1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Rat Attack

Discussion in 'Electrical' started by glennbama, Aug 20, 2021.

  1. Aug 20, 2021 at 7:37 AM
    #1
    glennbama

    glennbama [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2021
    Member:
    #67009
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Glenn
    Got into 2015 Tundra yesterday and could not shift out of park. Used bypass button to get out of park and took to dealership for diagnosis. Tech took pic of where a rat had chewed through a wire and nearly chewed through others. I came home and could not find those wires after an hour of looking. Can anyone give me a clue as to where I might find those wires from the attached pic?? Want to see3 if it's possible to repair myself. Tech told me they would solder the wires back together and then he told me the "standard charge" is $850.00. If I find the wires and cannot do it myself, IO will look around for a better price.
    Thanks in advance!!

    Rat Wires.jpg
    Rat Wires.jpg
     
  2. Aug 20, 2021 at 7:51 AM
    #2
    AZTundra

    AZTundra No Longer a New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2018
    Member:
    #12894
    Messages:
    4,163
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2017 White Crewmax Limited 5.7 FFV
    Magnuson Supercharger, TRD Goodies (Pro Suspension, Pro Grille, Exhaust, CAI, Rear Sway Bar, Oil Cap). Weather Tech Floormats, BakFlip MX4, Spray In Bedliner, AMP Research Bed Extender and Bed Step, Side Steps, B&W Adjustable Drop Hitch, AJT Designs Battery Hold Down, SDHQ Sliders.
    Engine bay next to the airbox?

    I'd have to assume $850 is to replace the harness. Soldering the wires wouldn't take much time at all.
     
    avssuc and YardBird like this.
  3. Aug 20, 2021 at 7:56 AM
    #3
    glennbama

    glennbama [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2021
    Member:
    #67009
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Glenn
    Is that under the hood or inside under the dash or console. The charge is to solder the wires and THAT"S it! They said I was lucky because to replace the harness would be $5000. $2900 for the harness and the rest in labor!!! I really appreciate your prompt response!!
     
  4. Aug 20, 2021 at 9:06 AM
    #4
    NoRcptn

    NoRcptn Better than mediocre poster

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #19520
    Messages:
    1,516
    Gender:
    Male
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Platinum
    GFC, Dobinsons IMS, RW's 285/75/17
    Looks like the bottom half of the fuse box to me. Painted metal, wiring harness, etc.
     
  5. Aug 20, 2021 at 9:13 AM
    #5
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #379
    Messages:
    5,055
    Gender:
    Male
    Rockies
    Vehicle:
    Souped up truck
    Magnuson Magnum TVS 2650 S/C Sniv's Speed Shop 70mm pulley RCF Throttle Body TRD PRO BBS Wheels TRD Front Sway Bar TRD Rear Sway Bar Fox TRD Pro Shocks Limited mirrors (auto darkening/backup camera/power fold/puddle lights) Limited Grill Mod Automatic Climate Controls Mod Automatic Headlamp Mod Sequoia Transfer Case Mod Sequoia Leather Steering Wheel Mod Sequoia Limited Gage Cluster Mod Sequoia LED Headlamp Upgrade Window Tint 15/70% Fake Manual Transmission Mod 10" BAMufflers Stainless Catback Valhalla Catalytic Converter Shields Engine Block Heater Illuminated Ignition Key Ring Mod Deck Rail System w/cleats Solid Offroad Engine Mounts
    I'd solder them for half that price...screaming deal! ;)

    Geez, it's solder, not gold.

    If that affects the Shift Lock, I wonder if it could be under the center console.
     
    FrenchToasty likes this.
  6. Aug 20, 2021 at 9:25 AM
    #6
    daveS67

    daveS67 New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2021
    Member:
    #63455
    Messages:
    64
    Gender:
    Male
    Yeah, damn rats, mice and squirrels love to nest and sleep under the hood!...both in significantly cold and hot weather.

    Good luck with the repair. I would definitely try doing it yourself if you figure out the wire routing.

    Once you get it repaired. try an electronic pest repelller for cars. I have one in each car...some are better than others. They emit an ultrasonic pulse that the pests don't want to be near. Some also have strobe lights to annoy them.

