Rodent Ate My Battery

[gouacats]

I had a rat chew thru my rid-a-rat wiring...luckily didn't get to anything more important/expensive.

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[Banned]

 

[AstroZombie]

My brother in law had the VW ID-4 less than a month rats ate the external temp sensor. Literally the sensor the reads outside temps. Completely whacked out his HVCA system and car would go into limp mode. Dealer wanted 1700 to fix. I fixed it with a $7 kit of self soldering butt connectors (i used 1) and fabric electrical tape. Looked factory when i was done. Never had an issue after that.

 

[fourfa]

Did any battery acid spill?

 

[Cburd61]

My wife had bought a new Fiesta in 2011. Had it a week, and she came in to tell me all the dash lights were on, and it wouldn’t start. I popped the hood and, sure enough, chewed wires everywhere. (We live in the country, and have about 10 feral cats that hang out around the house). We ended up having it towed to the dealer, who put a complete engine harness in. Luckily, the service manager ran it through as a warranty repair, and it didn’t cost us anything. (There aren’t many dealers like that anymore!). Started spraying the hell out of the ending bay with predator scent, and peppermint oil every couple of weeks,, and never had it happen again. So much for all of the cats hanging out.

 

[eternus]

I got the estimate from the dealer:

Glad insurance is covering that cost. I would have been "upgrading" to aftermarket for sure.

 

[eternus]

Did any battery acid spill?

They chewed along the top edge, so they didn't get into the cells. It's also an AGM battery so I don't think they use acid anymore, just an electrolyte solution, not much liquid, and not acid.

 

[KevinM60]

I got the estimate from the dealer:

Glad insurance is covering that cost. I would have been "upgrading" top aftermarket for sure.

Holy mackerel. That's a lot of damage.
Did the rodent really chew that much or is the dealer milking it?

 

[eternus]

Holy mackerel. That's a lot of damage.
Did the rodent really chew that much or is the dealer milking it?

I think the issue is that he chewed a handful of different things, but once a little bit is chewed then you have to replace the whole thing. I don't know about the plenum but I think anything chewed on there was cosmetic at best. the Fuse box was definitely mangled. There were 3 small wire chews but I'm guessing they're just replacing that entire harness... it was preventing the truck from starting. So while I don't think they added untouched parts to the mix, I do think they're replacing things that would were functioning fine.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They chewed along the top edge, so they didn't get into the cells. It's also an AGM battery so I don't think they use acid anymore, just an electrolyte solution, not much liquid, and not acid.

It's still sulfuric acid (called electrolyte be in a flooded cell or absorbent glass mat battery)
It's about 1/3 sulfuric acid in both cases.

 

[KevinM60]

I think the issue is that he chewed a handful of different things, but once a little bit is chewed then you have to replace the whole thing. I don't know about the plenum but I think anything chewed on there was cosmetic at best. the Fuse box was definitely mangled. There were 3 small wire chews but I'm guessing they're just replacing that entire harness... it was preventing the truck from starting. So while I don't think they added untouched parts to the mix, I do think they're replacing things that would were functioning fine.

They were unchewed before he got there so it makes sense that they replace whatever isn't in top condition because of it.

 

[mog]

24/7 security

 

[ecidiego]

I've SOAKED my engine compartment ( smartly not causing shorts ) with peppermint oil. Also have strobe lights and shit...it's like a freaking Christmas party under there.

 

[Viper501]

I prefer 5.56.

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