Rodents Eat My Toyota

[Techno22]

About two months ago the engine and traction warning lights came on but well before I got to my dealers they had gone out. They could not explain why this might have happened though did not examine the car. It happened a fewweeks later, again going out after a couple of miles. Last week they came on and the engine would not pull so I called out Toyota and to their credit they sent a car loader within 45mins and took it away. The following morning I phoned the dealer who informed me that the wiring round the injectors had been eaten by mice or some other rodent. I was flabbergasted having never heard of this and became very stressed when I was told that this was not covered under guarantee (understandable) and my fully comp. contained an exclusion clause for rodent damage(not understandable) I searched on the net and found out that Japanese cars use a soya based plastic for their wiring rather than silocone based. Hondas seem especially susceptible

to rodent damage and reading the posts I was preparing myself for an enormous bill. The final bill was just under £200, much less than others have had to pay but even so if rodents are attracted to the wiring because Toyotas have chosen to use a soya based product that attracts rodents do you think that I have grounds for a claim against Toyotas on the grounds that the product ie their wiring, is not 'fit for purpose'?

[Red Yaris 54]

About two months ago the engine and traction warning lights came on but well before I got to my dealers they had gone out. They could not explain why this might have happened though did not examine the car. It happened a fewweeks later, again going out after a couple of miles. Last week they came on and the engine would not pull so I called out Toyota and to their credit they sent a car loader within 45mins and took it away. The following morning I phoned the dealer who informed me that the wiring round the injectors had been eaten by mice or some other rodent. I was flabbergasted having never heard of this and became very stressed when I was told that this was not covered under guarantee (understandable) and my fully comp. contained an exclusion clause for rodent damage(not understandable) I searched on the net and found out that Japanese cars use a soya based plastic for their wiring rather than silocone based. Hondas seem especially susceptible

to rodent damage and reading the posts I was preparing myself for an enormous bill. The final bill was just under £200, much less than others have had to pay but even so if rodents are attracted to the wiring because Toyotas have chosen to use a soya based product that attracts rodents do you think that I have grounds for a claim against Toyotas on the grounds that the product ie their wiring, is not 'fit for purpose'?

It would seem that your car did not have the "T.A.R.P.O.R.T." (Toyota Anti Rodent Preparation-Optional Rodent Traps) modification installed during the manufacturing process. ;)

I understand this introduces a "pinch of salt" to the wiring loom which (allegedly) puts the rodents off from enjoying their "meal" and the optional traps painlessly electricute the rodents should they insist on chewing the wiring.

Your dealer can remove the deceased rodents and reapply the preparation at routine services, for a nominal fee.

I don't think British insurance companies have caught on to that exclusion clause for motor insurance claims yet, as far as I know it is only applicable to buildings insurance.

Maybe it is time that you introduced some rodent traps around your buildings ;)

[RedNeck 92 Gti-16]

About two months ago the engine and traction warning lights came on but well before I got to my dealers they had gone out. They could not explain why this might have happened though did not examine the car. It happened a fewweeks later, again going out after a couple of miles. Last week they came on and the engine would not pull so I called out Toyota and to their credit they sent a car loader within 45mins and took it away. The following morning I phoned the dealer who informed me that the wiring round the injectors had been eaten by mice or some other rodent. I was flabbergasted having never heard of this and became very stressed when I was told that this was not covered under guarantee (understandable) and my fully comp. contained an exclusion clause for rodent damage(not understandable) I searched on the net and found out that Japanese cars use a soya based plastic for their wiring rather than silocone based. Hondas seem especially susceptible

to rodent damage and reading the posts I was preparing myself for an enormous bill. The final bill was just under £200, much less than others have had to pay but even so if rodents are attracted to the wiring because Toyotas have chosen to use a soya based product that attracts rodents do you think that I have grounds for a claim against Toyotas on the grounds that the product ie their wiring, is not 'fit for purpose'?

It would seem that your car did not have the "T.A.R.P.O.R.T." (Toyota Anti Rodent Preparation-Optional Rodent Traps) modification installed during the manufacturing process. ;)

I understand this introduces a "pinch of salt" to the wiring loom which (allegedly) puts the rodents off from enjoying their "meal" and the optional traps painlessly electricute the rodents should they insist on chewing the wiring.

