Rodents chewing wires on daughters car- Soy based?

[Riverfamlee]

So, my daughter gets in her car yesterday and and its got the "service traction control" light on the "check engine" light on and its running like shit. First thought was plugs or the ignition pack. No, problem, take my car and I will check it out later. Well turns out a Rat went to town on her wires! Little bastard didn't leave me much to work with either. There's a engine cover and foam heat shield under it that they tore up too.

I did a google search to see if it was common in her model (2018 equinox) and turns out several manufactures used soy based wiring for a while. Toyota even had a class action. I know rodents have been jacking up cars for a while but what was weird is he (or she lol) went past 2 other cars to get to hers in the driveway. Leads me to believe hers may have the soy based wiring. Wonder if they did the same on boats?

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/01/are-rodents-chewing-up-the-wiring-in-your-general-motors-vehicle/

 

[Long Way Home]

We had the same problem about four years ago and our homeowners insurance covered all the repairs at the Toyota dealership , combined for both cars was $8000, since then what I did was install a 12 V pest deterrent it makes a squeaky sound and the lights flash when the engine is not running , so far so good I have not had any problem since then.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Gotta pay for that damage obviously but get one of these and put it on the BOTTOM below the engine. They work and I use them on my 5th wheel as well as my dually. I had a problem one time about 10 years ago....but none since I added the lights. Get the one that has clips to the battery

Pack Rat Deterrent

Low Power LED Device That Discourages Nesting in Cars

www.ridarat.com

 

[DILLIGAF]

We had the same problem about four years ago and our homeowners insurance covered all the repairs at the Toyota dealership , combined for both cars was $8000, since then what I did was install a 12 V pest deterrent it makes a squeaky sound and the lights flash when the engine is not running , so far so good I have not had any problem since then.

Ouch! Thats great insurance covered it

 

[Mandelon]

I was finding palm nuts under the hood of one of our old trucks. Rats or mice bringing them in to chew on. I figured the wiring might be next. Some peppermint oil drizzled on cotton balls apparently works. They don't like the smell. I cleaned up the mess, added the minty balls and no more issues.

 

[bilz]

We had the same problem about four years ago and our homeowners insurance covered all the repairs at the Toyota dealership , combined for both cars was $8000, since then what I did was install a 12 V pest deterrent it makes a squeaky sound and the lights flash when the engine is not running , so far so good I have not had any problem since then.

Any info on this device?
I use sponges soaked in odo ban eucalyptus.

 

[yz450mm]

They got to the wiring on my 2020 3500 Duramax, there was just enough wire left for me to be able to solder it back together. It broke apart on the way to the river and we lost the AC, had to repair it again in an AutoZone parking lot, that was fun.

I started using this (on the vehicles kept outside) every week or two in the spring summer and fall, seems to be working.

 

[Long Way Home]

Again, that was a few years ago I cannot find the exact one, but I did buy it off of Amazon, it was something like this. Just check the reviews before you order. Amazon - https://a.co/d/eZhCtMC

 

[dread Pirate]

mothballs help too. That sucks and I've been there. Rodents have cost me more damage to vehicles than my dumbass has. I have about 6 cats on the ranch for that purpose..

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

Had the same thing happen to our Lexus. Needed the garage so the car sat out for a few days. Same thing little fucker destroyed the foam under engine cover and chewed the injector wires. Tech at Lexus said the exact same most foreign cars Euro and Jap use soy based wiring the rats love.

I also have a Tahoe and Silverado that had droppings under the hood but none of the wires were touched. I tried the Irish Spring bar soap and the dryer sheets which neither worked. Did not try the peppermint oil.

 

[rivermobster]

It's a cold weather thing...

The warm engine attracts em. I've done a lot of rodent damage repairs, when I worked at various dealerships.

Dug cats and opossum's out of engine compartments too.

 

[Cdog]

Baking soda and corn bread mix in a tin or dish. Fuckers cant digest it and bloat to death.

Death to all pack rats!!

 

[yamadog 426]

Remove the engine cover. Same thing happened to two of my cars. Removed the covers and it has worked for the last several months.

 

[Riverfamlee]

Remove the engine cover. Same thing happened to two of my cars. Removed the covers and it has worked for the last several months.

I did leave it off. More so just to make sure it didn't come back right away but that is a thought.

 

[DILLIGAF]

just get what I suggested. it works and I have heard most suggestions.

 

[500bbc]

So wiring cars with a food based insulation is a bad idea?

What woke green haired idiot came up with that?

 

[Riverfamlee]

just get what I suggested. it works and I have heard most suggestions.

For sure, I am getting one for our RV too.

 

[Cobalt232]

Rodents got my previous Audi. Chewed through the wires that control the electric fans. The Audi dealer said they have had cars declared totaled as they got to the main harness. I put in dryer sheets now.

