1/26/2024 I needed to make a short trip to the store, so got in the truck and got to the stop sign at the end of the block and three warnings came on; check engine, precollision assist not available and Powertrain/4WD reduced power. I was put in limp mode and I went directly back home. It was too late to do anything, so I waited until the next day.
1/27/2024 After a total fiasco with Ford Roadside Assistance, I was able to get the truck to the dealer. It was a Saturday, but a cursory look and it was found it was rodent damage to the wiring. I immediately searched for rodent deterrents and solutions. Ordered Vehicle Defense and mothballs from Amazon.
1/29/2024 The dealer said it was not mouse or rats that did the damage, they suspected a rabbit. No droppings, no nest. I was informed this is common now because of soy based wire insulation that they make the harnesses/wiring out of as well as using vegetable oils on them. Insurance will pick up the bill minus my deductible.
1/30/2024 The total bill was $1,356.21. I'm responsible for $510 of it. Brought the truck home and sprayed it with the Vehicle defense. Used half the bottle. Threw mothballs on the ground under the engine bay and placed two mesh bags with mothballs in the engine bay. Chirped the horn every hour. Drove it a few blocks before bed.
1/31/2024 Chirped the horn upon waking up and every hour after that. Drove it several blocks before work. (I work from home.) At approximately 11:30 this morning, a neighbor knocked on my door and told me there was a squirrel in the engine bay. I could hear it. I opened the hood and saw it. I got in, took it for a drive, got home and opened the hood again and it was staring at me. I attempted to poke it with the broom. I hope I got it but I don't know.
There is more wire damage and it is now at a shop down the street from me having that repaired. For all I know, it is still in there, doing even more damage while I wait my turn at the shop. The gentlemen at the shop are brainstorming on a way to keep it out or keep it from chewing the wires.
I have had to set up a rental, again, for the weekend as I have places I have to be at on the weekends. How many thousands of dollars am I going to have to spend? I've done hours and hours of research and feel very defeated. Soy based wires, a feeding ground. The shop I took it to is brainstorming solutions. I want death to the squirrel, as they are territorial. My old Jeep? Squirrels didn't give a crap about the wiring. Nor do they bother any other vehicles out there. I don't have a garage.
click to see larger images
1/26/2024 I needed to make a short trip to the store, so got in the truck and got to the stop sign at the end of the block and three warnings came on; check engine, precollision assist not available and Powertrain/4WD reduced power. I was put in limp mode and I went directly back home. It was too late to do anything, so I waited until the next day.
1/27/2024 After a total fiasco with Ford Roadside Assistance, I was able to get the truck to the dealer. It was a Saturday, but a cursory look and it was found it was rodent damage to the wiring. I immediately searched for rodent deterrents and solutions. Ordered Vehicle Defense and mothballs from Amazon.
1/29/2024 The dealer said it was not mouse or rats that did the damage, they suspected a rabbit. No droppings, no nest. I was informed this is common now because of soy based wire insulation that they make the harnesses/wiring out of as well as using vegetable oils on them. Insurance will pick up the bill minus my deductible.
1/30/2024 The total bill was $1,356.21. I'm responsible for $510 of it. Brought the truck home and sprayed it with the Vehicle defense. Used half the bottle. Threw mothballs on the ground under the engine bay and placed two mesh bags with mothballs in the engine bay. Chirped the horn every hour. Drove it a few blocks before bed.
1/31/2024 Chirped the horn upon waking up and every hour after that. Drove it several blocks before work. (I work from home.) At approximately 11:30 this morning, a neighbor knocked on my door and told me there was a squirrel in the engine bay. I could hear it. I opened the hood and saw it. I got in, took it for a drive, got home and opened the hood again and it was staring at me. I attempted to poke it with the broom. I hope I got it but I don't know.
There is more wire damage and it is now at a shop down the street from me having that repaired. For all I know, it is still in there, doing even more damage while I wait my turn at the shop. The gentlemen at the shop are brainstorming on a way to keep it out or keep it from chewing the wires.
I have had to set up a rental, again, for the weekend as I have places I have to be at on the weekends. How many thousands of dollars am I going to have to spend? I've done hours and hours of research and feel very defeated. Soy based wires, a feeding ground. The shop I took it to is brainstorming solutions. I want death to the squirrel, as they are territorial. My old Jeep? Squirrels didn't give a crap about the wiring. Nor do they bother any other vehicles out there. I don't have a garage.
Updates coming.
- Sonja D., Lakewood, US