Squirrel Problem

[ew1usnr]

I just did the same. I will provide a follow-up commentary after I receive it and try it out.

More squirrel problems. On 11/25/2024, the the engine ran rough as if it was not running on eight cylinders, and the check engine light started flashing. The next day, I left the car at a Ford dealer service department.
On 12/02/2024, they sent me a video explaining that a squirrel had chewed through the engine wiring harness and had severed the leads to three cylinders. "The engine wire harness is on backorder. We will need to begin with the engine wiring harness to ensure that everything is running smoothly. This will allow us to identify any other issues that may have been caused by the rodent that damaged the wiring harness.”

"Backorder" means that Ford Motor Company does not have the part and that they would order it from the manufacturer. The service adviser said if I could find a used part, they would install it. He said that the part number for the wire assembly is GU5Z-12A581-R.

I located the part from a salvage yard in Lynn, Massachusetts, for $250 + $40 postage. I verified that the part number matched the VIN of the donor car (another 2016 GT, automatic). The part was delivered today (Friday, 12-27-2024), and I will give it to the mechanics on Monday (see Photo 1).

In the meantime, the squirrels revisited another car in my driveway. I retaliated by installing a “Rodent Repellent for Car Engines, Ultrasonic Repellent Plug in, 4 Strobe Lights Repeller Under Hood, Keep Rodents out of Car” on top of the battery to keep squirrels away. Two of them cost $52 at Amazon (Photo 2 and Video 3). So far, so good. I have not seen any evidence of squirrel occupation since I installed it.

As a further touch, I laid a battery-powered electric shock pad on top of the engine (for use while parked). It will give a squirrel a surprising tingle (Photos 4 and 5). I will also install a sonic repeller and shock pad in the Mustang when I get it back.

Sponsored

 

[CrazyHippie]

I use peppermint oil and dryer sheets under the hood, and traps. We have chipmunks, mice and squirrels. The traps are effective for chipmunks and mice. (They do most of the damage.) Neighborhood coyotes and my Ruger 20-22 are effective for squirrels.

 

[ew1usnr]

I use peppermint oil and dryer sheets under the hood, and traps. We have chipmunks, mice and squirrels. The traps are effective for chipmunks and mice. (They do most of the damage.) Neighborhood coyotes and my Ruger 20-22 are effective for squirrels.

I ordered some of this peppermint paste. It will be more persistent than the peppermint spray. The cans have sticky tape on their bottoms.

 

[ew1usnr]

I provided the used engine wiring harness (part #GU5Z-12A581-R) to the Ford mechanics on Monday, 12/30/2024. They texted me the next day that the car was ready, and I retrieved it the following day on 01/01/2025 (Happy New Year!). The first thing I did after getting it home was to install an electronic "Rodent Repellent for Car Engines, Ultrasonic Repellent Plug in, 4 Strobe Lights" plus two self-adhesive canisters of “Rat Repellent for Car Engines - Peppermint Oil Mouse Repellent, Rat Repellent Keeping Rodents Out of Car"

Sponsored