Hi all,

I'm new here so please bear with my noobness, I don't know much about cars, yet. :happy:

Quick summary of how I got my car, first car: Got it pre-owned by the first owner. Specs is on my sig.
Mileage is 126k as per the dashboard unit says when I got it. Had one of father-in-laws mechanic friends have a look and replaced/fixed these:


Front Right Indicator Replacement
2x Rocker Cover Gasket Kit
3x Platinum Spark Plugs
3x Iridium Spark Plugs
Brake Fluid
Change Oil
Change Oil Filter
Engine Coolant
Power Steering Belt
Alternator Belt


Used to be getting 12.7L/km to 13L/km (correct me if I'm wrong with the unit) before replacing/fixing the above.
Now is 12L/km to 12.5L/km. Just used "city" driving as you might say here in Perth. A few long drives, 30mins to 1hr from time to time. Looking to get the 02 sensor replaced to see if fuel consumption will improve. (got the idea of 02 sensor being faulty because of google)

Had it for about 2 months now.

So, as the title says. I don't know why my car has one of these cables hanging around at the back of the car. Refer to the image below:

http://i.imgur.com/whYVU6q.jpg

The one on the left is I know is the cable for towing, and is broken, I'll just try to epoxy glue that back when I have the time.

The one on the right is the one I'm confused about.

The reason I got interested about the cable is that from time to time now, I get shocked/electricuted from the car. And is getting now more often.

Say I parked the car, turned it off, opened the door to get out, reaching the door to help me get out on the edges of it, and boom, a mild shock. It's not really much, but it gets annoying from time to time and especially becoming more often. (I don't even know if this has to do anything about the cable in question above, but based on google and friends, car is not being earthed/grounded?).

See, I've tried to observe other cars from the same model/year/brand/manufacturer and haven't found one with a cable sticking out. Old model/years are the ones that I've found with them.

So, anyone knows what it is?

P.S.
I haven't taken a look if cable is broken from somewhere. Will be doing that when have the right amount of time to check, and fix if it is.

The strap on the right is a grounding strap. if your getting shocked getting in and out of your car, the strap may have worn down past a servicable limit. i suggest replace it if you wish.

#1 replace the earth strap
#2 buy cotton underwear and Jeans with wool or cotton seat covers - no static charge.
#3 - my solution to #1 and #2 step out of the car with your leg pressed against the door sill - the zap still may happen but spread over a larger area - no pain!

The strap on the right is a grounding strap. if your getting shocked getting in and out of your car, the strap may have worn down past a servicable limit. i suggest replace it if you wish.


#1 replace the earth strap
#2 buy cotton underwear and Jeans with wool or cotton seat covers - no static charge.
#3 - my solution to #1 and #2 step out of the car with your leg pressed against the door sill - the zap still may happen but spread over a larger area - no pain!


Is the strap meant to be hanging outside? Because I've seen other exact model but doesn't have one. Is this meant to be strap onto something underneath the car?

use is there any way it could have something to do with the type of coolant in the radiator?

-- is there any way it could have something to do with the type of coolant in the radiator?
I'm speculating about how some people have probs with static charge and some don't. Clothing et.c. is something to consider. The discharge strap is meant to earth any charge built up in the car. Some have straps and have no probs, some have them and do, some don't have straps and have no probs some do. Just speculating. ... one source of static charge is fluid flow through pipes. How isolated is the radiator. Rubber hoses to engine, coolant in hoses. Coolant can go from non conductive to conductive, the engine has an earthing strap. Does the radiator? Is there any anecdotal indications that changing coolant has an effect? ? ? earthing the radiator? earthing yourself before touching car. I don't know.

Is the strap meant to be hanging outside? Because I've seen other exact model but doesn't have one. Is this meant to be strap onto something underneath the car?

Yes, It's supposed to hang down and touch the road intermittently. I've never been convinced about these things, frankly. I would guess that the road is the primary source of static charge build up in a car, collected by the tyres rolling over it, in which case the condition and type of road surface and constitution of the tyres are probably the biggest factor in how much static builds up. The road surface clearly isn't very conductive, otherwise it would not hold a static charge, so the hanging down wire thing is very unlikely to discharge anything into it. In fact, I reckon it would be more likely to increase the static build up as it's just another collector dragging over the road. I've never had one and rarely, if ever, get zapped. If it was my car I'd remove it.

PS: If you commonly get zapped and are fuelling up with one of those pumps where you can flick the little lever and the pump runs without you needing to hold the lever in, DO NOT get back into your car and then get out to stop the pump. This is a common cause of petrol station fires, mainly in the US where such locking pumps are still commonplace.

Yes, It's supposed to hang down and touch the road intermittently. I've never been convinced about these things, frankly. I would guess that the road is the primary source of static charge build up in a car, collected by the tyres rolling over it, in which case the condition and type of road surface and constitution of the tyres are probably the biggest factor in how much static builds up. The road surface clearly isn't very conductive, otherwise it would not hold a static charge, so the hanging down wire thing is very unlikely to discharge anything into it. In fact, I reckon it would be more likely to increase the static build up as it's just another collector dragging over the road. I've never had one and rarely, if ever, get zapped. If it was my car I'd remove it.

