Need a new engine wiring harness due to rodent damage

Well I got in my 16 Tacoma and it would just turn over. After trying lots of stuff on the internet, I had it towed to dealer.
Dealer service rep calls and says it needs a new engine wiring harness due to rodent damage.
Says 10k!!!!
I immediately called my insurance and started a claim . This was 2 days ago, it’s a waiting game now.

 

Bummer - I had that happen to my 2015 - I fixed it my self it was about $200 in parts then some careful soldering a few wires. Get photos form the dealer - an independent shop can fix wires. look at the youtube - south main auto channel. He is in the rust belt and fixes wires all the time.

 

Yeah I’m always skeptical with the overpriced dealerships. I told him I want my damaged wiring harness, we will see. Thanks for the info.

 

Wonder / really curious how bad the damage is if bad at all for dealer tech to recommend an entire harness....
As a 30 year ford tech, my guys always repair rodent damage including within the harness.
Unless it's really bad!!!!

No reason you cant go down there & first hand have the tech show you extent of damage, if its visible without teardown...
You should do this, as not worth the claim if its just a few wires needing repair.

But remember this, theyre not going to take care of the rodent issue....
I also see this all the time also in certain situations...
Customer pays to have repairs done & few weeks later theyre back with the same damage again...

 

Do you have to pay a deductible in this case?

 

Why would you not, of coarse you would need to pay your deductible....

 

Honda makes a tape that they won’t eat, once you get it repaired it may be worth investing in a few rolls to prevent it from happening again.

 

I know about this because it happened to my friends F250. The truck was parked in his carport when it happened and I believe that his homeowners covered it. May be worth asking your insurance company.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I was asking @Mxoran about his specific dealing with his insurance company, not in general.

 

ok, but truly is just common sense....
Youre asking your insurance company to step up to the plate & repair a vehicle that was damaged...
Yes, you will be forced to pay your deductible....
No different than guys with windshield coverage, windshield cracks & you want it replaced, you pay your deductible...
Just saying, or just wait for him to respond with the same response...
Ive also dealt with 1000's of insurance claims in my 32 years in the auto industry....
rodent damage, stollen cats, flooded / hydrolocked engines, etc...
Theres a saying, insurance companies pay for stupid....
In regards to that statement, folks trying to drive there vehicle through 5 feet of water during a storm / flood & engine ingests water through the airbag, thats ok mr jones we will cover your stupidity....

 

Has your truck been parked for a while or did this happen overnight?

 

Again, I wasn't asking you. You aren't the only one who's worked in a shop. I was curious how much his deductible was for this repair.

 

Yeah I have bought some anti rodent stuff, sprays etc, I have never had this problem at my house, maybe a squirrel now and then. I have had rats run under my truck at my hunting lease. But I haven’t been out there in a couple months.

 

My deductible is 749.00 with progressive. I have ordered some mint type sprays that guys recommended , I do have big field rats on my deer lease, but haven’t been out there in a couple months, my truck was sitting a couple days, got in, and it would just turn over, gave me a message on dash.
It’s the 10k price that they initially told me that shocked me, said they have to pull the engine to install the harness,lm basically at the mercy of this dealership, I have zero mechanics in my area that I would trust. Normally I do all my own work, oil changes etc.

 

Yeah I’m wondering the same as far as how bad it was. My truck has ALWAYS fired right up and ran like a top, and I have heard stories of guys getting them repaired fairly cheap. I have had rats at my hunting land, not at the house, only an occasional squirrel. But yes on the deterrent, I have sprays , also looking into a unit that mounts under the hood , supposedly puts off decibels that mice, rats, and squirrels hate, plus a strobe, suppose to be a low draw on battery.

 

I keep rat bait and snap traps in my garage (see the picture below near the shovel). I have since moved the little cups of rat bait and traps under my rolling tool cabinet where my Golden Retriever can’t reach. If rodents get into my garage, I am hoping they are attracted to my tool cabinet and not my truck.

 

Bummer. I've heard of vehicles being totaled out by insurance because of this.

 

I don't think so in this scenario as its somewhat newer of a truck still, & if insurance covers it they will force the dealer to sharpen their pencil inregards to the labor....
Possibly the tech shot from the hip on the labor, but then again, complete wiring harnesses are some consuming at times.
Doubtful that they will actually pull the engine but that part really doesnt matter...