What initially looked like the Mysterious VTRAC/ABS/brake issue....

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

beachcruiser

beachcruiser

Joined
Nov 25, 2004
Threads
24
Messages
169
Location
Austin TX area, by way of the Outer Banks of NC
Website
www.nooktinyhomes.com
..... After having the dash light up suddenly like an amber tinted Christmas tree, I went out to diagnose issue. I was hoping for a speed sensor... I took pic of what I found.

If upload worked, you can see a squirrel or other rodent ate most of all looms that pass adjacent to the master cylinder and firewall. I am stunned it was running at all.

I am not entirely sure where to start, other than ordering pretty much every loom that runs through this area.
Anyone have a parts manual or breakdown for this area? I can't find info I need in FSM.

Good grief, and thanks in advance.
image-1461436371.webp
 
parnoren said:
Would insurance cover something like this?
Click to expand...

Good question. Im going to look into it, but in case it doesn't, I figured I could just dive in and swap in new loom parts as needed/required.

I've got I do some other work (rear diff seal, front bearing repack and cv boots) so I figured I'd call CDan and place a hefty order.
 
I would try to get a hold of the Electrical Wiring Diagram (EWD) for your year. It'll be tedious work to splice in new sections of wire... but it's do-able. Make sure you the replacement wire are of the same gauge as the originals. I personally like the wires from Painless, and self-sealing heat shrink wrap from Waytek.
 
Lord Almighty man. Find that creature and make him pay.
 
Comprehensive would cover it. Fortunately the harnesses are a replaceable item that come out in big sections. Unfortunately they wind themselves all over the place.

Looks like the meth/copper theft issues have hit the rodent world too.
 
That's what I suspected. All of the harnesses look like they come out in fairy intact (albeit wound all over engine bay) lengths, basically from where they plug into each component.

Insurance is coming to quote it, ad depending on where they come in, I may still opt to do it myself.

Anyone have an elec diagram for the 100 series?

Thanks again for all the input and help.
More to follow
 
There's two main harnesses in the engine bay, one runs forward to get the headlights and such, the other runs along the back firewall to get the brakes, wipers, etc. Hopefully your rodent was courteous enough to only chew into one of them and not both. They retail for about $1700 ea.
 
:censor: that. I hope I never have that issue with rodents.

Edit: couple questions. If you could rewind 1 month would you put some sort of rodent deterrent in there? How long does your truck sit (DD, weekend wheeler)? How often do you open your hood?
 
$1700 each?!
Commence ballkicks.

It's been my daily driver and wheeler until work supplied me a truck last month. That said, it's driven every few days, and I had it out the day before when all the lights came on, and in addition to dash lights, I noticed dimming of lights in sync w turn signal (likely due to reduced ground).

I had popped the hood to pull codes, and that's what I found. No bueno. No nest under hood/undercarriage, and it looks like it must have just happened, as dash lights and dimming literally started day before, and weren't present earlier in week.

As for hindsight, I've done some research and apparently once a rodent has found a place to gnaw away at, the droppings and/or urine will draw them back. I have heard mothballs, as well as a product called "Rataway" may be needed, in addition to the full on war I am about to wage on the two squirrels that frequent my back deck and drive.

The ironic part is this past Friday on my way out to work truck, I could have sworn that one of the squirrels ran from under my truck and down my driveway.

It's days are numbered.
 
I think TMs off the cuff pricing of harnesses may have sorted out whether i am paying out of pocket or not.
With a $500 comprehensive deductible, I think I'll let the claim handle it.
Later I will climb under and look do additional damage, as it also chewed hoses (like my diff breather relocation).
 
Haha. Truly.
Another reason I wanted to see where claim estimate came in vs fixing myself! Gotta keep the hundy fund flush for upcoming mods!
 
Well, you could always get the full replacement cost through the dealership, file the claim, and do it yourself, pocketing the difference. However, with a wiring issue I'd want the work warrantied just in case one got missed.
 
I know. My thoughts exactly.
Insurance will warranty the fix for life of vehicle (they probably don't realize I am never going to sell or junk her!) and last thing I need is a catastrophic elec issue while I am out in the middle of nowhere.
The extra grand pocketed is little consolation when she is turned into yard art.

Either way I'll keep everyone posted w info as I get it.
I appreciate the insight and advice!
 
Beach- sounds like you have a plan. I cant tell from my phone where you are. But, I have a electrical GSM for a 00 should you need it. I'm in socal.
 
I appreciate it. I'm outside Austin TX by way of recent transplant from Outer Banks of NC.
Traded in the beach and coastal salt air and rust for, as TM accurately described as, the meth-addicted copper-stealing squirrels of the lone star state.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom