the seats is allowed to discharge to the grounded door frame without building up to earth shattering potential.

05-12-2001, 10:01 AM	#5
wmudavey Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,267	Re: Static Electricity Woes! i keep a bottle of static guard in my glove box. a once a week spray on the seats gives me 0 shocks. try it!!!!!!! ------------------ 2001 ZX3 Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue Mods to my company car: Intermittent wipers, BMW tip, Ireland sticker, Foglight mod. That will be about it...I don't own it!

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