Mouse Wiring Damage

Mr Majestic · Feb 22, 2015

Took my 1993 Ford 1920 dash apart to troubleshoot some display issues. Found major mouse damage to the wiring. Anyone been through this before and came up with a good fix? Can I buy the wiring from the dealer or are there companies out there that can rewire the dash panel?

Thanks in advance,
MM in Michigan

Opti-Mist · Feb 22, 2015

Your NH dealer should be able to help you with this.

kirkawilson · Feb 22, 2015

That was one hungry rodent! Two yeas ago, I also had a mouse build a nest on top of my NH 1920 gas tank and chewed through most of my dash wiring but I discovered it before he had chewed all of the wires. My tractor repair guy took the dashboard and the wiring harness pigtail to the bench and matched the wire insulation colors to repair the harness with quick connectors. Been working fine since. I attached some dryer sheets inside the tractor dash area, near the nesting spot to hopefully keep the rodents away. I don't remember the replacement price of the dashboard gauges and wiring but it must have been significantly higher than the repair.

Mr Majestic · Mar 14, 2015

Update: my New Holland dealer wanted $480 to replace the wiring harness and circuit board. I found a local small electronic repair shop that rewired everything (replaced a failed diode too) for $150 cash. I should be all set with the electronics...now on to the engine rebuild!

Ed of all trades · Mar 15, 2015

I tried to buy a car one time and had it sold to someone else after I had an agreement with the seller, the buyer told me that most of the wires on the hole car had mouse damage and he wished he had never gotten it. look around and make sure that is all the damage you have. Hope all the rest is good.

oosik · Mar 15, 2015

Many years ago - brand new Chrysler Concord. The little buggers cost me $875 for an entire new, dealer installed wiring harness. I found an acceptable temporary fix - a heavy row of moth balls, on the ground, from the front to the back of the car.

Permanent fix - barn cats, several of them. Right now my last cat went to either an owl or coyote for dinner. I'm living on borrowed time until I can replace with a couple new cats.

Darn cats get too brave and go out beyond the influence of the yard light, at night. They learn a permeant & lasting lesson - beyond the yard light is the realm of the owl & coyote.

oosik · Jul 11, 2018

Update - I checked with my vehicle insurance company today and they DO cover rodent damage to vehicles. Won't stop the damage but will pay for any repairs. AND BTW - still looking for a few barn cats.