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Old 12-03-2014, 05:58 PM   #1
Branchman
 
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Unwanted inhabitant

Just completed our annual trek to FL in our 2014 FR3.

The check engine light came on early in the trip.

Upon arrival in FL I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer for diagnosis.

They determined that a rodent had chewed some wiring, causing the malfunction.

Needless to say, the $490 repair was not covered under warranty.

I am looking for any suggestions, other than getting a cat, to prevent this from happening again.

Thanks in advance for solutions!
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Old 12-03-2014, 06:16 PM   #2
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Ah'lets see..............dont overnight on the way down or back next to the dumpster at wally world?
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Old 12-03-2014, 06:18 PM   #3
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What wiring did the rodent chew through? Eliminating those lil' buggers is a challenge that proves daunting to say the least. There's a ton of threads on here to discourage mice from chewing up the interior, but keeping them from devouring the chassis wiring may require constant vigilance and moving the unit constantly in the fall. Leaving it near woods and immobile for long periods of time is dinner time for them.
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Old 12-03-2014, 06:36 PM   #4
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I bought a used 2014 30DS a few months ago that was traded after 1200 miles for a larger coach. While I was in the battery bay running wires to a new inverter I discovered what looked like red fluid on many of the harness surfaces. I assumed it was trans, brake, or power steering fluid. Turns out is was a product called "mouse away" that is spayed on to prevent rodents from climbing in on or munching on the wires.

I don't know what it costs and may not have paid for it myself but that's an option you can try.
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Old 12-03-2014, 06:41 PM   #5
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Correction. It's called "mouse free" repellant spray on. My dealer confirmed that the first owner used it on my coach.
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Old 12-03-2014, 07:34 PM   #6
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At home we use peppermint OIL, not extract, around the exterior doors and the pantry door in the kitchen, it works. You may need to reapply after wet trips. Hit the web search, info all over on using it. DW lays out moistened cotton pads at thresholds. Maybe you could spray it on your tires like Armor-All
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Old 12-03-2014, 08:48 PM   #7
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Thanks for all the tips.

I am going to try spraying some mouse away in the engine compartment.

Thanks again
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Old 12-03-2014, 09:02 PM   #8
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Branchman; Did you check if your insurance would cover it under your comprehensive coverage?
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Old 12-03-2014, 09:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloydg View Post
Branchman; Did you check if your insurance would cover it under your comprehensive coverage?
We had that happen on my wife's 86' Taurus in 1987. As long as it could be documented that an animal did the damage our insurance covered it. Had to replace the entire wiring harness.
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Old 12-04-2014, 03:37 PM   #10
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I did check with GEICO and my deductible is higher than the repair cost.
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