Varmints in engine.

[propane1]

Chewed wires off knock sensor. And chewed a bunch of other stuff.

2005 Ford Ranger.

Noel

[DavidBarkey]

Yes Noel , very commond problem in rurual areas . I have done that repair and many others in air breathers, hvac , engine cavities . In the spring and fall when they are looking for nest sights. If you don't run you vehical everyday , You are vunnerable . Me I have a new guardian for my truck . Mr. Whisker likes to nap under my truck during the day. The smell of fresh rust proofing seems to help in the fall as welll .

[Harry]

My son in law who lives next door to me told me yesterday that he mowed the grass last Friday. He started up his LT and saw some smoke under the hood. Sure enough a mouse had built a nest in the engine compartment and it started a fire. Time for the traps to come out to catch those rascals. Harry

[JSinMO]

That sucks Noel, but glad you found them before any more damage was caused.

I had a crazy situation like that years ago. I was about 20 miles from home at some friends. Truck ran fine when I got there. I got in to come home and the dashboard was lit up like a Christmas tree with warning lights! It ran so I eased it the 20 miles back home. My wife came out when I pulled into the driveway. I popped the hood and we both jumped back, there was a ground hog sitting on the battery!
The little jerk chewed through a bunch of the wiring harnesses on the front of the engine and went for a ride through the country! I spent the next day fixing it all. I have no idea what possessed that critter to climb in there and do that!

[RoamingGnome]

Yuck! That's annoying isn't it... I once made the mistake of putting some left over Roxul insulation in the shed - Mice must have thought it was a present from mouse heaven still keep finding clumps of green insulation in old car parts I had in the shed at the same time...

[Harry]

I use little bags that onions come in filled with moth balls to keep them out of places they like to go. Harry

[propane1]

So. An update. Son got the truck all back together and running. But. He still was not convinced that was the problem that made the truck quit on the road. So he looked father.
It seemed to him the truck was losing fuel pressure. Knock sensor would not cause that.
He found the inertia switch and wire all corroded and wires melted. Common problem apparently. Not cause by the varmints.
He’s ordered more parts.

Noel

[Eugen]

@propane1 those type of problems can be horrible to troubleshoot, your son is good at it I bet!

[propane1]

So. Son got the parts for the truck and is now finished. Messaged me last nite to say it’s ready to go. I take back his Ford Expedition today and get my truck. Hoping to split wood today. Seems like I lost a week without doing wood. Bad weather and other things slowing things up.

Noel