Squirrel damage wiring harness. How screwed am I?

[micl9]

We had the same in our van - dam squirrels made a mess of the hood insulation! Only wire they damaged was the hood sensor. Which in this case was a big deal as the van sits for long periods of time and use remote start to running it every week, but it wouldn't work bc it thought the hood was open!

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[DeathRanger]

Update: Dealership fixed main harness and found some additional damage under the engine cover

Total cost of repair $400

 

[jblc]

Here are photos of my rodent tape implementation.
For anyone else who will use this tape, the tape can unravel. So, each free end of the tape is secured with small cable ties, to prevent them from unraveling.
(Yes, it's tedious and took hours...and still some left to do.)
The engine cover is removed for visibility.

Detail zoom examples:

 

[GitRDone]

A $5.00 roll of foil tape from the hardware store is all you need. They use this stuff to wrap HVAC lines and it also works great for critter control. It's peel and stick so super easy to apply. Rodents/squirrels won't mess with it and you can stick or wrap it anywhere you need to keep them out.

 

[jblc]

A $5.00 roll of foil tape from the hardware store is all you need. They use this stuff to wrap HVAC lines and it also works great for critter control. Rodents/squirrels won't mess with it and you can stick or wrap it anywhere you need to keep them out.

Asking just to understand more: are HVAC lines made with soy-based insulation? I'm asking, since (presumably) the benefit of Honda's rodent tape, is to prevent chewing despite an attractive "food" source behind it. Do HVAC lines have the same to rodents?

 

[GitRDone]

Asking just to understand more: are HVAC lines made with soy-based insulation? I'm asking, since (presumably) the benefit of Honda's rodent tape, is to prevent chewing despite an attractive "food" source behind it. Do HVAC lines have the same to rodents?

Not that I am aware. Foil tape is used to wrap the split foam tubing which insulates copper HVAC pressure lines, it is also used to seal ductwork. In the case of rodents, it works the same way steel wool does to discourage chewing anywhere it is placed.

A couple years ago, rodents chewed up the main harness of my sister's Subaru. I was able to splice everything back, and then wrapped wires with foil tape. No problems since, and despite evidence of further nesting, none of the wrapped wiring has been touched.

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