Gidyupp

Just set out to install a new Raptor shift light. After installing the light in the dash, I went to the engine compartment to start running the wire. I removed the sound tube next to the master cylinder for better access to the firewall.
I found the wiring harness hidden below was mangled pretty bad (see pics).
I still don't know WTF happened. Best I can come up with is a rodent, but one of the wires is chewed clear through, an a 1" piece is gone. I've had mice chew stuff on equipment before, but they usually don't like to gnaw on metal. There was no debris present that would indicate a rodent, and I don't
't really think that the damage looks like chew marks, but I can't come up with another plausible explanation.

Just drove the car, everything was working, so not sure what the white wire goes to. This is the harness that heads for the wipers, but there is no white wire involved with them per the wiring diagram. Guess it doesn't matter. The blk/yel wire only is holding on by a strand.

Going to dig out the soldering iron and some adhesive lined shrink....

SpartaPerformance

That is rodent damage, I've seen that all too often. Just had a 02 Taurus come in last month, my tech had to run overlay's almost across the entire main harness, cost the customer a fortune. He went home and cleaned out his garage of junk and now parks inside

wayne613

Man, that sucks. First time I've seen that. Taste for copper and polymer.

After the redo I'd likely melt down some poison to integrate with the mesh. Little shiets might get some again, but it'd be a last meal.

pascal

Rodents without a doubt.
They can trash an entire harness throughout the car. Not cool.


And this just hit me......:
I'm willing to bet that it's exactly what happened to this woman's car in this unpopular thread...
https://mustangforums.com/forum/2005...riving-it.html

Hello Geico!!

wayne613

It's possible I suppose, I'd consider it far more likely that it would just crap out though, rather than a short be caused that would actually be enough to cause a fire. It'd had to have been chewed through on the main lines somewhere that aren't fused I'd think.

Derf00

Yep rodents. In the first picture look at the puncture marks on the wire wrap on the right. Next to where it's all the way ripped open, those little puncture marks are teeth marks where the little bugger didn't pull back and just 'tasted' it.

157dB

They like the current potential thats available within the wires.
It makes their fillings tingle.

Gidyupp

Guess I'll be applying rodent bait liberally.
I've had them build nests in things before, but never destroy anything.
Hope they don't have a taste for brake hose.

Gidyupp

For those that are interested, some pics of the repair....

Splice in a new piece of wire.....


Solder....


Adhesive lined shrink tube...


Repeat at the other end of the splice...



Continued next post

Gidyupp

For the wires that had no copper damage: I covered the exposed copper in "liquid electrical tape" to seal out moisture, the taped with high grade electrical tape. Make sure to get the good stuff, if you're paying a buck a roll, it's not the good stuff. Look for scotch "33" or similar.


And tape...


Normally, I would apply a layer of self fusing silicone splicing tape instead of the liquid stuff, but I was out and there was none available at the store on a Sunday. The liquid works good as long as you use a couple coats and let it dry for a half hour before taping over.



I forgot to take pics during the next part, but I covered the lot with new split loom tubing and applied multiple layers of the 33 tape...