PS: If you commonly get zapped and are fuelling up with one of those pumps where you can flick the little lever and the pump runs without you needing to hold the lever in, DO NOT get back into your car and then get out to stop the pump. This is a common cause of petrol station fires, mainly in the US where such locking pumps are still commonplace.

I agree with the above. Static electricity unfortunately is more prevalent in dryer climates and the Australian climate is one of the harshest/driest in the world thus making it real easy for static to build up. bb61266's response is the same method I use while getting out of my car - touching something metallic before I put my foot on the ground while exiting the car. My car doesn't have an earthing strap but I never thought that earthing straps worked anyway.

As a point of interest, individuals can also generate different levels of static. My brother can rub his hands vigorously for 5 seconds and zap me and I mean 'throw a visual spark' with his index finger about an inch away from any exposed area of my skin. Sadly, I can't do the same. This just means that some people will get zapped more than others. Good luck with the car and hope that helps.

I agree with the above. Static electricity unfortunately is more prevalent in dryer climates and the Australian climate is one of the harshest/driest in the world thus making it real easy for static to build up. bb61266's response is the same method I use while getting out of my car - touching something metallic before I put my foot on the ground while exiting the car. My car doesn't have an earthing strap but I never thought that earthing straps worked anyway.

As a point of interest, individuals can also generate different levels of static. My brother can rub his hands vigorously for 5 seconds and zap me and I mean 'throw a visual spark' with his index finger about an inch away from any exposed area of my skin. Sadly, I can't do the same. This just means that some people will get zapped more than others. Good luck with the car and hope that helps.

Thank you so much for all the help guys. Really appreciate it.

I haven't had the time to really check it out myself to see if its disconnected off from something, the reason I said this is that on my home, I saw the same car as mine and vigorously observed if the car has the same strap as mine, shockingly the car doesn't. I don't know if this was put on purpose (hanging around), or above. So still a bit of a grey area.

P.S.
If it is meant to touch the road/ground, I really do think that the strap is rather short to touch it. About still 2-5 inch short I reckon.

Yes, It's supposed to hang down and touch the road intermittently. I've never been convinced about these things, frankly. I would guess that the road is the primary source of static charge build up in a car, collected by the tyres rolling over it, in which case the condition and type of road surface and constitution of the tyres are probably the biggest factor in how much static builds up. The road surface clearly isn't very conductive, otherwise it would not hold a static charge, so the hanging down wire thing is very unlikely to discharge anything into it. In fact, I reckon it would be more likely to increase the static build up as it's just another collector dragging over the road. I've never had one and rarely, if ever, get zapped. If it was my car I'd remove it.

PS: If you commonly get zapped and are fuelling up with one of those pumps where you can flick the little lever and the pump runs without you needing to hold the lever in, DO NOT get back into your car and then get out to stop the pump. This is a common cause of petrol station fires, mainly in the US where such locking pumps are still commonplace.

Thank you so much for the tip. Fortunately, I don't really do that. I always tend to stay on the pump handle, constantly monitoring the pump meter and don't really leave the pump going then go back inside the car. I only go back inside the car when I'm done. I haven't seen any pumps like that here on our area, but pretty sure is already available on other areas. Either way, will never do that. Thanks again.

I'm speculating about how some people have probs with static charge and some don't.<edit> The discharge strap is meant to earth any charge built up in the car.

Static charge needs somewhere to store a charge - and a great place is your hair as the charges are all the same polarity and don't like to get too close - hence your hair stands on end when charged.

So I'd reckon Bald Men and buzz cut don't get zapped much, guys who use a lot of gel in their hair don't get zapped much, women with very long hair don't get zapped much as they often pony tail it, leaving those with clean hair an inch or two long as a perfect static discharge target.

Combine this with an earth strap on the car that earths THE METAL BITS but not the synthetic seats, carpet, door trim and plastic handles - nicely charged up you step out onto the ground or touch your le to the door sill and Kabam - roll of thunder :-)

So Choices are: Go Bald, don't wear fancy synthetic clothes, and have a wool seat cover and - no zap - but maybe uncool too?

Either way I think earth straps only seem to make a difference for planes, helicopters, etc that can build up a static charge above ground - or maybe 500Km/h Magnas?

So Choices are: Go Bald...

Got that sorted... don't remember it being a choice though!

Skanob...static straps were quite common back in the "dark old days" of the 60s. I used to see them all the time on cars. My dad put one on all our cars back then. Not only were they meant to diffuse static charge in the car body they were also meant to ward off car sickness as it was believed static electricity had something to do with that as well.

The strap poses no danger to you and is not connected to anything important like wiring, etc. It's just bolted on to the body. I'd be more concerned about getting that towing plug squared away asap.

