The engine wiring on my 2009 TL has been attacked by rodents. It appears from other forums and Google searches that Acura wiring has been attractive to rodents in past models - with replacement harnesses actually featuring a "no-rats" logo. The dealer says warranty doesn't cover it and wants to charge $1400 to replace wiring. It seems like they should address it, if it's a known issue in earlier models. Am I being taken? Is this a common/current issue?

 

Welcome to the forums, but sorry to meet you under these circumstances.

Here's a couple of threads from THE 3G GARAGE for you to get started on.

A-013: n: Knock sensor wire chewed by a mouse
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86162
https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/2000-tl-forsale-173982/ DIY

 

If it's true that Acura has produced new harnesses with a logo or other printing that says "no rats" on it, then that's physical proof that they know this problem exists. I think it would also show negligence on their part to correct the problem and you could sue them in small claims to recoup whatever they charge you for the repair.

I'm sure Acura's logic is that it will cost less to produce anti-rat replacement harnesses and stick the customer with the repair cost than to change their production lines, but that's not the kind of treatment we should expect from Acura.

Just my non-legal professional two cents.

 

The dealer says it happens equally to other makes/models as well. I'll have to do some research. Another way to look at it is... If it's an increasing problem all over, then finding a solution would be a product differentiator. Thanks for the inputs.

 

No, you're not being taken its an issue with all vehicles and unfortunately your warranty won't cover it. However, there's nothing worse than having to spend money on having the problem happen more than once; I'd address the rodent issue ASAP and BEFORE having the vehicle repaired. Rather than trying to get Acura to cover the repair maybe you should talk to the service manager about reducing their hourly rate for the job.

A lady I know had a similar problem (squirrels) with her Prius for about a month straight. She lost power steering (on the freeway), all vehicle illumination (while driving at night), and ABS sensors. After paying for multiple repairs, I think she used poison to stop the squirrels.

 

what about insurance ? would your car insurance help here?

 

I've filed an insurance claim and am waiting to see what the adjuster says. Mostly I'm frustrated because I don't see a way to keep it from happening again. How do I eliminate squirrels and/or mice without doing the same to the neighbor's cat?

By the way, the dealer did offer to keep me in a TL loaner car instead of moving me to the moped level transport my insurance would cover... Points to Acura service.

 

Sorry to hear about your problem, but I don't think that this is Acura's fault. The fact that they are changing their wiring now doesn't mean that it's their fault either.

That's like saying that it's Acura's fault if someone else hits your car and you are injured from the airbag deployment. Their cars didn't have airbags in the past, but now they do. It's backwards thinking in my opinion.

Do previous Acura buyers now sue Acura if their car rusts because Acura now uses galvanized steel?

 

Good point. Time to call in a professional.

 

Rodents chewed through the wiring on my wife's 4 Runner. Wouldn't start one day when she was leaving work. Had it towed to the dealer. They figured out what happened. Insurance paid for the whole job - and the tow - minus deductible. I'm sure it helped that the dealer diagnosed the problem.
Happened to another person where she works just a couple weeks earlier. She now parks in a different lot away from the trees!

 

Cats and rodents exist at different levels on the food chain. What might smell enticing to a rodent is usually something a cat would walk from. They need to be baited with something tastier than your wiring. I've heard that peanut butter in a spring or box trap is very effective. Agreed, consulting a professional is a good way to go.

Usually the comprehensive coverage of an auto policy will cover things like this.

 

Hi gents, i have an 04 tl. which cost me in 06 $700 for the same wire replacement issue. So acura does infact know its a problem and i would say using it to...... well ya know. To have rats all over the US be attracted to the same (and only) wire should send up an alarm!!! I argued and still do not understand whats the difference in the one wire to the others.

 

Plain old fashioned mousetrap will work. Assuming you park in a garage, spread out 5-10 traps baited with peanut butter and wait for carnage. The cat stands no chance of being harmed, only small rodents that like peanut butter. Some winters I catch 50 or more field mice in my garage. I do not feel bad about it. One winter I did not put out traps and I was completly infested. Never again. Start early and keep them from breeding by killing them.

 

when i bought my car a year ago i had found mouse droppings in the engine bay and i called my dealer and had them sign a paper that said they would cover any damage caused by rodents.

 

Just paid $450 to have my knock sensor harness replaced at the dealership. It was clearly chewed by a rodent and caused a "check emission system" warning light.

Time to clean out the carport...