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A PSA about rodent damage....

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by TrailGuy2016, Jul 9, 2022.

  1. Jul 9, 2022 at 12:39 PM
    #1
    TrailGuy2016

    TrailGuy2016 [OP] New Member

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    Hello viewers!

    My dear friend has just had a shocking repair bill to his 2016 SR5.
    Rodent damage to the main wiring loom has set him back $4,700. He decided to get the entire thing replaced "factory" style vs. fixing it, which would leave it unshielded.
    All lights on the dash were on, crank no-start. My scanner showed one code, the crank position sensor. But the damage was much more severe once dug into.

    It was out at his rural place and parked very near to where his dad's Corolla experienced the same thing last year, to the tune of $3,100.

    They are now going to bring the thunder against all rodents within a mile of the property to avoid these repairs once and for all.

    I'm taking questions and will report back.

    YMMV.
     
    Tmiesowicz likes this.
  2. Jul 9, 2022 at 1:01 PM
    #2
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

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    Sounds like it could be a fun thing to hunt those fuckers down! Fuel and a match down a hole is a start
     
  3. Jul 9, 2022 at 1:50 PM
    #3
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

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    I think they hate the smell
     
  4. Jul 9, 2022 at 3:43 PM
    #4
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    My bill was $9K for a full engine harness replacement at the dealer. At the time my Runner wasn't even 2 years old. Thank goodness for insurance. I use Grandpa Gus's peppermint oil spray but most say it does nothing. I also ditched the engine cover.
     
  5. Jul 9, 2022 at 3:52 PM
    #5
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    Where on the vehicle did the damage occur? Is there a particularly vulnerable spot to apply the oil?

    When we first moved into our house there was a rodent issue. We tried all types of traps and poisons but what did the trick was putting out cat food. At first the cat food drew more rodents, but before long the neighborhood strays started coming around and before long the rats disappeared. Now, years later, the neighborhood supports a healthy owl and raptor population. :)
     
    TrailGuy2016[OP] and 7385 like this.
  6. Jul 9, 2022 at 6:31 PM
    #6
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    I had mice earlier this year. Fortunately I discovered them before serious damage. Just chewed up the cabin air filters on my car and wife’s.

    I set up mouse traps, killed three and sprinkled peppermint oil inside the engine bays. Apparently mice don’t like the smell.

    So far, no further problems.

    D137274F-E01B-41C7-881B-A536944CF3E4.jpg
    297434EC-D4E6-44BC-8506-FA9A81334F90.jpg
    067EA106-5FCD-4CCC-A34A-22E4F4496ED2.jpg
    96CB5395-5245-4C02-9744-2D6167375A07.jpg
     
    Bodie the Dog, 2Toys and 7385 like this.
  7. Jul 9, 2022 at 7:06 PM
    #7
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

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    Awe it’s napping
     
    TrailGuy2016[OP] likes this.
  8. Jul 9, 2022 at 7:20 PM
    #8
    afret

    afret 2022 ORP, KDSS, Toyo AT3

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    Just build a garage that's sealed up well and put poison bait here and there around the edges.
     
  9. Jul 9, 2022 at 8:05 PM
    #9
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    I see cats hunting around my 4R all the time and really enjoy them.
     
  10. Jul 9, 2022 at 8:21 PM
    #10
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    And I don’t have to feed them.:)
     
  11. Jul 9, 2022 at 8:37 PM
    #11
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    My cars were in the garage. These days they can’t even build a house that’s sealed up let alone a garage, but it’s a nice thought.
     
  12. Jul 9, 2022 at 9:47 PM
    #12
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    I have used bounce fabric softener in my boat to store for years and had good luck with friends. I used a ton maybe 150 sheets in an 18 Ft boat. It’s amazing how fresh the boat smells in spring.

    Maybe I should try keeping some in garage with my traps. Luckily no issues but I keep a few traps out there.
     
    ecoterragaia likes this.
  13. Jul 10, 2022 at 2:35 PM
    #13
    M1crazy

    M1crazy New Member

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  14. Jul 11, 2022 at 2:30 AM
    #14
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia New Member

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    That's a great idea, definitely going to try this. We occasionally find them in our little aluminum fishing boat too.
     
  15. Jul 11, 2022 at 7:06 AM
    #15
    universalfrost

    universalfrost New Member

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    ive got ground squirrels and squirrels that love to go into my vehicles (my neighborhood borders the woods on all sides)... tore up all the hoses on my BMW that i made the mistake of leaving in the driveway for a week while i was working on a project in the garage... all the little critters love to find places to nest and hide their acorns, etc... just wait til fall and it gets really bad... some bags of mothballs or the deer / rodent repellent (lowes, etc) in the engine compartment regularly keeps them away...
     

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