ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAP !.......and then cursing.

JackLikesTrucks · 04-21-2009, 06:22 AM

Evertime I get out of the car, an electric blue arc jumps from the door I'm closing to my fingers and makes me happy for several seconds.

Oh Joy.

What is causing this and what can be done?

I have cloth interior and am running BFG Traction TAs and I've foud nothing about rolling resistance problems with these tires like I would expect from 90K mile tires.

Maybe a capacitor to the body?

Jason · 04-21-2009, 06:24 AM

My Ranger does the same thing. I hit the door with my arm first. I don't notice the shock to the arm much.

**doorgunner** · 04-21-2009, 06:44 AM

attach a flexible metal strap to the lowest part of the vehicle frame so that a couple inches of it drags the ground releasing static electricity there instead of your fingers...

oh, yea....just be sure you don't have a leaky fuel line

AngloSaxon · 04-21-2009, 06:54 AM

Happens with my truck everytime, at night you can actually see a blue spark

CJREX · 04-21-2009, 07:55 AM

Hold your keys in your hand and touch the keys to the truck first.

The key takes the Zap, not you. You may still feel it, but just barely if at all.

**doorgunner** · 04-21-2009, 08:07 AM

beats crawlin under to put a strap on(old school, anyway)

srteach · 04-21-2009, 08:22 AM

check your body-to-frame grounding strap. Make sure there is good contact between both.

In low humidity, a static charge can build up.

superdave1984 · 04-21-2009, 08:53 AM

My daughter's car did that. I sprayed the interior with that static spray for laundry and then febreeze. Problem went away.

GMWIGGS · 04-21-2009, 08:56 AM

Just hang on to the door, (on metal part), somewhere as you get out of your seat. If you are already grounded to the frame while getting out of the truck, the static shouldn't build up. Works for me anyways!

Chance · 04-21-2009, 08:58 AM

For me, it depends on what pants I'm wearing. Back when I had my desk job and I was wearing dress slacks, I would get shocked every time. But when I'm wearing my jeans or my shop pants, I have yet to get shocked. I think that's because I kinda slide out of my seats though.

RustedRanger · 04-21-2009, 09:54 AM

Ground strap is a good idea. I don't think bad body grounds cause this. My truck does it,My moms 99 Sable does it and my wifes 07 Impala also does it. I took to touching the door really fast(a little smack) so it doesn't arc but I bet it would work to hold onto the metal until on the ground. Ive got enough of a jolt that you could hear the snap and it made me jump. I got electrocuted one time so I really don't like getting zapped!

**Mark_88** · 04-21-2009, 11:15 AM

Car pool with someone and touch their earlobe before they get out...works really well if they happen to fall asleep during the ride...

Aside from that...the anti-static spray worked for SuperDave so you might try that if you can't find a victim, er, passenger...

