time to drop the headliner I'm afraid.
Having done enough rodent infestations and totaled two cars so far this year. I can tell you that the headliner is the last place they get into, usually because they've been everywhere else. If they're in the headliner, it's probably totaled at that point because they've been in everything else except the door panels (they don't seem to really bother getting in the doors for some reason, I guess it's mainly because they'd have to eat through the speakers to get inside them vs. everything else?)
Last night left work and a bad smell of dead rodent hit me when I opened the driver's door. While sitting in truck it seems to come from everywhere but it appears to be strongest in the cargo area. I got under the truck and didn't smell anything. I thought maybe something died in spare tire. Looked around engine bay and no smell either. Anyone knows if there is any opening that a rodent can enter into the truck? Won't be able to take cargo area apart till I get back from vacation. Also looked under seats and no smell in that area. My truck is going to smell ripe by the time I get back.
If it smells like a dead rodent, you probably have an infestation in the vehicle (usually you won't notice it unless your sensitive to smells like me until it gets sizable. First spots I would check are:
-Cabin Air Filter
-Spare Tire Tool Area
-Back Panels where you can remove covers.
IF you do find stuff on the cabin air filter or in the back, do not clean it out without taking good pictures to show your insurance.
Usually what happens is they get in through the cabin filter area, eat through that, fall into the blower motor... if they don't get blended up by the blower motor, they make their way into the HVAC unit and/or into the car from there. Usually they will find spaces under the carpets, behind quarter panels and start tearing up the insulation matting to make nests.
At this point, your best bet would probably be to take it to a shop or dealer and have them start by checking the usual spots, maybe pull a panel or two and determine if further tear-down is needed.
Some vehicles I've done have been as simple as cleaning out the blower box, installing a new cabin air filter, and a rodent screen. Others have required replacement of the entire HVAC assembly (about $4~5k in parts and 8~12hrs of labor). Most recently I've had the insurance total a 2013 Sienna and a 2012 Prius because it needed the entire interior, HVAC assembly, ect.
Not trying to scare you, but I see a lot of rodent issues in my area since I moved up here and am just being honest about to look for/expect.
