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1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon | random electrical shocks: static or a short?
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Saffy
New User
Jun 20, 2012, 6:43 AM
Post #1 of 6
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1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon | random electrical shocks: static or a short?
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This is concerning my 98 Ford Escort SE (Wagon), 2.0L 4-cyl. engine, about 87,500 miles on it.
My car zaps me-- painfully-- every time I get out of my car, or touch the outside of the car door (while standing outside, mind you-- it zapped me for touching the mirror when I went to close it yesterday), no matter what kind of shoes I'm wearing. It only happens after I've been driving. I haven't noticed any other electrical problems or warning lights. It only started in the past two months; before then I didn't drive it more than once a month, but I still didn't receive any weird shocks when getting in or out of the car. Naturally, it doesn't affect the passenger, leading them to look at me strangely when I swear profusely out of nowhere. I thought maybe air temp/humidity might be the culprit, but it shocks me rain or shine-- and there's a bit of both in Oregon right now.
This happens consistently. Obviously that is not a normal thing. The car has an alarm and keyless entry, so I'm wondering if it might be a short somewhere, rather than just a case of really persistent static electricity. But I could be wrong. Maybe I have a metal plate in my head that no one told me about.
My dad is better with cars than I am. He has some tools laying around, but it would be helpful if we both knew where to start before I gave him a call. Thank you for your help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 20, 2012, 6:52 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon | random electrical shocks: static or a short?
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You don't blame static electricity on the car. Blame it on yourself and the cloths you are wearing. Cars don't make static electricity, people do.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Saffy
New User
Jun 20, 2012, 6:54 AM
Post #3 of 6
(2428 views)
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon | random electrical shocks: static or a short?
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I'm not sure if it's static though. I've never been shocked from a car whenever I got out, no matter what I'm wearing.
(This post was edited by Saffy on Jun 20, 2012, 6:58 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 20, 2012, 8:07 AM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon | random electrical shocks: static or a short?
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Oh yes, it's static.
You probably have leather seats now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Saffy
New User
Jun 20, 2012, 8:08 AM
Post #5 of 6
(2401 views)
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon | random electrical shocks: static or a short?
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Haha, I wish. I have just normal bad 90s upholstery right now.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 20, 2012, 9:25 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon | random electrical shocks: static or a short?
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How is the humidity where you live? Try touching the glass before grabbing something metal on the car.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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