Lighting pilot in a Suburban H20 Heater (older)

Ok, here's some interesting information. There's a red seemingly insulated connection that comes out of the backing of the water heater's exterior and re-enters near the place there flame is supposed to ignite (is that the ignitor?) and when it's going the 't-t-t-t-t" thing and I touch that I get a shock. And it's completely plastic-coated and rubberized that seems like should tell us something. ?