It cost me a couple of hundred bucks. That included having them go ahead and thread a new cable also....alot more than I think it should have been. Threading a new cable is supposed to be a fairly simple job. My problem was (like you) I couldn't figure out how to get the freakin thing open so that I could even thread a cable! You might try calling the dealership and seeing if they'd give you some tips...you honestly never know.
The electric shock...probably static electricity if I was going to toss a guess out there.
