Problem...and opinions...needed

[cjchamp]

Well yesterday was supposed to be a day of work and accomplishment for my 00' f250 PS...Big Dave and myself were going to be doing a tranny flush oil change and put in my issapro gauges finally...Ive had all this for a while now and was excited to get things rolling and put some of my own additions into a new to me truck...

Well at about 10am I run out side to grab my wallet and remote start my truck cause I need to get a few more things from Murdochs before Dave and Pam come down.... after about one minute the truck had'nt started so I go out side.....TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT...after a long period of saying "wha the %*^$?" I pop the hood and see what the F was up...a damn rodent or squirrel was in the chewed up a crap load of wires. well I was pissed:mad: ...called dave to re-schedule but he came down anyways....THANKS AGAIN DAVE AND PAM....and I was able to re- wire and sauder wires back to where the truck starts no issues...no Im ok with wireing...but this was a mess im unsure what I should do.

the shielding on some of the wire including my ground to one of my batterys had been assaulted pretty bad...I electrical taped all exposed wires and butt connectored and sudered a few the wrapped again....

My concern is should I still take it to the dealership and have them do it? take a look at the wires and deem it to be safe? this truck is new to me and I dont want to be liable for a fire...

lastly any ideas on to prevent this from happening again?

[The Man With The Plan]

Those damn rodents love the taste of wire insulation. Maybe sprinkle some d-con on the wires? Keep a cat in your garage?

[plaurie]

My In-laws in Nebraska have had mice in their garage and they have those little plug-in boxes that emit a high pitch squeeking noise. It is supposed to keep them away. You might try Murdochs or Tractor Supply.

You should also be sure to keep dog food if you have it sealed up tight. I have seen mice take dog food and store it away in the strangest places. IE mufflers,air boxes...etc. Best of luck!

[89Runner]

I wouldn't waste my money taking it to the dealership, they would probably do the same thing you did, or suggest you need a new harness. As long as you did a quality solder job, and sheilded the wires with electrical tape, or heat shrink. I used to be a wrench, and had a brand new car (8000 miles) that a rat got ahold of, and destroyed the entire harness. I replaced it and had to test drive the car with my head out the window, because all the rat piss and s**t was burning off the manifolds :barf:

As for the mice, get some d-con, my Dad uses it in his garage and doesn't have any issues with them now. Be sure to place the d-con right up against the wall, because mice use walls to guide themselves using their whiskers.

[cjchamp]

I wouldn't waste my money taking it to the dealership, they would probably do the same thing you did, or suggest you need a new harness. As long as you did a quality solder job, and sheilded the wires with electrical tape, or heat shrink. I used to be a wrench, and had a brand new car (8000 miles) that a rat got ahold of, and destroyed the entire harness. I replaced it and had to test drive the car with my head out the window, because all the rat piss and s**t was burning off the manifolds :barf:


Thats kinda what I thought....I gues when It warms up I will go back through the wireing and really make sure I wrap the crud outta those wires and make it look better....

Damn Varmins

[CSP]

Personally I'd ditch the electrical tape and cover your solder joints with heat shrink. You may have to de-solder and re-solder to get it on though.

There's also liquid electrical tape (hardware stores should have it) that's much better than electrical tape.

Many engine control functions can go bad if there's any contamination or voltage loss and using electrical tape for a permanent fix is just asking for both.