Rodents chewing the wiring in your newer vehicles? Here's why...

[PNWGuy]

When I was an auto claims adjuster a few years ago, I started noticing a bunch of claims for damage to engine wiring by rodents. Oddly enough, most of the claims were newer Toyotas.

Dealers wouldn't warranty the damage, but it was covered under the owner's Comprehensive coverage, less the deductible. Repairs were from around $500 to $2000.

Stumbled across this news item.

Toyota wins dismissal of suit over rodent-damaged soy-based wiring

Apparently, in an effort to be more "environmentally friendly", Toyota and some other manufacturers switched to a soy-based wire coating, which of course, attracted rodents.

Class-action suit was filed but thrown out.

 

[Admin]

 

[graybear]

Most wiring has been using this for a while. Newer wiring has capasin integrated in the wiring to prevent this. Basically it is chili powder. If you face this you can buy sprays to coat your wire with hot pepper type of coating. In lew of this mix up a paste with chili powder and water water and smear it all over your wires. Tractors have been seeing lots of this problems since they sit for extended periods of time.

 

[Montecresto]

Most wiring has been using this for a while. Newer wiring has capasin integrated in the wiring to prevent this. Basically it is chili powder. If you face this you can buy sprays to coat your wire with hot pepper type of coating. In lew of this mix up a paste with chili powder and water water and smear it all over your wires. Tractors have been seeing lots of this problems since they sit for extended periods of time.

Yep, I’ve had repeated problems with both my tractors and RV, and one of my Pioneers..

 

[Russ989]

When I was an auto claims adjuster a few years ago, I started noticing a bunch of claims for damage to engine wiring by rodents. Oddly enough, most of the claims were newer Toyotas.

Dealers wouldn't warranty the damage, but it was covered under the owner's Comprehensive coverage, less the deductible. Repairs were from around $500 to $2000.

Stumbled across this news item.

Toyota wins dismissal of suit over rodent-damaged soy-based wiring

Apparently, in an effort to be more "environmentally friendly", Toyota and some other manufacturers switched to a soy-based wire coating, which of course, attracted rodents.

Class-action suit was filed but thrown out.

That’s interesting. Learned something new today.