Rats Chewing Vehicle Wiring Harness

[dave from deland]

My 2015 Ford's right turn signal went out so I took it to Villages Ford to have it replaced. They said that either rats or squirrels had gotten to the wiring harness and chewed through it. It will cost $550.00 to replace it. I live in Santiago and my home backs up to the Gopher Tortoise protection area. Has anyone else had my problem in The Villages?.

[Railcruiser]

Yes. Many people with Christmas lights too!

[DonH57]

At least someone uses turn signals here. Maybe the critters didn't think you needed them!

[bagboy]

My 2015 Ford's right turn signal went out so I took it to Villages Ford to have it replaced. They said that either rats or squirrels had gotten to the wiring harness and chewed through it. It will cost $550.00 to replace it. I live in Santiago and my home backs up to the Gopher Tortoise protection area. Has anyone else had my problem in The Villages?.

The same thing happened to my sister-in-law in Buttonwood while their car was parked in the driveway. Their home is far from ponds, golf courses, nature areas, etc. It can happen anywhere.

[Sandtrap328]

You should feed the rats better so they don't get so hungry that they have to chew your wires! :wave:

[villagetinker]

IMHO, get a second opinion on the repair costs, try 1 or 2 of the local repair shops. If this is just the 12 volt wiring going to the lights, this should be much less, however, there maybe warranty issues to be concerned about.
On your original question, I have seen ads for critter repellents that can be installed under the hood, no idea how well these work, or the drain on the battery. There may be some passive options, not sure.

[dave from deland]

You should feed the rats better so they don't get so hungry that they have to chew your wires! :wave:I have had Massey come out and they placed a 'feed' station for the hungry critters.

[dave from deland]

IMHO, get a second opinion on the repair costs, try 1 or 2 of the local repair shops. If this is just the 12 volt wiring going to the lights, this should be much less, however, there maybe warranty issues to be concerned about.
On your original question, I have seen ads for critter repellents that can be installed under the hood, no idea how well these work, or the drain on the battery. There may be some passive options, not sure.Thanks, Ford recommended mothballs or peppermint oil in the engine compartment. The warranty doesn't cover it but my auto insurance does, with a $250. deductible.

[NotGolfer]

Rats love citrus AND they also live in palm trees which is why we didn't plant any of the above. So if you have these in your yard you may have issues with them doing their "mischief".

[dewilson58]

Shocking. This is just shocking.

[John_W]

This will take care of that problem and will also keep your car shiny and new.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/48/7a/2c/487a2c4c697f1183680c0bb607c7ec79.jpg

[Jima64]

We had ignition and other problems related to rodents chewing some harnesses on our HHR. Car was garaged during this time. Now it is outside in the driveway and no new problems.

[Topspinmo]

My 2015 Ford's right turn signal went out so I took it to Villages Ford to have it replaced. They said that either rats or squirrels had gotten to the wiring harness and chewed through it. It will cost $550.00 to replace it. I live in Santiago and my home backs up to the Gopher Tortoise protection area. Has anyone else had my problem in The Villages?.

Be glad it was lighting wiring and not CPU input wiring. Had this happen to me few years ago with Iz. trooper. Parked it in the driveway on Friday night and when to gas it up on Sunday and it wouldn't start. Seen squirrel running out from underneath it. Was making nest by the brake booster and chewed up anything that go in her way, engine control harness and the master cylinder cap.

Squirrel chewed through the main input cable from the engine to the CPU. When I turned the key it blow out the CPU. Priced new on $1895. So I went to junk yard and got one for 25 bucks, spliced the wiring and it was "On the Road again" But some of the wires was shielded (hard to splice shielded wire) and it didn't idle the same after "wondered".

[Chatbrat]

Rodents chew all the time in order to keep their teeth from getting out of control

[jpvillager]

Up North, had the same problem with chipmunks.

[gatherer47]

had one in the garage-by the time we got him,he ate the wiring in the washing machine,ate the vacuum cord,and got several wires in the golf cart!

[juneroses]

Read an article related to the problem in the automotive section of the Daily Sun this A.M. One suggestion was rodent deterrent tape:

How to Protect Your Car From Rodents | Rodent Tape - Consumer Reports News (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/04/how-to-protect-your-car-from-rodents/index.htm)

[dave from deland]

Read an article related to the problem in the automotive section of the Daily Sun this A.M. One suggestion was rodent deterrent tape:lThanks for the information, Ford said they would tape the new harness with this tape. I ordered a roll from Amazon.

How to Protect Your Car From Rodents | Rodent Tape - Consumer Reports News (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/04/how-to-protect-your-car-from-rodents/index.htm)Thanks for the information, Ford said they would wrap the new wiring harness with this tape. I ordered a roll from Amazon.

[Oneiric]

Had same problem with rodents chewing on wires and tubing in pool heater. Have heard rodents hate fabric softener sheets but I rely in bait stations instead.

[OhioBuckeye]

My 2015 Ford's right turn signal went out so I took it to Villages Ford to have it replaced. They said that either rats or squirrels had gotten to the wiring harness and chewed through it. It will cost $550.00 to replace it. I live in Santiago and my home backs up to the Gopher Tortoise protection area. Has anyone else had my problem in The Villages?.

You took the words right out of my mouth as soon as I read TV topic. I was going to say you live very close or you back yard backs up to a Protected Wilderness Area. I always thought that was rat heaven. Feel bad for your damage on your new car, but I would be putting bait traps around. Beautiful living around these areas but you probably would be better off buying a house on a golf course. We live in TV of Charloette & I haven't even seen a mouse or rat in the 5 yrs. that I lived hear. GOOD LUCK!

[2BNTV]

I had rats in the attic that chewed thru phone wires twice.

Massey came out the first time and accomplished nothing.

Massey sent someone who knew what they doing the second time and the problem was resolved.

[arickis]

You should get another estimate. Village Ford has a bad reputation for price gouging.

[twopjt]

Dryer Sheets will keep the chewers away. We had problems with all the rodents (mice, squirrels, rats) when we were snowbirds, but the sheets - tuck 4 or 5 under the hood - will solve the problem. Just be sure to remove them before you start up or you may create a fire. We also used on: motorcycles, garden tractors, in outbuildings, etc.