04-21-2009, 06:22 AM	#1
JackLikesTrucks Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Year: 2002 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 2.3 I4 Class: 2WD Used For: Hauling Jack. Posts: 93 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (0)	ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAP !.......and then cursing. Evertime I get out of the car, an electric blue arc jumps from the door I'm closing to my fingers and makes me happy for several seconds. Oh Joy. What is causing this and what can be done? I have cloth interior and am running BFG Traction TAs and I've foud nothing about rolling resistance problems with these tires like I would expect from 90K mile tires. Maybe a capacitor to the body?
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04-21-2009, 06:24 AM	#2
Jason Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Year: (formerly) 200 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Used For: She's gone. I am diesel huntin'! Posts: 3,579 Rep Power: 22 iTrader: (0)	My Ranger does the same thing. I hit the door with my arm first. I don't notice the shock to the arm much. __________________ Scary FACT. 50% of all marriages last forever.....
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04-21-2009, 06:44 AM	#3
doorgunner Lab Rat for V.A. hospital Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Orleans (8' below sea level & sinking) Year: 1989/1936 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: V-8...Carbed/fo-barrel Class: 2WD Street Used For: FUN on a daily basis! Posts: 11,696 Rep Power: 72 iTrader: (0)	attach a flexible metal strap to the lowest part of the vehicle frame so that a couple inches of it drags the ground releasing static electricity there instead of your fingers... oh, yea....just be sure you don't have a leaky fuel line __________________ *******My Stupied Build Thred! http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...ad.php?t=30561***** *All the people who's freedom of speech I fought to defend are now telling me to shut up* ******The Congress that gave me a Machine Gun to kill as many enemy as possible now wants my Winchester Model 1894 because I have PTSD!******** Last edited by doorgunner; 04-21-2009 at 06:47 AM.
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04-21-2009, 06:54 AM	#4
AngloSaxon Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 2.3 Class: 2WD Off-Road Used For: weekend warrior Posts: 200 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (2)	Happens with my truck everytime, at night you can actually see a blue spark __________________ '94 supercab. 2.3 5speed. 4'' Autofab Econo Lift. 3'' PA body lift. 4.56 motive gear. Explorer leaf springs +2'' blocks, 31's Grabber AT2, 33x12.5 Mud king xt + Eagle Alloys, Dynomax muffler. It's 2wd thing..... Pato is my hero!
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04-21-2009, 07:55 AM	#5
CJREX Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: N. GA. Year: 1989 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 + Used For: Truck stuff Posts: 737 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (1)	Hold your keys in your hand and touch the keys to the truck first. The key takes the Zap, not you. You may still feel it, but just barely if at all. __________________ '89 Ranger 4x4:Gone :-( '90 FSB: 351W, 4" lift, 35x12.50 AT '00 Super Duty: V10 5 speed
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04-21-2009, 08:07 AM	#6
doorgunner Lab Rat for V.A. hospital Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Orleans (8' below sea level & sinking) Year: 1989/1936 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: V-8...Carbed/fo-barrel Class: 2WD Street Used For: FUN on a daily basis! Posts: 11,696 Rep Power: 72 iTrader: (0)	beats crawlin under to put a strap on(old school, anyway) __________________ *******My Stupied Build Thred! http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...ad.php?t=30561***** *All the people who's freedom of speech I fought to defend are now telling me to shut up* ******The Congress that gave me a Machine Gun to kill as many enemy as possible now wants my Winchester Model 1894 because I have PTSD!********
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04-21-2009, 08:22 AM	#7
srteach Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Year: 1999, 2001 Make: Ranger, F350 Model: XLT supercab, SuperDuty Engine: 4.0L, 7.3 Diesel Class: 4x4 both Used For: DD / light OR, DD Posts: 979 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (0)	check your body-to-frame grounding strap. Make sure there is good contact between both. In low humidity, a static charge can build up.
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04-21-2009, 08:53 AM	#8
superdave1984 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Fulton, TN Year: 1987 Model: Ranger Posts: 1,152 Rep Power: 17 iTrader: (2)	My daughter's car did that. I sprayed the interior with that static spray for laundry and then febreeze. Problem went away. __________________ Some features no longer available.
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04-21-2009, 08:56 AM	#9
GMWIGGS Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Eastern NC Year: 1996 & 2000 Make: FORD Model: RANGER Engine: 3.0 Class: 2wd Used For: All of the above Posts: 137 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	Just hang on to the door, (on metal part), somewhere as you get out of your seat. If you are already grounded to the frame while getting out of the truck, the static shouldn't build up. Works for me anyways! __________________ '00 Ranger ext cab 3.0 auto with DZK underdrive pulley, S&B power stack filter, 3" SS airtube (looks shiny), 180*stat (not sure why) and a chip programmed for torque for towing using 93 oct gas.
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04-21-2009, 08:58 AM	#10
Chance RIP - 10/7/2010 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Roseburg, OR Posts: 2,255 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (0)	For me, it depends on what pants I'm wearing. Back when I had my desk job and I was wearing dress slacks, I would get shocked every time. But when I'm wearing my jeans or my shop pants, I have yet to get shocked. I think that's because I kinda slide out of my seats though. __________________ '79 Scout '98 Teggy Don't know how to drive an automatic Rest in peace our brother - we will miss you. 10/7/2010 - The Ranger Station
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04-21-2009, 09:54 AM	#11
RustedRanger Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Farmland IN Year: 1987 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 2.9L Class: 4x4 Used For: Everyday driver Posts: 821 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (0)	Ground strap is a good idea. I don't think bad body grounds cause this. My truck does it,My moms 99 Sable does it and my wifes 07 Impala also does it. I took to touching the door really fast(a little smack) so it doesn't arc but I bet it would work to hold onto the metal until on the ground. Ive got enough of a jolt that you could hear the snap and it made me jump. I got electrocuted one time so I really don't like getting zapped!
	Tweet

04-21-2009, 11:15 AM	#12
Mark_88 Einstein I'm NOT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Uxbridge, Ontario Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Multi-year Ranger Engine: 2.3 Carbureted Class: 2wd Used For: Space travel Posts: 13,415 Rep Power: 76 iTrader: (0)	Car pool with someone and touch their earlobe before they get out...works really well if they happen to fall asleep during the ride... Aside from that...the anti-static spray worked for SuperDave so you might try that if you can't find a victim, er, passenger... __________________ Rome and my Ranger were not built in a day...
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