Obligatory post about the family hauler because the Miata doesn't have any issues Let me preface this with I suck at electronics, hoping somebody here can point me in the right direction?

Recently we bought a '10 Odyssey to finish out our young kid years, because I'd rather they puke all over and destroy something cheap. However, it shocks us, like, a lot. As an example, if you reach out the window with the car on to punch in numbers for a gate access code or accidentally touch the metal shelf at the drive through window you get a pretty good shock. There's enough electricity around with your arm out the window that your hair will stand up as well. Probably 8/10 times when you close the door on it you'll get a shock too.

Any ideas what to check for? Battery connections all look good, don't see any disconnected or damaged wiring. All electronics seem to function normally, runs great otherwise, so I don't think it's a ground issue.

Thanks in advance for any ideas/troubleshooting steps!

Sam

 

12v doesn't shock, it burns. Static build up is most likely caused by really cheap tires.

 

It has Yokohama YK740s on it, probably have like half their life left--seem like decent tires to me.

Any ideas on how to test that without buying new tires? I'd buy new ones to make the problem go away for sure, just want to narrow it down.

 

Yokohama YK740 GTX | Discount Tire – Sell on the internet

Hang a piece of copper wire from the frame / something metallic and let it drag on the ground.

 

this.

or you can buy one of these, which were all the rage on cars in the 90s.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Anti...frcectupt=true

 

Static buildup can be caused by a bad/missing ground strap from the body to the engine/main ground.

 

I have had static shock issues with every Honda I have owned except for my 89 Civic Si autocross car (so 3 99-00 Civic Sis, 87 Accord, and 2008 Pilot).

 

Woah, thanks for the research. I searched some too but missed that link.

Interesting to see some of the commenters saying they get static too. I'll try out the hanging copper thing and then it sounds like I'm off to the tire store.

 

There is a company that rents pickup trucks from the company I work for, and all of their trucks that come back have one of these straps bolted to the frame. They haul some very expensive/delicate x-ray equipment for inspecting underground pipelines. Not sure if they would help your application, but someone is trusting them to help protect some valuable equipment from static.

 

They aren't there to protect the equipment. They're there because they're required on a lot of oil and gas sites, gas plants, etc. Static discharge on an oil and gas site has the potential to create some unwanted fireworks.

 

Do you have aftermarket covers on the seats?

Remove them and see what happens.
If you don't have seat covers, throw a cotton drape over the seat to see if it will make a difference.

 

Noting much new to contribute. GC has addressed the triboelectric issues. Many a zap zap problem in manufacturing can be explained by this chart. A dragged ground strap for the vehicle should also make a big difference. IIRC they sell them at car stereo stores.

 

Here is a series of questions. Please answer them to the best of your ability.

Does this happen with one specific door or the whole vehicle?

Do you have any aftermarket accessories like radio, sub/amp etc?

Was this a previous conversion van for like wheel chair access?

What type of battery is in it? Stock size? Connections secure? How are your ground cables?

How old is the alternator and if possible can you check to see if the case is cracked/damaged?

It probably is static electricity. Does this happen with the car on/off or that doesnt matter? If it occurs all the time even initially entering the vehicle try touching a metal or rail or something to eliminate any static buildup on your body and then try opening the door. If you know there isn't static buildup from your body then there's gotta be something electrical with the van causing it.