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Wire harness chewed by an animal

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by fivem1msn, Apr 25, 2014.

  1. fivem1msn

    fivem1msn New Member

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    Has this happened to anyone else and what did you do to straighten out the problem so it would not happen again. $2,500 damage so far and I saw the damage under my hood. The dealer said that it happens often to the wires. Please send me suggestions on how to prevent this ...I pray that this is not a deal breaker on keeping this car...I just can't gamble on this happening again...
     
  2. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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  3. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    I posted it another forum: MouseProofing the Prius | Page 4 | PriusChat

    Believe it or not, It's the official Honda's way to protect the car wires. Toyota should offer a similar solution or maybe something higher tech like ultrasound alarm emitters.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! you should probably sell the car, if you search around here, you will see that it is a recurring problem and it's a lot of tricky work to try and prevent it. unfortunately, nothing is absolutely mouse proof. all the best!(y)
     
  5. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    A lot of skeptics, here, have "pooh-poohed" my experience of having kept rodents out of my car with "rustproofing" like this stuff.



    Just two cans will cover the area in and under the engine compartment and the trunk-hatch area near the battery vents.

    It appears that rodents are repelled by the petroleum smell and the waxy petroleum residue left on the wires.

    The stuff has the added benefit of coating the metal connectors to inhibit corrosion. It also makes nut and bolt removal easier. In forty years of using this stuff, I've NEVER had a bolt that was frozen in place by rust and corrosion.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm not skeptical, but i need more evidence. didn't you say you don't have rodent problems anyway?
     
  7. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Yes, but my neighbors who live on each side of me do.


    That's enough for me.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't argue with that.(y)
     
  9. JonWaters

    JonWaters Junior Member

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    I've got mice eating my new Prius 4 already (only 800 miles). I've read the other threads about keeping mice out but this stuff could be a reasonable option. Do you spray it on the wires or just on the metal body parts? Any other tips about using it?BTW if you suffer damage due to rodents to your car it might be covered by your Comprehensive auto insurance. It is a natural disaster!
     
  10. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Since the stuff is a petroleum wax, it is a non conduction dielectric. I spry it all over the wires and connectors. It actually coats the metal connecotrs and prevents corrosion from moisture. Nice thing is that it is cheap and last for years.