For the record, a pump service guy told me a few years ago that the actual act of taking hold of the pump nozzle as you take it from the bowser will ground any static out of you. No need to fear static ignition anymore. Oh...and it's true, some people generate more static electricity than others due to perspiration rates, what they are wearing...etc...

My wagon has a static electricity strap. I know it's there, I don't touch it. It's just hanging around. Do not know if it works or does not.

For the record, a pump service guy told me a few years ago that the actual act of taking hold of the pump nozzle as you take it from the bowser will ground any static out of you. No need to fear static ignition anymore.

That's precisely the reason for not re-entering the car and returning to the pump, if using a locking pump nozzle. When you first grab the grounded pump handle while it's hooked into the bowser there's not much in the way of petrol fumes hanging around, so even if there's an arc between your hand and the nozzle it's unlikely to start a fire. On returning to the car you can re-charge your static build-up, so then when you get back out and grab the nozzle and there's a little arc the nozzle is now surrounded by petrol fumes rising from the open tank, particularly on a hot day. This was covered in a Mythbusters episode (that also found that mobile phones are very, very unlikely to start a petrol fire BTW), presumably the locking petrol pumps are still common in the US while I haven't seen one here for quite some years (Diesel yes, petrol no).

The one on the left is a connector plug for a trailor... i think

Got that sorted... don't remember it being a choice though!

Complain the manufacturers about the warranty period - I tried about the grey hair - they referred me to the grandparents... maybe a class action on Adam and Eve?

I need a grounding strap on my TJ. The static buildup while driving is doing something weird to my Brock polarizer and water-to-fuel converter.

For the record, a pump service guy told me a few years ago that the actual act of taking hold of the pump nozzle as you take it from the bowser will ground any static out of you. No need to fear static ignition anymore.

Yes, but then your grounded body and nozzle gets placed into the receptacle of a potentially charged metal car body.

The way to do it is to put your left hand on the car body and leave it there the whole time. Then with your right hand, pick up the nozzle and insert it into the car and pump the fuel. Take it out, return it to the bowser, put the filler cap in, close the door, - all with your right hand, then remove your left hand from the car body.

If there isn't a permanent connection between you, the car, and the bowser, then static electricity can potentially do it's thing. Look at how aircraft are refuelled - a bonding strap connects everything together before you get started, until after fuelling is finished. Pretty simple concept.

Yes, but then your grounded body and nozzle gets placed into the receptacle of a potentially charged metal car body.

The way to do it is to put your left hand on the car body and leave it there the whole time. Then with your right hand, pick up the nozzle and insert it into the car and pump the fuel. Take it out, return it to the bowser, put the filler cap in, close the door, - all with your right hand, then remove your left hand from the car body.

If there isn't a permanent connection between you, the car, and the bowser, then static electricity can potentially do it's thing. Look at how aircraft are refuelled - a bonding strap connects everything together before you get started, until after fuelling is finished. Pretty simple concept.

My new Nike runners insulate me from the ground.

So there goes that theory out the window.

Never had a problem with static zaps from a car. I'm assuming the carbon in the tyres (used to make them black) is enough to provide some conductivity and dissipate any static build-up while driving.

( I could be wrong. Does happen at times . . . lol)

Skanob...static straps were quite common back in the "dark old days" of the 60s. I used to see them all the time on cars. My dad put one on all our cars back then. Not only were they meant to diffuse static charge in the car body they were also meant to ward off car sickness as it was believed static electricity had something to do with that as well.

The strap poses no danger to you and is not connected to anything important like wiring, etc. It's just bolted on to the body. I'd be more concerned about getting that towing plug squared away asap.

For the record, a pump service guy told me a few years ago that the actual act of taking hold of the pump nozzle as you take it from the bowser will ground any static out of you. No need to fear static ignition anymore. Oh...and it's true, some people generate more static electricity than others due to perspiration rates, what they are wearing...etc...


Just had a bit of time to take a look on where it is connected. And took a picture of it:

http://i.imgur.com/4qZChY0.jpg

I guess its safe for me to just remove it?

It's not really much but it's just aesthetically not looking good. And probably a bit of stigma that I'm the only car that I can see with one of these.

I guess its safe for me to just remove it?

Yes definitely safe to remove it. I don't think anyone's actually mentioned it but this strap is an after market accessory which is why you don't see many cars with them on these days.

I used to get zapped all the time when getting out of my Verada but it hasn't happened now for a long time and I'd forgotten all about it until I read this thread. I have no idea why it's stopped happening and also it has never happened with my Hyundai. Neither cars have a grounding strap.

Yes definitely safe to remove it. I don't think anyone's actually mentioned it but this strap is an after market accessory which is why you don't see many cars with them on these days.

I used to get zapped all the time when getting out of my Verada but it hasn't happened now for a long time and I'd forgotten all about it until I read this thread. I have no idea why it's stopped happening and also it has never happened with my Hyundai. Neither cars have a grounding strap.

Thanks for the help. I'll remove it this sunday.