Rodent Wiring Damage!

tdworl

Mar 31, 2023

Apparently my 2022 OBX is tasty...to squirrels.

Out of the blue, my dash turned into an XMas tree of warning lights - ABS, Blindspot, Cross-Traffic, Parking Assist and then my backup and 360 camera stopped working. I take it in expecting a failed chip or something but turns out the squirrels - we live in a wooded area - like eating on the wire covering b/c it's a soy-based plastic.

Has anyone else had a similar issue?

Thx!

14U, Laura

Last edited by a moderator: Mar 31, 2023

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Mar 31, 2023

tdworl
Apparently my 2022 OBX is tasty...to squirrels.

Out of the blue, my dash turned into an XMas tree of warning lights - ABS, Blindspot, Cross-Traffic, Parking Assist and then my backup and 360 camera stopped working. I take it in expecting a failed chip or something but turns out the squirrels - we live in a wooded area - like eating on the wire covering b/c it's a soy-based plastic.

Has anyone else had a similar issue?

Thx!

I remember something about Toyotas having this problem years ago, but have never heard of Fords suffering at the hands of suicidal rodents…

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Mar 31, 2023

tdworl
Apparently my 2022 OBX is tasty...to squirrels.

Out of the blue, my dash turned into an XMas tree of warning lights - ABS, Blindspot, Cross-Traffic, Parking Assist and then my backup and 360 camera stopped working. I take it in expecting a failed chip or something but turns out the squirrels - we live in a wooded area - like eating on the wire covering b/c it's a soy-based plastic.

Has anyone else had a similar issue?

Thx!

They ate the wires on roof of my building solar panels....we had the rodents "relocated"

Reserved 7/14/2020 - Ordered 1/20/2021- home on 9/18/21.
Outerbanks, A51, High package, Tow capability, (MIC top-REMOVED 8/12) , Aux

Mar 31, 2023

I had a woodchuck do that to our TrailBlazer back in the day! Yup, it sucks!! My husband has found dog food in the battery housing of his Mustang at our old house 😳 they are a menace!!!

Apr 03, 2023

Let me introduce you to my friend the European Marten. This guy systematically killed every single vehicle my unit had in Germany. They would shred the underhood wiring and total cars. Nothing we could figure out would keep them at bay.

Here is a write-up from Jalopnik on the problem
https://jalopnik.com/how-cute-ferret-like-animals-cause-germany-65-million-1788013196

2023 Wildtrak. "Sometimes you got to get lost, to get found" -J Bronco

Apr 03, 2023

My wife had this problem on her old Hyundai. The mechanic suggested putting dryer sheets under the hood. Also peppermint oil is supposed to work. Here's an article on the problem with suggestions on how you can keep the pesky little critters away from you car! https://www.carfax.com/blog/how-to-keep-rodents-out-of-your-car

OnX Trail Guide
4 Door BadSquatch | Soft-top | Velocity Blue | 2.7 Auto

Apr 04, 2023

tdworl
Apparently my 2022 OBX is tasty...to squirrels.

Out of the blue, my dash turned into an XMas tree of warning lights - ABS, Blindspot, Cross-Traffic, Parking Assist and then my backup and 360 camera stopped working. I take it in expecting a failed chip or something but turns out the squirrels - we live in a wooded area - like eating on the wire covering b/c it's a soy-based plastic.

Has anyone else had a similar issue?

Thx!

Thankfully no, but here in Arizona we have problems with packrats tearing up wiring in vehicles. The very first thing I installed on our Bronco was an under hood light called Rid-a-Rat. It randomly emits a bright flash of light that messes with p-rats night vision. We haves lived in rural desert area for more than 30 years and never had a problem. They are sold on Amazon.

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