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Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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Timboslice
New User
Mar 4, 2022, 2:29 PM
Post #1 of 12
(1616 views)
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Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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This morning I started my 2015 Honda Civic to get greeted with a “check charging system” message. I opened my engine up to find a rats nest and a chewed up wire. Anyone know what the wire is for and how much to fix? Will my car make it 20 minutes to the dealership running on battery life? (Highway speeds) Thank you!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 4, 2022, 3:33 PM
Post #2 of 12
(1606 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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LOL, your car has 5000 different wires. Sure I know which one the rat ate.
You don't need a dealer but tow it to a reputable shop with electrical experience.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 4, 2022, 8:48 PM
Post #3 of 12
(1589 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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It's not funny - rodent damage can be a nightmare.
Can you see same color wire with ends anywhere near alternator? It's more likely the damage is higher up the critters want heat, make nests out of hood insulation, anything even somehow get in thru heater ducts damage easier or harder.
If you plain see two ends of wires they go together. Learn to splice wire + solder it don't forget shrink wrap over the splice.
You may need help as HT said and I agree tow it if this isn't for you but prepare so it will not happen again so I'll suggest some tricks.
When all set again park forward where you put this then backwards. USE THIS CAR MORE OFTEN AND ERRATICALLY.
If a garage decide if bait for rodents is prudent for you, pets or other things especially children almost none is deadly for creatures that vomit - rodents can't (save the stories) so weak junk sold today is slow to work a cat/dog or child would vomit it or such is the idea.
No puns on my current avatar a good barn cat is the answer if you don't have one find someone who does ask for used cat litter with strong odor of a cat - it works!
Old tricks of moth balls do not or marginal help they are no longer the chemical that once was try some anyway.
High risk problem rodents chew to wear out teeth grow some incredible speed need to wear them down they are NOT eating wire and the insulation it just works for them - common issue.
Back > move the car don't trust battery alone for that long of use but do keep it charged to move it if a must.
Wire repair done right up to you to learn for now just match up if not clear get help. Pigtail ends available or from an exact used car at some "pick your own" junk parts place could help.
Help your help with this if extensive - ask for names of parts and get looking around or asking around.
Good luck - this problem really stinks some can take hours to fix how much unknown there are wires to everything - measured by untold 100s of feet just under a hood rodents seeking heat of even unused engines up top usually gone if you approach it so don't see them?
Whacked but serious problems - good luck but don't let it happen again you can solve it,
T
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greasy one
User
May 23, 2022, 11:50 AM
Post #4 of 12
(1172 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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I have stocking up on moth balls from WM. They say 'old fashioned' and seem it. Not sure if this means anything.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 23, 2022, 12:20 PM
Post #5 of 12
(1166 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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It used to help now "paradichlorobenzene" (sp?) isn't sold anymore - read the package. It helps.
Old thread still valid long ago now other tricks were to NOT park in the same place even if just turned around if you must use same parking spot.
If in a garage with power certain silent noise things can work but drive pets and other things nuts so beware,
:-) Tom
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greasy one
User
May 23, 2022, 1:30 PM
Post #6 of 12
(1155 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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This stuff is naphtalene sp?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 23, 2022, 3:19 PM
Post #7 of 12
(1147 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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Sounds right? I just looked here still had the old stuff. I can't say if either work for sure?
Moles or voles in my yard used to put a couple in their holes and they just threw them out!
This subject really scares me I have many vehicles most not used much so try to prevent that nightmare. Generators, had a critter in a 48 Deere tractor made havoc.
Other antique stuff would be hard to figure out damage unless I could find both ends of wires.
No puns it's a problem the few Aggie (farmer's like places) will use cat urine and or for deer damage (big time not vehicles) cayote urine deer will stay away.
Never say you dislike your work/job I can't imagine the job of collecting that - yuck!
If you didn't know I'm inland of Boston, MA there's still some wild creatures here to cause damage.
Whatever you try let this site know if you're convinced in works?
So far so good here but I pay attention, Tom
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greasy one
User
May 23, 2022, 3:27 PM
Post #8 of 12
(1145 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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It says not for mice. They will lock you up if you do. Fed. crime for any other use too, not on box.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 23, 2022, 3:35 PM
Post #9 of 12
(1139 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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You can't fix stupid! You just should want them away it's doubtful any of it kills them? Tom
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greasy one
User
May 23, 2022, 4:06 PM
Post #10 of 12
(1135 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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I actually read on this awhile back. They want your clothes and balls only in a sealed place like a vault. They think anything less will be deadly in your house. Not sure if a scuba tank is needed to get your sweater out. Totally serious. I guess cars and sweaters should be replaced.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 23, 2022, 5:36 PM
Post #11 of 12
(1128 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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You guys are flooding this guy's inbox that hasn't been here in 3 months.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 23, 2022, 5:51 PM
Post #12 of 12
(1126 views)
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Re: Rat got into my engine compartment, chewed up a wire
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Hmm on that. Pretty sure a neighbor's house came close to burning down over rodents chewing on house wiring possibly in an attic space over an attached garage as that was a total loss to its concrete floor!
Cars/vehicles how about chew on lines that could and do cause fires around fuel.
No politics but given a choice that fire could have killed 4 people house so smoked out couldn't see inside!
Real story I watch the wild fury to get them out and fire out too late for what was in that garage.
Said already "Can't Fix Stupid"
The poisons that were once legal cause insane thirst critter would leave as it was tasty.
Trivia: It contained product to induce vomiting - rodents can't vomit (look that up it's true) so if a pet or child somehow ate it they just throw it up.
That was smart long gone now,
T
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