Your dealer can remove the deceased rodents and reapply the preparation at routine services, for a nominal fee.

I don't think British insurance companies have caught on to that exclusion clause for motor insurance claims yet, as far as I know it is only applicable to buildings insurance.

Maybe it is time that you introduced some rodent traps around your buildings ;)

See, bet you didnt think it would lead to this, when you had the CAT removed.

[Red Yaris 54]

About two months ago the engine and traction warning lights came on but well before I got to my dealers they had gone out. They could not explain why this might have happened though did not examine the car. It happened a fewweeks later, again going out after a couple of miles. Last week they came on and the engine would not pull so I called out Toyota and to their credit they sent a car loader within 45mins and took it away. The following morning I phoned the dealer who informed me that the wiring round the injectors had been eaten by mice or some other rodent. I was flabbergasted having never heard of this and became very stressed when I was told that this was not covered under guarantee (understandable) and my fully comp. contained an exclusion clause for rodent damage(not understandable) I searched on the net and found out that Japanese cars use a soya based plastic for their wiring rather than silocone based. Hondas seem especially susceptible

to rodent damage and reading the posts I was preparing myself for an enormous bill. The final bill was just under £200, much less than others have had to pay but even so if rodents are attracted to the wiring because Toyotas have chosen to use a soya based product that attracts rodents do you think that I have grounds for a claim against Toyotas on the grounds that the product ie their wiring, is not 'fit for purpose'?

It would seem that your car did not have the "T.A.R.P.O.R.T." (Toyota Anti Rodent Preparation-Optional Rodent Traps) modification installed during the manufacturing process. ;)

I understand this introduces a "pinch of salt" to the wiring loom which (allegedly) puts the rodents off from enjoying their "meal" and the optional traps painlessly electricute the rodents should they insist on chewing the wiring.

Your dealer can remove the deceased rodents and reapply the preparation at routine services, for a nominal fee.

I don't think British insurance companies have caught on to that exclusion clause for motor insurance claims yet, as far as I know it is only applicable to buildings insurance.

Maybe it is time that you introduced some rodent traps around your buildings ;)

See, bet you didnt think it would lead to this, when you had the CAT removed.

PMSL................................Brilliant

[bjw]

I believe Toyota Japan have issued a workshop bulletin to UK dealers that on PDI of the new vehicle the wiring round the injectors must be covered in a special type of compound that will overcome this problem but only to cars registered after April 1st 2008 :D

[Techno22]

Reads as though you think I am joking......wish I was as it's been a real !Removed! clearing out the garage in order to put the car away at night. I've no idea if the soya based plastics was a hoax but you can read the rest of the posts here

http://www.wombatnation.com/2005/01/mice-ate-my-car

I hope it does not happen to you.

[moonstone mart]

I believe Toyota Japan have issued a workshop bulletin to UK dealers that on PDI of the new vehicle the wiring round the injectors must be covered in a special type of compound that will overcome this problem but only to cars registered after April 1st 2008 :D

Not seen/heard anything about this myself.

Will try and remember to check the bulletins tomorrow for it.

I've had 2 cars that mice have eaten the cable shielding in places. One was a S2 RS Turbo and the other a Astra GTE.

Both times it was around the Battery causing alternator problems/poor charging. :-(

Not seen it on any Toyota's YET.

Thanks

Mart.

[bjw]

I believe Toyota Japan have issued a workshop bulletin to UK dealers that on PDI of the new vehicle the wiring round the injectors must be covered in a special type of compound that will overcome this problem but only to cars registered after April 1st 2008 :D

Not seen/heard anything about this myself.

Will try and remember to check the bulletins tomorrow for it.

I've had 2 cars that mice have eaten the cable shielding in places. One was a S2 RS Turbo and the other a Astra GTE.

Both times it was around the Battery causing alternator problems/poor charging. :-(

Not seen it on any Toyota's YET.

Thanks

Mart.