 

[Racey]

So, my daughter gets in her car yesterday and and its got the "service traction control" light on the "check engine" light on and its running like shit. First thought was plugs or the ignition pack. No, problem, take my car and I will check it out later. Well turns out a Rat went to town on her wires! Little bastard didn't leave me much to work with either. There's a engine cover and foam heat shield under it that they tore up too.

I did a google search to see if it was common in her model (2018 equinox) and turns out several manufactures used soy based wiring for a while. Toyota even had a class action. I know rodents have been jacking up cars for a while but what was weird is he (or she lol) went past 2 other cars to get to hers in the driveway. Leads me to believe hers may have the soy based wiring. Wonder if they did the same on boats?

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/01/are-rodents-chewing-up-the-wiring-in-your-general-motors-vehicle/

View attachment 1344140 View attachment 1344141 View attachment 1344142 View attachment 1344143 View attachment 1344144

I've been saying it for years, soy kills

 

[TPC]

We've been experiencing this.
A handful of marshmallows as bait catches skunks and rats:

Skunks can't spray in it and I submerge it in a storage container full of water to dispatch them. I had no idea we had so many rats on the block.
You can smell marshmallows from 30 feet away. Peanut butter works too:

 

[jetboatperformance]

When I worked at dealerships this seemed to be common and as an inspector I still see it , usually they come in thru heater ac ducting , die and stink like death Auto comprehensive may cover it Note Most shops will not repair harnesses that could easily be fixed claiming whole harness needed I looked at a Mazda a while back at a dealer completley gutted and practically ever wire was being replace by my insurance client

 

[Ziggy]

I was finding palm nuts under the hood of one of our old trucks. Rats or mice bringing them in to chew on. I figured the wiring might be next. Some peppermint oil drizzled on cotton balls apparently works. They don't like the smell. I cleaned up the mess, added the minty balls and no more issues.

I use the heavily scented dryer sheets and lavender soaked rag pieces. Seems to keep 'em at bay.

 

[Backlash]

just get what I suggested. it works and I have heard most suggestions.

Just ordered one.

 

[River Dirt 2]

The C8 corvettes have the same problem, they eat the wiring to the shocks for mag ride control, out at Ron Fellows the field mice attack the cars. They wrap the shock wiring in foil

 

[DILLIGAF]

For sure, I am getting one for our RV too.

I have them on each corner of the 5th wheel plus at the opening where the genset is located. No issues in over a year now...knock on wood

I have two on my diesel engine. Ran one off each battery down to the bottom.

the magnets on the units are pretty strong so they dont fall off.

Some people buy blinking white or yellow Xmas lights and run them around the entire vehicle. def cheaper but have never used them.

 

[mjc]

So wiring cars with a food based insulation is a bad idea?

What woke green haired idiot came up with that?

This has happened long before soy based wire

 

[DaytonaBabe]

"mmm, soy!"

 

[dread Pirate]

I use the heavily scented dryer sheets and lavender soaked rag pieces. Seems to keep 'em at bay.

Forgot about these.

This truck threw a rod on some half ass skid road in the middle of a rainstorm. Had a bunch of trees come down on the road and it sat for over a year before I could get to it. Needless to say there isn't anything left of the interior or under hood.

 

[LazyLavey]

Only use deterrents...lights, noises, soaps, that chemical stuff that they don't like

don't use anything that will attract like bait poisons... that will just attract them. Sure, they're eventually die but they may cause some damage on their way to their afterlife

I use lights in my RV engine compartment after I found hundreds of snail shells under the intake manifold...

 

[500bbc]

View attachment 1344216

"mmm, soy!"

Soy Rat..I'm dying here...

 

[BajaMike]

Peppermint oil sprinkled around and chunks of Irish Spring bar soap around your garage help to keep cock roaches and rodents away. They hate it.

 

[DILLIGAF]

For sure, I am getting one for our RV too.

make sure they are all cleared out and then add the light

 

[Big B Hova]

@Bigbore500r used whiskey and bb guns to keep the rats out

 

[Gramps]

About 15 years ago we adopted two cats to live in the shop and keep the mice, rats and chipmunks in check.....it worked good BUT the cats attacked almost every power cord in the shop!!!!!! The outer cover of the cords must be soy based and the cats love it.

 

[lbhsbz]

When you fix it, tape 'em up with capsacin tape. Honda part number 4019 2317

 

[TimeBandit]

When you fix it, tape 'em up with capsacin tape. Honda part number 4019 2317

View attachment 1344371

Rodents think this stuff is an appetizer.

Only cure is parking in a well sealed garage.

 

[Dannyo]

Ugh! That sucks! This huge one sleeping in my engine. And caught an additional 18 of his/her kids.

 

[Jefftowz]

We tow cars for this all the time, the wires are put together using vegetable oil for some reasons.