    You can also use peppermint oil inside the engine bay...they hate the smell of that. I also took some strong smelling Irish Spring soap, shredded it up like shredded cheese, put it in plastic bowls and placed the bowls in the engine compartment overnight....they hate the smell of that too. A simple, quick trick is to simply leave the hood open. The rodents are looking for shelter and the hood keeps the heat in in the winter, keeps the cool shade out in the summer. They nest in there too so crack the hood once a week and check for nests.
     
    avssuc likes this.
  7. Aug 20, 2021 at 9:26 AM
    #7
    NoRcptn

    NoRcptn Better than mediocre poster

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #19520
    Messages:
    1,516
    Gender:
    Male
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Platinum
    GFC, Dobinsons IMS, RW's 285/75/17
    Ohh good call of another place to check.
     
  8. Aug 20, 2021 at 9:27 AM
    #8
    AZTundra

    AZTundra No Longer a New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2018
    Member:
    #12894
    Messages:
    4,163
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2017 White Crewmax Limited 5.7 FFV
    Magnuson Supercharger, TRD Goodies (Pro Suspension, Pro Grille, Exhaust, CAI, Rear Sway Bar, Oil Cap). Weather Tech Floormats, BakFlip MX4, Spray In Bedliner, AMP Research Bed Extender and Bed Step, Side Steps, B&W Adjustable Drop Hitch, AJT Designs Battery Hold Down, SDHQ Sliders.
    I poked around in my engine bay, but didn't see anything that matched up to the picture.
     
  9. Aug 20, 2021 at 1:07 PM
    #9
    NoRcptn

    NoRcptn Better than mediocre poster

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #19520
    Messages:
    1,516
    Gender:
    Male
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Platinum
    GFC, Dobinsons IMS, RW's 285/75/17
    There was someone else n here that had all the wiring diagrams. Long shot but I wonder if you could detail it out from a wiring schematic. I’ll dig around…
     
  10. Aug 20, 2021 at 1:08 PM
    #10
    NoRcptn

    NoRcptn Better than mediocre poster

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #19520
    Messages:
    1,516
    Gender:
    Male
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Platinum
    GFC, Dobinsons IMS, RW's 285/75/17
  11. Aug 21, 2021 at 6:00 PM
    #11
    glennbama

    glennbama [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2021
    Member:
    #67009
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Glenn
    I appreciate all your input and the gentlemen who said under the console get the chicken dinner. It was just in front of the shift lever. Anyway, I found a mechanic to do it for $$200 so Toyota can shove it!!
    BTW, thanks for the recommendations for keeping them out with scents and soap. I flooded the garage with rat poison and parked the truck outside the last couple days. The mechanic also put a baar of dove (in the box) in the console area near the wires. He said he's had a lot of success with that. I will try the peppermint oil under the hood as well.
    Thanks to you all for responding........you are all GREAT!!
     
  12. Aug 21, 2021 at 6:07 PM
    #12
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #379
    Messages:
    5,055
    Gender:
    Male
    Rockies
    Vehicle:
    Souped up truck
    Magnuson Magnum TVS 2650 S/C Sniv's Speed Shop 70mm pulley RCF Throttle Body TRD PRO BBS Wheels TRD Front Sway Bar TRD Rear Sway Bar Fox TRD Pro Shocks Limited mirrors (auto darkening/backup camera/power fold/puddle lights) Limited Grill Mod Automatic Climate Controls Mod Automatic Headlamp Mod Sequoia Transfer Case Mod Sequoia Leather Steering Wheel Mod Sequoia Limited Gage Cluster Mod Sequoia LED Headlamp Upgrade Window Tint 15/70% Fake Manual Transmission Mod 10" BAMufflers Stainless Catback Valhalla Catalytic Converter Shields Engine Block Heater Illuminated Ignition Key Ring Mod Deck Rail System w/cleats Solid Offroad Engine Mounts
     
    boostedtrdpro and AZTundra like this.
  13. Aug 21, 2021 at 6:50 PM
    #13
    Barrett50

    Barrett50 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2020
    Member:
    #56214
    Messages:
    1,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barrett
    Wisco
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC silver
    Put the peppermint oil in a spray bottle with water and a little dish soap for an emulsifier. Doesn’t take a whole lot of oil. Then you can spray it wherever you want. Has worked well for me.
     
    TILLY likes this.
  14. Aug 21, 2021 at 6:58 PM
    #14
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2019
    Member:
    #35797
    Messages:
    4,110
    Gender:
    Male
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport D/C


    Can you elaborate on the proportions you use? Oil/water/soap.
     