I would not bother looking Mart I think it may be my imagination run wild

But on a more serious note a friend had some newspapers shredded in the boot of his car . He baited the boot and low and behold he found a mouse that had passed away !! I think because the car was parked outside near some fields a mouse had got into the car somehow through a rubber bung that was missing in the underside of the car

The bung was replaced !!! end of the problem

[Parts-King]

I see this on a regular basis, a few years ago, a customer came in because his wipers were not working, on inspection, the whole of the bulk head area was completly filled up with nuts! The customer thought the massive bag of nuts for feeding birds, sotred in his garage was going down quickly, some rodent was helping himself and stashing them under the wiper linkage, the nuts were about 100mm deep (4 inches in old money) we photographed it to show the customer, brilliant, you couldnt make it up

PS you wouldnt have a valid claim against Toyota, rats chewing your wiring is NOT a manufacturing defect, its an insurance jobby :D:

Kingo

[bjw]

I see this on a regular basis, a few years ago, a customer came in because his wipers were not working, on inspection, the whole of the bulk head area was completly filled up with nuts! The customer thought the massive bag of nuts for feeding birds, sotred in his garage was going down quickly, some rodent was helping himself and stashing them under the wiper linkage, the nuts were about 100mm deep (4 inches in old money) we photographed it to show the customer, brilliant, you couldnt make it up

PS you wouldnt have a valid claim against Toyota, rats chewing your wiring is NOT a manufacturing defect, its an insurance jobby :D:

Kingo

Yes you may be able to claim on your insurance but depends on what exclusions you have on your policy and also what excess ?or if ncd is protected to make a claim worth it

[bjw]

I see this on a regular basis, a few years ago, a customer came in because his wipers were not working, on inspection, the whole of the bulk head area was completly filled up with nuts! The customer thought the massive bag of nuts for feeding birds, sotred in his garage was going down quickly, some rodent was helping himself and stashing them under the wiper linkage, the nuts were about 100mm deep (4 inches in old money) we photographed it to show the customer, brilliant, you couldnt make it up

PS you wouldnt have a valid claim against Toyota, rats chewing your wiring is NOT a manufacturing defect, its an insurance jobby :D:

Kingo

This was in a local paper very similar to your post above

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story....3A35%3A17%3A607

[gmrogers812]

I had 4 incidents of rodents eating my Avalon harness and wires, most recently today. I've tried putting boxes of moth balls under my hood, bounce dryer sheets and Fox urine. Think I will sell my Toyota and never buy a Toyota again! Frustrated!

[gmrogers812]

I only wished my auto insurance covered rodents eating my wires, unfortunately its not the case.

[gmrogers812]

I believe Toyota Japan have issued a workshop bulletin to UK dealers that on PDI of the new vehicle the wiring round the injectors must be covered in a special type of compound that will overcome this problem but only to cars registered after April 1st 2008

Not seen/heard anything about this myself.

Will try and remember to check the bulletins tomorrow for it.

I've had 2 cars that mice have eaten the cable shielding in places. One was a S2 RS Turbo and the other a Astra GTE.

Both times it was around the Battery causing alternator problems/poor charging. :-(

Not seen it on any Toyota's YET.

Thanks

Mart.

Where can I find the Bulletins, is that a special website?

[gmrogers812]

About two months ago the engine and traction warning lights came on but well before I got to my dealers they had gone out. They could not explain why this might have happened though did not examine the car. It happened a fewweeks later, again going out after a couple of miles. Last week they came on and the engine would not pull so I called out Toyota and to their credit they sent a car loader within 45mins and took it away. The following morning I phoned the dealer who informed me that the wiring round the injectors had been eaten by mice or some other rodent. I was flabbergasted having never heard of this and became very stressed when I was told that this was not covered under guarantee (understandable) and my fully comp. contained an exclusion clause for rodent damage(not understandable) I searched on the net and found out that Japanese cars use a soya based plastic for their wiring rather than silocone based. Hondas seem especially susceptible

to rodent damage and reading the posts I was preparing myself for an enormous bill. The final bill was just under £200, much less than others have had to pay but even so if rodents are attracted to the wiring because Toyotas have chosen to use a soya based product that attracts rodents do you think that I have grounds for a claim against Toyotas on the grounds that the product ie their wiring, is not 'fit for purpose'?

I have had total of 4 incidents of Rodents attacking and eating my harness and wires under my Avalon. Most recently as today. I owned a Toyota Tundra for 4 years and never had one incident! $1,400 later and very frustrated! I've tried moth balls, bounce dryer sheets, and Fox urine. At my last wits end! Thinking i should sell my avalon and never buy a Toyota again!