Soy coated wiring

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2PSDVsZ38U&t=213s

 

I have a 2017 Tacoma, live in Illinois and park in garage. Just recently, at the beginning of the month, a mouse chewed some wires in my engine. I know for sure they chewed the knock sensor wiring and possibly more...I haven't begun the repair process yet, but it's not going to be fun.
I've been working on cleaning up around and inside my garage to make it less appealing for the mice.
For now, I'm using several bars of Irish spring soap around the engine bay and mouse traps until I finish organizing the garage, then I'll replace the harness...
Never thought it would happen to me. I would just say keep your parking area clean and clear and don't let the truck sit too long. Once I fix my truck, I might drop peppermint essential oil around the engine bay once in a while.

 

Peppermint oil soaked cotton balls works, but doesn't last very long. Found it needs reapplying every 3 weeks. My hot pepper spray lasts longer.

 

Had the same prob with my atv. Moth balls seemed to do the trick - no more problem.

 

Saint Nicholas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas

 

I just had mice chew my knock sensor wire harness. I repaired it and took a video, let me know what you think. Thanks! https://youtu.be/SVtMoHSo_cQ

 

Used cat litter is best for obvious reasons.

 

Here is another thread with lots of information.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/effing-mice.461226/

 

https://watermanatwork.com/blog/keep-mice-out-of-your-vehicle-deluxe-edition/

 

Mouse Blocker Pro (tm) is available in 120V and 12V flavors.

It solved my mouse problem in the hangar. The motion-triggered security camera no longer logs their hangar parties.

https://mouseblocker.com/

It also keeps the neighbors’ free-ranging dogs far, far away.

 

I asked my dealer and they said that Toyota has been using soy insulated wiring since 2006. They said that by 2016, all mfgs had switched over. They also said it was due to a worldwide attempt to reduce petroleum usage. So they're lying to me?

 

I was told that at the Ford dealership as well about the soy-based wiring by our service manager. In 2018 before I quit it was still being used in the Fords. It is a serious problem from what I saw there. I'm not sure if insurance covered the repairs but I often saw complete harness's being replaced. When I asked why they said that often they would find other areas of the harness damaged as well. It also made the dealership a lot of money. Every week I saw at least one car come in with damage. We had a Fusion show up with a nest of those little buggers in the air cleaner.

 

Use the hillbilly mouse/rodent trap but instead of water, use old antifreeze IF it's in a area where animals like dogs or other ''good'' critters are. Antifreeze doesn't allow them to decay as fast and can be disposed of as needed like you normally would.

 

Yazaki manufactures wiring harnesses for MANY auto companies. I know the prior VP that ran their NA and Europe business. I will inquire about this soy vs. not-soy debate … his reply:

“Wire insulation is mostly variants of PVC, with modifiers for high temp applications, and some additives to make it less attractive to rodents.

There are some soy based plastics used in vehicle applications but not as far as I know in wire insulation.”

 

DJinTN
I saw the dead mice. I saw the damage from chewed up wiring to foam engine covers being swiss cheesed. It is actually pretty gross having to try to clean up the damage these mice are doing.
The service manager, service advisors and mechanics have all told me Ford was using soy-based wiring. Fake News? Where have I heard that before?

 

I am equal parts disappointed, and relieved

 

Well, assuming this poster is not lying about his credentials, can we finally put this fucking soy wire thing to bed!

Let me help by proposing a new and exciting topic; oil change frequency at 5,000 or 10,000 miles? Discuss!

 

i had this problem with motorcycles and boats and equipment, etc.. rats love chewing wiring up, even if it has no soy. LoL

rats usually only make homes in things that don't move every day.

if you're truck moves every day, they are not likely to make it their home.

 

https://thelemonfirm.com/2021/10/21/toyota-soy-wiring-class-action-lawsuit-is-back-from-the-dead/

 

https://mousetrapmonday.com/

This guy tests all kinds of stuff