  15. Aug 21, 2021 at 7:03 PM
    #15
    Barrett50

    Barrett50 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2020
    Member:
    #56214
    Messages:
    1,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barrett
    Wisco
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC silver
    Yeah so… probably a tablespoon of peppermint oil as well as dish soap and then fill a decent size spray bottle with water. If you can smell it,it’s strong enough. If you spray in the engine bay and your eyes burn when you drive, add more water. :rofl::hattip:
     
    TOYOTARIG, Wynnded and TILLY[QUOTED] like this.
  16. Aug 21, 2021 at 7:09 PM
    #16
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2019
    Member:
    #35797
    Messages:
    4,110
    Gender:
    Male
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport D/C


    Thanks. :thumbsup:
     
    Barrett50[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Dec 23, 2021 at 10:08 AM
    #17
    Tzvia

    Tzvia Just an old woman in a pickup truck.

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    268
    Gender:
    Female
    Los Angeles County
    Vehicle:
    2019 5.7L Limited TRD Off Road 4x4
    Just a Bed Rug and Snugtop XTRA Vision
    AAAAAAGGGGGGG...... I make an appointment on monday with the dealer for service today, and as I was doing errands before taking it in, all of the sudden, a heavy noise/vibration when I turned on the heater. Then noise like pieces of something being spit out, like stones being flung by the tires.... the steering wheel vibrating with the deep low buzzhum. WTF? I turn off the climate control and the noise goes away. So I mention it to the service dept as I dropped it off this morning- I am thinking the blower or fan blades maybe self destructed. Turns out that rats had made their home in my engine, ate through the filters and filled the area with bedding/food. That dropped into the intake of the blower, making the vibration. They also damaged some wires so the wiring harness needs to be replaced, the blower motor removed and cleaned out, the filters replaced. To top that off, they found a live rat in the engine compartment that they had to get out. It was bad enough they ate the garden I was trying to grow last spring/summer. So now I sit at home waiting for them to finish. So I asked the service guy "what do I use to keep them away?" and he suggested getting a bar of Irish Spring soap and zip tying it to something in the engine compartment. So it looks like I will be stopping by the market on the way home today after picking up my truck, to buy a few bars... One for my old Prius which always seems to have acorns under the hood... and one for the Tundra. And to top it off, the city plants an Oak tree in front of my house. Nice. Food for rats that is... food for rats. Perfect.
     
  18. Dec 23, 2021 at 10:36 AM
    #18
    TundraTed

    TundraTed New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2020
    Member:
    #54615
    Messages:
    184
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 SR5 TRD Sport Crewmax 4x4
    In order: Orvis dog cover for rear bench seat, OE gun safe, Husky liners front/rear, Tyger tonneau tri fold, Rough Country seat covers
    Curious to know where you end up placing the soap. I may try the peppermint oil recipe above as well. I have a place in the woods and rodents eating wires is a concern and I need to be more vigilant
     
  19. Dec 23, 2021 at 10:44 AM
    #19
    Squeaky

    Squeaky New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2019
    Member:
    #38041
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    ‘19 White TRD Pro
    Yep, the little bastards got me a couple weeks ago for $600. They chewed too close to the plug so we couldn’t solder and had to replace a harness. I’ve since washed out my engine bay and sprayed everything down with peppermint oil, along with a few snap traps in my garage.

    AEEF24A2-98CD-4DEA-AB71-4E6F35B0C532.jpg
    3EF06AF6-F1C5-4656-A864-E7D6A0CA448D.jpg
     
  20. Dec 23, 2021 at 11:13 AM
    #20
    IowaGuy

    IowaGuy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2021
    Member:
    #69167
    Messages:
    933
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Arizona by way of Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 upgrade MGM
    In Process
    We have desert pack rats around here along with regular rats and they say to use bars of Irish Spring soap.
     
  21. Dec 23, 2021 at 11:33 AM
    #21
    foulcan

    foulcan New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2021
    Member:
    #71382
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
  22. Dec 23, 2021 at 4:18 PM
    #22
    Tzvia

    Tzvia Just an old woman in a pickup truck.

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    268
    Gender:
    Female
    Los Angeles County
    Vehicle:
    2019 5.7L Limited TRD Off Road 4x4
    Just a Bed Rug and Snugtop XTRA Vision
    I have been reading around the internet (who isn't) that peppermint oil and pine sol work, so will mix up a bottle of the two with water, and spray down the engine compartment. First to scrub and clean up any piss and rinse it all down, then again and just let it dry on there. If that doesn't work, then I am off to the Green Thumb nursery to see if a 'coyote scent' repellent could possibly work. I also read that you can leave out some chopped up onion. They eat it then die. Don't know how true it is but as this has been the worst year for the rodents I have ever seen here (been at this house since '87) I will try anything. Someone at work mentioned that he lives near a grade school, and when lockdown hit, the rats lost their food supply at the school (gross) and hit the neighborhood because they were starving. Well, I live around the corner from two grade schools...
     
