Rodent Problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
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From: Traverse City Michigan
Rodent Problem
Where are the most likely places that rodents would reek havoc in the vette? Could they cause electrical problems? And if so, where would I look?
Thanks.
Mike
Thanks.
Mike
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Any reason for the question? I had a mouse in my car once and noticed it from the droppings. Don't think it had time to do any damage though
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 607
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From: Sandy Eggo, California
My car was covered in my garage for several months, and I had a mouse make a nest on top of the engine and under the fuel rail cover. It had shredded some of the hoodliner to make the nest, and it chewed the insulation off of a couple spark plug wires. Didn't see any other damage, other than the plug wires. When I fired up the car, I think it must have been killed by the engine heat, because I smelled the rancid odor and had to search to find it's little dead carcass.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Grapevine Tx
I know some off-roaders who have had desert mice or whatever eat their wiring insulation causing problems. I believe that they also eat home wiring insulation. For whatever it's worth, yes, this could be a problem.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Manhatten Beach, California
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Originally Posted by Railfan
Where are the most likely places that rodents would reek havoc in the vette? Could they cause electrical problems? And if so, where would I look?
Thanks.
Mike
Thanks.
Mike
Last edited by 2005ArcticWhite; Jun 20, 2005 at 10:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 8
From: orange county n.y.
Originally Posted by Railfan
Rodents couldn't get into the cockpit could they? Wouldn't they only be able to get into the engine bay?
Oh yes they can! I had a mouse in my C4. Covered and in the garage. Made himself at home and pissed all over. Now what a time I'm having getting rid of the smell. I would rather he ate some wires. It would be easier to replace wiring than try to find where the smell is coming from.
Good luck. I'm sorry to hear your delimma.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
The wires have a vegetable extract in the insulation and yes they will chew the wires. The C5 is tough to get into, but the fan cage is very easy for them to access. If you stored your car that long and have electrical problems, you may also want to check your grounds as they may have corroded. Bill Curlee has a good article on how to proceed with cleaning the grounds.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
[QUOTE=Railfan][QUOTE=DeeGee]Any reason for the question?
Used to live in the country and around Fall, mice would get in under the garage door. Trust me, they will get into anywhere and eat anything. The car was normally safe as it was obviously airtight. That said, I'd certainly give the wiring a good old check out. Still think you'd see some signs of droppings if it had got in though. A mousetrap may be worth a shot.
Have an electrical problem and am considering all possibilities.
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The engine bay is a prime location for rodents. They can get into the cockpit and I've heard of them even making a nest in an exhaust pipe. They can do a lot of damage to the electrical wiring and hoses.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,791
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From: Eureka MO
In my c4, garaged and covered, kept finding little peices of foam insulation in the floor boards. One mouse trap with cheese overnight cured the issue. My mother in law swears by putting dryer sheets in the engine compartment to keep them away 
. It always works for my waverunner in a pole barn. and it makes it smell springtime fresh!! 
. It always works for my waverunner in a pole barn. and it makes it smell springtime fresh!!
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
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Rodent Problem
Don't forget the fan motor - I had a nest in the fan motor which cost me $350 to replace on an 04. I swear it was there before I bought the car but couldn't prove it. Anyone know if the factory stores these cars in a field or something? I've never been to the factory but it was a year end build and I know it wasn't around Kerbeck's that long.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Wakefield R.I.
Originally Posted by Kris072
I know of several people who have had that exact problem. Take a Bounce dyer sheet and lay it in your engine compartment. The little critters apparently dont like the smell.
I wish you had told that to the mice that got into my 97. Not only did they **** all over some of them but they also used the material to nest down he my heater fan. Maybe I used the wrong brand.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: OSHKOSH WI
Originally Posted by djhoffman
Don't forget the fan motor - I had a nest in the fan motor which cost me $350 to replace on an 04. I swear it was there before I bought the car but couldn't prove it. Anyone know if the factory stores these cars in a field or something? I've never been to the factory but it was a year end build and I know it wasn't around Kerbeck's that long.
I just had that problem. Turned my A/c on and fan vibrated enough to knock the dust off the dash, and it was fine a week before 
I took it apart before ordreing a new one just to see, and the cage was half full of insulation. cleaned it out put it back in and it works great now 
Danm mice
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
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From: Traverse City Michigan
Traps are set, mouse horn is handy, night scope is lit, and the beer is within reach. I'm ready. 
And the vette is fine now, all fixed up. So bring it on you mouses.
And the vette is fine now, all fixed up. So bring it on you mouses.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Keep Me Working...Buy A Ford!
Originally Posted by Railfan
Where are the most likely places that rodents would reek havoc in the vette? Could they cause electrical problems? And if so, where would I look?
Thanks.
Mike
Thanks.
Mike