Static shock problems?

[68vwbeetle]

Bought my Sante Fe in May 2004. Have been shocked almost every time when getting out of the car, all through the summer months and the winter is worse. Happens to anyone who drives it. Dealer verified the problem, but offered nothing. Same with Hyundai NA, although they were very nice. Anyone else having this problem?

[mazdatech]

you must have an electric personnality ha ha ha ok not funny rec having a ground strap installed aftermarket. We've all seen them before just dont reconize them some cars will have something hanging down underneath that makes contact with the ground that a groud strap thing they usually work.

[68vwbeetle]

Will try it. I was hoping that the 100,000 mi bumper-to-bumper warranty would cover something like that, but the Hyundai dealership has been less than helpful.

[twospirits]

That is one way. It should be noted that anything plastic will really bring out the static charges. Especially on hot, dry and windy days. You can even see the bluish streak of light traveling from your body to the part when the charges build up to an extent. Plastic is quite notorious in keeping their charges on the surface.

Grounding stips that attach to the vehicles' main frame (and drag on the ground like those cars in the 40-s-50's) will dissipate the static and will do the trick. Getting Static Guard and spraying it on your seat and door areas is also another way. Another method is getting an air filtering/air ionzing unit (about $99-150 US dollars). In the long run, the unit will save you money, rather than having to buy the 10 once $10 dollar static cans every so often.

TS out

[68vwbeetle]

I went to AutoZone and the person at the counter said they didn't carry anything like that. In fact he said I should spray the car with Febreze!!!! I'm pretty ignorant about automotive things, but isn't Febreze for fabric odors? One of the guys I work with didn't believe me when I told him about the shock, so I tossed him the keys and said "Take it for a spin." When he got out of the car, it shocked him so hard you could see the spark in daylight! We are guessing that the seats are the source, but it's only a guess. I've registered the complaint with Hyundai NA. I test drove a 2005 Santa Fe today, and it didn't shock me (cloth seats also.) I think it's reasonable to expect Hyundai to replace the seats/seat covers because the problem is not universal with Santa Fe's.

What product exactly should I ask for at an auto supply store?

[mazdatech]

remember the squeky wheel gets the grease call HMA 1800# and complain and remember if they cant fix it the third time you can go lemon law on them(buyback)

[68vwbeetle]

It's me again, the squeaky wheel. Talked to HMA again. Very nice, but basically said I would have to establish that the seat fabric is defective. I will have to take it to another dealership and try again. I told HMA that I didn't want to pay for seat covers or ionizers for a NEW car, especially if there's no guarantee that the problem would be minimized. I'm not asking for anyone to change the laws of physics, I understand that there will always be some static electricity....just in good faith try to make the seats normal (like by replacing them.) My other cars have never had this problem, and I don't get shocked in anyone else's car. This is frustrating. Something is different with this car. Other than the exiting shock, the car is great.

[mazdatech]

YEAH they dont want to replace something on a whim(u know something they can,'t verify because then they own it) but be persistant and demonstrate to the mechanic how it shocks u and then tell them to verify it with another vehicule to prove it to u that it is or it isn't normal than u have them in the clencher. just say the technician showed me a like vehicule of the same year make and milage and it did not do the same so it must be defective but ( yeah right) if they can show you a like model, year, and milage that shocks u everytime than they win but like I said yeah right....

[mazdatech]

secondly if a dealer verifyied your complaint, than that is one, even if they offered no repair tey still verifyed the compailt, make sure they make an R.O. about it. In the state of wa 3 times the charm (buyback) that is....

[jroxx042]

I have a 2005 Santa fe I got 3 weeks ago....I love the vehicle but every time I get out of it I get shocked......and I get it good too.....it really snaps. I am going to try installing the ground strap on the frame.

[68vwbeetle]

AMEN! I knew I was not the only one.

I have tried the spray, which works for about a day, and I got one of those little things that goes on a key ring, which you are supposed to touch to the door frame to dissipate static. It's not the handiest thing to do if you are carrying anything as you get out of the car. Also, if I bump the frame as I get out, it discharges there.

I believe the seats or fabric are defective. I had an estimate of $800 for reupholstery, but don't feel that I should have to reupholster a new car. Also, what if I did that and it didn't work?

Let me know where you find the grounding strap. I've been about as successful finding one as I have been getting Hyundai to validate my complaint.

[jroxx042]

Originally Posted by jroxx042

I have a 2005 Santa fe I got 3 weeks ago....I love the vehicle but every time I get out of it I get shocked......and I get it good too.....it really snaps. I am going to try installing the ground strap on the frame.

I installed the ground strap and it did fix the problem.

[twospirits]

Where did you strap them to? I should get them as well since I get shock every once in a while, usually more in the summer. Any pics?

TS out

[jroxx042]

Originally Posted by twospirits

Where did you strap them to? I should get them as well since I get shock every once in a while, usually more in the summer. Any pics?

TS out

You can put it anywhere under the vehicle as long as it drags on the ground. I put mine by the engine .....in the center of the car.

[68vwbeetle]

Did your ground strap work? Are you still getting shocked? We're having cold, windy, dry weather in NC, and I'm getting BIG shocks.