  23. Dec 23, 2021 at 5:16 PM
    #23
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2019
    Member:
    #39132
    Messages:
    1,205
    Gender:
    Male
    Austin
    Vehicle:
    Sequoia
    LED headlamps/fogs; interior footlamps.
    In center console area could be spilled drinks/food that draws them there in the first place, though I know they like to go Everywhere too. But to chew so much on something, there is a Reason, food. Get rid of the food (crumbs even) and they won't be around. Luck.
     
  24. Dec 23, 2021 at 5:19 PM
    #24
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #379
    Messages:
    5,055
    Gender:
    Male
    Rockies
    Vehicle:
    Souped up truck
    Magnuson Magnum TVS 2650 S/C Sniv's Speed Shop 70mm pulley RCF Throttle Body TRD PRO BBS Wheels TRD Front Sway Bar TRD Rear Sway Bar Fox TRD Pro Shocks Limited mirrors (auto darkening/backup camera/power fold/puddle lights) Limited Grill Mod Automatic Climate Controls Mod Automatic Headlamp Mod Sequoia Transfer Case Mod Sequoia Leather Steering Wheel Mod Sequoia Limited Gage Cluster Mod Sequoia LED Headlamp Upgrade Window Tint 15/70% Fake Manual Transmission Mod 10" BAMufflers Stainless Catback Valhalla Catalytic Converter Shields Engine Block Heater Illuminated Ignition Key Ring Mod Deck Rail System w/cleats Solid Offroad Engine Mounts
    True. But another major aspect of the problem is that Toyota uses a soy based wiring insulation that the critters like.
     
    2mchfun likes this.
  25. Dec 24, 2021 at 4:58 PM
    #25
    Tzvia

    Tzvia Just an old woman in a pickup truck.

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    268
    Gender:
    Female
    Los Angeles County
    Vehicle:
    2019 5.7L Limited TRD Off Road 4x4
    Just a Bed Rug and Snugtop XTRA Vision
    Yea, I don't keep food in the truck unless I am going camping and the food is in a cooler. So I ended up getting a spray bottle with water, a little pine sol, 7 drops of rosemary oil, 7 drops of peppermint oil- sprayed around the engine compartment, on the wiring and plastic parts. Will have to check it every few weeks, clean the area and reapply. PITA. I park right next to some thick ivy, and noticed some evidence of small animals digging into it around the edges- small piles of dirt. So I am going to cut up some onion and sprinkle it around there. Sprayed the pine sol concoction already around the edges. My prius has the same problem but the starter battery is dead so I got one of those smart chargers for AGMs and and charging it first. Once I get it running (it's my mother's 05 that she hasn't driven in almost 2 years, and I drove it as much as I could but the battery died even though it's only 8mo old), I am gonna clean it up and spray the same stuff on it and cross my fingers. She can't drive any more, macular degeneration... I need it to take her to the store and Dr visits- she has trouble getting in the tundra. Sucks getting old. I will post back if there is any improvement from using that mixture. With the covid lockdowns and working partly from home now, I don't drive much so the rats are just having a field day. Truck is 3 years old and only has 18,000 miles on it. Normally I would put about 13,000 to 15,000 a year on it.
     
  26. Dec 25, 2021 at 5:55 AM
    #26
    WVI

    WVI New Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2021
    Member:
    #63430
    Messages:
    199
    Vehicle:
    @008 Tundra Limited
    Many folks who RV full time, say that lights under the hood at night keeps the pesky critters at bay.
     
  27. Dec 29, 2021 at 8:28 PM
    #27
    Tzvia

    Tzvia Just an old woman in a pickup truck.

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    268
    Gender:
    Female
    Los Angeles County
    Vehicle:
    2019 5.7L Limited TRD Off Road 4x4
    Just a Bed Rug and Snugtop XTRA Vision
    Good Grief... Prius wouldn't start. Jumped it, took it to Toyota. Rats had eaten the wiring in the engine area that goes to the starter battery. Plus the battery was bad. So I get it home and spray it down with my concoction. I've already had the house gone over and rats removed from under the house and got it all plugged up, and they just moved to my cars. That concoction I sprayed had better work, this is getting really expensive.
    The bigger question is, what was Toyota thinking, using food based products for the wiring...
    And what was I thinking, buying a house in the Santa Monica hills, just off of a conservancy. This is Los Angeles county, the only 'wildlife' here is rats, rancid rabbits, and mangy coyotes.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top