Rodent Ate My Battery

[eternus]

Went out to my truck to pick up my birthday dinner, pushed start and nothing happened. I tried a couple of times and while i got lights, It wouldn't fire up. I jumped in my wife's car instead, figuring i'd deal with it later. Its later.

I went out there, popped the hood to see if i needed to jump it and this is what i saw. I'm floored. Flummoxed. Really not sure what to do. I mean obviously I get to replace the battery, but there are a couple of wires in there that I can't easily replace, there is the hood liner thats all chewed up as well, and there is the fact that whatever did this... is still somewhere in the area.

Anyone encountered this or have suggestions? I hate to pay Jeep to fix this but I'm not sure what to do about the wiring.

Update 1 week later: I had it towed to the dealer because it still wouldn't start after getting a new battery into it. ($280) and after a few days of insurance and dealer jumping through hoops, I got the approved estimate back from my insurance.

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[Blue Ridge Holler]

Happy Birthday!

We just spent over $700 on rodent-wire eating repairs on our Cherokee. Their advice was:
(1) to spray a solution of peppermint or capsaicin hot pepper sauce mixed with water and a few drops of Dawn detergent so it spreads. Generously spray everywhere there is plastic or rubber. Have pump - Will spray!
(2) I have two different electric “anti-rodent” sound devices in our basement and we still get mice.
(3) Get a cat
(4) Garage (if you can) and traps.
Good luck!

 

[ErylFlynn]

To semi repeat. Peppermint oil spray is highly recommended, we had an issue with the wife's car and not since I started spraying when the weather cools and occasionally spraying through the season.

Traps, if you thin you might have mice set traps. I used a batter powered zap trap. That way no risk of an animal eating the mouse and getting sick.

Also evaluate your garage if you park in the garage and figure out how mice might be getting in and close up the gaps. No guarantee but every bit helps.

 

[ecidiego]

I have a LED strobe light and ultrasonic sound device mounted in the engine compartment and I spray peppermint oil..... I do get nervous with the peppermint oil. Can I liberally just spray the s*** out of the engine with it with all the wiring harnesses and connectors?

 

[ecidiego]

I have not had this problem ever throughout my entire life with any vehicle parked in the driveway until the Jeep they must just be easier to climb up into.

 

[Hootbro]

I have never seen them go after a battery like that. That is crazy. ?

 

[Rocksalt]

peppermint oil spray

 

[Rusty PW]

I have never seen them go after a battery like that. That is crazy. ?

Me either. Hope that critter drank some of the battery acid and it burnt it's insides.

 

[jeepers29]

This just happened to my mom's car. They had to replace the entire harness. 8k to fix it. Fortunately, insurance covered most of it.

 

[HooliganActual]

HOOD LOCKS!!!!

Sorry…couldn’t resist. That’s crazy. I’ve never seen them hit a battery like that either.
I read somewhere that this may be happening more because there is more soy being used in the manufacture of plastics and wiring insulation.

Get your insurance company working on the repair; Comprehensive should cover this.

 

[Reddog]

Went out to my truck to pick up my birthday dinner, pushed start and nothing happened. I tried a couple of times and while i got lights, It wouldn't fire up. I jumped in my wife's car instead, figuring i'd deal with it later. Its later.

I went out there, popped the hood to see if i needed to jump it and this is what i saw. I'm floored. Flummoxed. Really not sure what to do. I mean obviously I get to replace the battery, but there are a couple of wires in there that I can't easily replace, there is the hood liner thats all chewed up as well, and there is the fact that whatever did this... is still somewhere in the area.

Anyone encountered this or have suggestions? I hate to pay Jeep to fix this but I'm not sure what to do about the wiring.

Much of today’s wiring insulation is made from vegetable based products because, after all, it has to be green, right? Furry rodents like the stuff but never seen them chow down on a battery before. This is big problem if you live in places with lots of field mice like farms etc. I have my booat stored at sons ranch and I put lots of mice bait in areas of boat to make sure I still have wiring and seats when I want to use it. Put a few of the mice bait bricks in engine compartment to give the little critters a final meal.

 

[legacy_etu]

Wow, that sucker was hungry!!!

 

[Great Offender]

Acorn season is passing but the squirrels are everywhere. Thought it was curious that I found shells in the battery box so I vacuumed them out. Week later I found shells on top of the battery and I don't need a gold shield or investigation to know why. Bought one of those electronic thingies that seems to be working but I like the idea of the peppermint spray. Why not make it smell good too? Just ordered on Amazon.

This obviously sucks for the OP and the subject has been covered before, I think this is always good useful information!

 

[KrashEd]

Totally rat-fk'd it. Like others have said, we use peppermint oil as well as a bar of Irish Spring soap under the hood/by the battery to help prevent BS like this.

 

[Joe_G]

Just had this happen on my wife's brand new car...new wiring harness necessary. Comprehensive insurance covers this so suggest you call your insurance company before you clean it up as they will want pictures of the damage...hard to deny yours is rodent damage tho!!

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