Just another rodent wiring problem 2018 TRDP

[Noshirtganshirt]

Have seen a few instances of people having their wiring harnesses chewed through in various spots.

Went to get in the Pro over the weekend, started fine. CEL, ABS, Multimode terrain not available.

Towed car to dealer. They diagnosed and found a chewed through oil control valve wire. $200 to repair wiring. Toyota not covering repairs under warranty. Spoke with Toyota HQ and made a case number.

I know rodents and other critters have been digging around cars since the beginning of time, so I don’t expect Toyota to cover it under warranty. I also know that the soy based wiring material doesn’t help the critters from staying away.

What are some preventative things I can put in or spray under the car to keep rodents away? Any tips and tricks would be great. I’ve heard spraying pledge around the wiring/engine bay.

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[ElectroBoy]

... What are some preventative things I can put in or spray under the car to keep rodents away? Any tips and tricks would be great. I’ve heard spraying pledge around the wiring/engine bay.

There are stories of backpackers who park at remote trailheads in the Sierras when returning to their vehicles after several days find their wiring and even hoses chewed by rodents or marmots. And if your have any kind of food or visible plastic wrappers inside, black bears may break in to investigate. I put mothballs in various places around and under the truck. Who knows for sure, but it works for me.

 

[jhguth]

 

[headpaneer]

I saw this topic addressed on Motorweek recently.

Meals on Wheels | MotorWeek

 

[shrub1]

There are stories of backpackers who park at remote trailheads in the Sierras when returning to their vehicles after several days find their wiring and even hoses chewed by rodents or marmots. And if your have any kind of food or visible plastic wrappers inside, black bears may break in to investigate. I put mothballs in various places around and under the truck. Who knows for sure, but it works for me.

One of my biggest fears that I don't have much control over.

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

I had my wife's Kia parked for seven days in our housing estate while on holiday, a few months back. Started up poorly so rang dealer. They told me to bring it in. Drove about half way (20mins) then it died on the freeway. Had to get it flat-bedded to dealer. Rodents had chewed thru many parts of the engine bay wiring loom.

Had to replace all engine bay wiring, under insurance. I asked for them to provide me the old loom. It was chewed in sooo many places!

They told me drier sheets like the ones you place in your laundry drier work in repelling the bastards. They said place about four around the wiring in various spots. Did this with seven sheets, and so far no more issues but a neighbor had his wiring loom chewed thru a few weeks back.

We are now fighting with property management to step up rodent control!!!

 

[Banzai]

Car Capsule?

CarCapsule 18' Tall Indoor - CarCapsule

 

[Industrialwrench]

sticky traps. Put them around the inside and outside of the tires. Sticky traps x8. This worked for me several times. I’ve been told that the wire insulation has soy in it causing the critters to eat it. Sucks hard. For Sierra trips it’s more bears ripping the roof off for a snack then mice eating your wiring...

 

[Akkording]

Rat poison in a tall opened cup clamped securely, of course beware of pets and children...

 

[FrenchToasty]

Rescue a cat from a local shelter, win win win

 

[ElectroBoy]

Hahaha!
A car diaper!

 

[Noshirtganshirt]

Rescue a cat from a local shelter, win win win

If my two were as small as a cat we wouldn’t even be talking about this right now haha. They’ve been sniffing these mice under our deck for some time now.

A few poison blocks have been placed under and around our deck for now (the pups can’t get to them of course). Will be doing the dryer sheet method also.

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[wcjeep]

If my two were as small as a cat we wouldn’t even be talking about this right now haha. They’ve been sniffing these mice under our deck for some time now.

A few poison blocks have been placed under and around our deck for now (the pups can’t get to them of course). Will be doing the dryer sheet method also.

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Reconsider the poison traps with domestic animals around. There's a chance the poisoned mice will die in easy reach of someone's pet that eats the poisoned mouse. Our current dog got sick off a dead carcass dropped by the crows. She made a full recovery.

Cats and small terrier based dogs are excellent for rodent control. Beagles are excellent at rodent control, can never be off leash. Miniature Snauzer works well with German Shepherds, smart dogs that can be trained. Snauzer also hypoallergenic.

 

[WaldoJPL]

...Maybe Try This?

Have seen a few instances of people having their wiring harnesses chewed through in various spots.

Went to get in the Pro over the weekend, started fine. CEL, ABS, Multimode terrain not available.

Towed car to dealer. They diagnosed and found a chewed through oil control valve wire. $200 to repair wiring. Toyota not covering repairs under warranty. Spoke with Toyota HQ and made a case number.

I know rodents and other critters have been digging around cars since the beginning of time, so I don’t expect Toyota to cover it under warranty. I also know that the soy based wiring material doesn’t help the critters from staying away.

What are some preventative things I can put in or spray under the car to keep rodents away? Any tips and tricks would be great. I’ve heard spraying pledge around the wiring/engine bay.

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.....Go to:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/107166-what-did-you-do-your-5th-gen-today-2170.html

...check out post 32543 and 32544......Hope it will help ya with the nasty little buggers?!.......Cheers!.....

 

[Ghostrider]

This is becoming a bigger issue and Toyota and others deserve to be in court. Honda has started selling a tape with hot sauce that dealers wrap wires with. Toyota and others had to know that choosing soy based wiring would attract animals that like it. You can't design something this way and then claim you have no responsibility to fix it. In this case I think a lot of insurance companies are going to court since they are paying for the bad design

 

[jhguth]

Hahaha!
A car diaper!

lol that's actually from the national park service, that's what they tell you to do when you park in marmot country

 

[Akkording]

Noice!!

 

[Breadman03]

I believe my father in law got his insurance to pay for rodent damage to his Rav4 wiring harness. I don't know that $200 is worth filing a claim, though.

 

[ElectroBoy]

lol that's actually from the national park service, that's what they tell you to do when you park in marmot country

You’re right! It’s the latest recommendation by the NPS to deter marmots. What a PITA.
https://home.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/marmots.htm

The Sierra marmot problem seems to be worst in Sequoia/Mineral King.
One technique that *used* to work was setting up a chicken wire fence around your car perimeter. But the critters figured out how to defeat it. They’re pretty strong and can push or dig under a flimsy fence.
(See photo below)

There are lots of stories of marmot damage to hoses and wiring, and even some cases of them stowing away and riding to southern CA and San Jose.

https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2010/08/marmots-and-men/

https://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/marmot-damage-t59252-15.html

Here’s an article about rodent deterrence. Some methods are dryer sheets, Irish Spring Soap, peppermint oil, moth balls, pine sol cleaner. Another idea is to pop your hood to let in light since rodents like to nest in the dark.
https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/Getting-Rid-of-Rats-or-Mice-in-Your-Vehicle-Reader-Suggestions

 

[Thrasher_S]

Rescue a cat from a local shelter, win win win

Just need a custom "cat carrier" bumper or roof rack.