HVAC Entry Location ? ( Mouse Related )

[XJeepguy]

Anyone ever disassemble the HVAC system on a early 3rd Gen ? Anyone know where the fresh air intake is ? I have a mouse inside my 98 4Runner . In fact I saw this little ****er in the engine compartment yesterday when I was checking my fluids. He scurried off towards the hood hinge assembly on the pass. side . Dont know where he went from there but he was inside the truck this morning and he ran up , I'm sure it was the passenger side floor vent , this happened on my way to get coffee this morning and it freaked the shit out of me haha.
This is the 2nd one in a few years , the last one's life ended when he entered the fan zone . Centrifugled to death I believe . How do they get inside the heater system from outside ? You think there would be a screen or something stopping this invasion ?

Thanks for any info .

Jeff

 

[spartacus]

Mice can can get into anything. He is going in an out through the fire wall. put some mouse bait killer in the car in one of those plastic containers that only the mice can access just incase you have pets or kids. pet snake could help too.

 

[shazbot]

I think the inlet vent is under the wiper cowl on the passenger side. I think if you turn your HVAC to recycle air instead of fresh air it will close the HVAC door to the outside vent. But if a mouse is in there it might have chewed a hole in the foam that seal the door.

 

[Devbot]

Mice can can get into anything. He is going in an out through the fire wall. put some mouse bait killer in the car in one of those plastic containers that only the mice can access just incase you have pets or kids. pet snake could help too.

I second this, lay some bait asap. The longer he's in there, the more he's shitting and the bigger health hazard it'll become - in unreachable places, more than likely. God forbid he starts munching on electricals.
I also believe the user above me is correct in regards to it being in front of the windshield, and that he probably entered in somewhere else. I'd worry about getting it first, then peek around for where it may have made entry.

 

[shazbot]

If you pull the squirrel cage off you can look up into the HVAC unit and check out the door, its got grey foam inlaid into it. My foam is ancient and falling apart to the touch. Found this post with some pics.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2064398-post52.html

 

[Kanoe]

The mouse is absolutely using the air intake for an access. That’s where it is, passenger side and nearly inaccessible.

Search my thread “no more mice” for a look on how I screened in that air vent. We camp in the 4Runner and I battled the mice for a while.

 

[XJeepguy]

Set a trap last night ( peanut butter ) , going to go out in a bit and see what is in it . I'll update later , thanks for all the replies , much appreciated .

 

[XJeepguy]

Bam !!!

Going to drop the fan after my run to town . Clean things out and see if I can look up the tunnel . I did see tiny pieces of foam , think its what shazbot said .
Then I'll look at doing my best to mouse proof it .

Report to come .

 

[phattyduck]

I think the inlet vent is under the wiper cowl on the passenger side. I think if you turn your HVAC to recycle air instead of fresh air it will close the HVAC door to the outside vent. But if a mouse is in there it might have chewed a hole in the foam that seal the door.

That's the picture right there. The main air source is right there at the base of the windsheild (screened normally). From that cavity, air goes to the passenger side (below where it is solid at the 'top' of this picture), then down into the HVAC system. On each end of the wiper cavity, there are also water drains. That is how the mouse would be able to easily get into that area, then the vehicle interior. The only way you will be able to mouse proof is likely from below with the fan motor removed.

-Charlie

 

[Kanoe]

The only way you will be able to mouse proof is likely from below with the fan motor removed.

Yup, that's what I had to do. Worked upside down on my back to make a screen to cover the inlet. Bit of a pain but only 4 or 5 hours work all in. No mice in the interior since.

See Thread: No more mice!

 

[XJeepguy]

I just got home now and off to read your post .

Yup, that's what I had to do. Worked upside down on my back to make a screen to cover the inlet. Bit of a pain but only 4 or 5 hours work all in. No mice in the interior since.

See Thread: No more mice!