Help! Chipmunk damage - Wiring ID needed
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Help! Chipmunk damage - Wiring ID needed
Hello All,
I had a chipmunk get under the hood of my 2003 F250 6.0L truck and chew up a wire bundle (which terminates at a connector) coming off the wiring harness on the RT Hand Passenger side. I need to drive the truck today so don't have time to repair the damage beforehand. I don't want to start the truck and risk the wires shorting out (the copper is all frayed and touching currently), so I'm hoping I can just cut it for now and fix it over the weekend. I have no idea what the wire/connector function is, and I don't want to render the truck useless by cutting some critical component.
Can anybody tell me what this bundle/connector is for, and whether it is o.k. for me to cut it, drive the truck and then fix the wiring later? Here is a picture of the wiring. Thank you in advance for your help!
I had a chipmunk get under the hood of my 2003 F250 6.0L truck and chew up a wire bundle (which terminates at a connector) coming off the wiring harness on the RT Hand Passenger side. I need to drive the truck today so don't have time to repair the damage beforehand. I don't want to start the truck and risk the wires shorting out (the copper is all frayed and touching currently), so I'm hoping I can just cut it for now and fix it over the weekend. I have no idea what the wire/connector function is, and I don't want to render the truck useless by cutting some critical component.
Can anybody tell me what this bundle/connector is for, and whether it is o.k. for me to cut it, drive the truck and then fix the wiring later? Here is a picture of the wiring. Thank you in advance for your help!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,505
Likes: 256
From: Woodbridge, Ontario, CA
Count your lucky stars. That connector is for your alternator circuitry. That green with red striped wire is tied to the circuit that shuts off your battery warning light as soon as the engine is running and detects the charging system functioning. The particular connector in that picture is used on vehicles equipped with dual alternators, which yours obviously is not equipped with.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 5
From: TX
We used to have tons of chipmunks but since our neighbors cats keep having litters they are no more.2006 F350 4X4
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,830
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
Separate them If not chewed all the way through and Black Electrical tape them for now , also put in a few Moth ***** and a Block of Tom Cat, Dam Rodents
Does the Truck sit a lot ? not a Daily Driver?
Does the Truck sit a lot ? not a Daily Driver?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
I had the same problem with squirrels X 10. Ford had to replace the whole engine harness. Me and the tree rats went to war! I won by buying a pellet gun. The whole neighborhood now has thanked me for the decreased tree rat population. Many have had them building nests in their engine compartments!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 5
From: TX
I had the same problem with squirrels X 10. Ford had to replace the whole engine harness. Me and the tree rats went to war! I won by buying a pellet gun. The whole neighborhood now has thanked me for the decreased tree rat population. Many have had them building nests in their engine compartments!
2006 F350 4X4
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 84
I was told once that they use various nut oils to keep wiring casings flexible and that is why animals live to chew them up.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Good to know what the wiring is.... thanks for that feedback I'll try splicing them up now that I know! Good thing I don't have that second alternator l but I have had some issues with the batteries not charging reliably. Any chance the grounds could be connected on this circuit? Or are the alternators completely independent?
The truck does sit for periods along with my other rigs, 1977 F250, skidsteer and excavator. ... I put mothballs (the stinky kind) in each engine compartment and that appears to be keeping the critters from playing house. I've had to leave a sticky note at each ignition station to remind me to remove them when I start up the engine, as they stink to high heaven even inside the cab.... pretty toxic fumes.
Thanks for your response guys, much appreciated.
The truck does sit for periods along with my other rigs, 1977 F250, skidsteer and excavator. ... I put mothballs (the stinky kind) in each engine compartment and that appears to be keeping the critters from playing house. I've had to leave a sticky note at each ignition station to remind me to remove them when I start up the engine, as they stink to high heaven even inside the cab.... pretty toxic fumes.
Thanks for your response guys, much appreciated.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Peanut oil is one of the Chinese favorites to add to wiring, making it a delectable treat for the pesky rodents.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
I had a chipmunk make a nest in my air cleaner when my truck was fairly new. I couldn't believe it when I saw the restriction indicator showing bad air filter. Removed the filter and it was full of nesting material. Little bastids
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Amazing how much damage a little critter can do... we had one get into ventilation system once, didn't know about it until I turned the blower on which emptied all the bedding into the cab. What a mess, chewed bits of everything, moss, dirt, twigs, etc. The mothballs seem to work though, I haven't seen any evidence of the rodents setting up camp since I've been using them.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 5
From: TX
