Mouse chews hybrid wiring harness and causes $1166.79 damage

**efusco** · 09-30-2006, 10:36 PM

I'm not a mechanic, but does that look like a 'hack-job' of a repair to anyone else? Were they rationing tape that week? Why the big gaps and what's the white pad on there?

wheels · 09-30-2006, 11:03 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 30 2006, 10:36 PM) [snapback]326298[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm not a mechanic, but does that look like a 'hack-job' of a repair to anyone else? Were they rationing tape that week? Why the big gaps and what's the white pad on there?
[/b]

I'm not sure what the white pad is either, but when I held it, it looked a lot like a shoe lace folded over a couple times. Like some kind of white fiber material. Does anyone have a picture of what that area looks like under normal conditions?

daniel · 10-01-2006, 12:08 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Sep 30 2006, 02:50 PM) [snapback]326191[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Check with your insurance carrier. This should be covered by the Comprehensive portion of your auto policy.
[/b]

You beat me to it. I was going to suggest this also.

theorist · 10-01-2006, 01:09 AM

You've received many great suggestions.

Toyota customer service:
Focus on their opportunity for goodwill with a courtesy repair. Suggest courtesy for the diagnostic work and you paying for the repair labor after the correct diagnosis was made. Point out the learning benefit that Toyota received from this for future diagnoses and hopefully product design improvements. Point out the costs you incurred from the loss of use of your car. Ask if the owners manual and warranty need to be modified to warn owners to park their vehicles where rodents can not enter the car through openings that the owner cannot seal. Request arbitration after a couple letters and phone calls.

Toyota dealership:
Focus on your rights under your state laws. In particular, be aware of rights regarding binding written estimates and replaced parts. Let them know that you will pursue the dealership as the agent of Toyota Motor Company for any lack of good faith in warranty coverage through the better business bureau, small claims court, and/or state arbitration options.

Auto insurance:
Read all the fine print of your comprehensive coverage details very carefully. Then decide based on this if you want to file a claim. Don't rely on the opinion of an agent or adjuster if they say this isn't covered but your policy implies it would be. Inquire with any state insurance regulator.

I just noticed that you're in Canada. Sorry. Take advice from fellow Canadians.

Frank Hudon · 10-01-2006, 02:09 AM

89 tenths? is that what your saying? if so that's 14 hours billable at the shop rate 78$ per hr. If they changed the harness that might be about the time for that job. I don't have the rates for jobs so only guessing. I wouldn't pay till they give you the harness and show you exactly where the damage is and why it couldn't be repaired. But to charge you 14.8 hours for a tape job is just robbery. No shot gun jobs here. What were the codes that were set as that should have pointed them in the direction that they had to start checking. Also you have to pull the back seat out to get the cover of the HV battery so that should have allowed them to see the damaged wire harness. Some thing not right with their story.

galaxee · 10-01-2006, 03:56 PM

that's driver side right?

so on ours there isn't that white padding, but we do have some of the green tape.

as far as DH knows you can't get that tape at the dealership, actually. we don't know what the deal with that is. see, contrary to other opinions he thinks it actually looks a little TOO good... makes him wonder if there were any broken wires to begin with.

i mean, if they did get their hands on some of that tape, he wants to know where. and if it was repaired, they did a good job, appearance wise.

14 hours of labor is waaaaay too much for that though, that's for sure.

**efusco** · 10-01-2006, 04:01 PM

Does he know what that white padding is Gal? Could they have just taken off the old tape, put the white pad on and used the tape again?

galaxee · 10-01-2006, 04:04 PM

don't think that tape is reusable... the graphic would probably peel off it.

no idea what that white pad is... actually quite curious what it is. that's the strange thing about the whole deal. actually that's the only reason it appears anything was done to it at all.

egb6550 · 10-01-2006, 04:56 PM

Thats exaclty why I put the "NO MICE ALLOWED!" sign next to all my vents.

tochatihu · 10-01-2006, 06:19 PM

Has anybody ever thought of mixing something very distasteful into the vinyl, etc, insulation prior to it being extruded onto wires? I have not checked at HalfBakery for this idea.

Yucky plus non-corrosive rules out acids but there are lots of other choices. What taste do rodents hate? I also see a high school science experiment here...

10-01-2006, 02:09 AM	#15
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	89 tenths? is that what your saying? if so that's 14 hours billable at the shop rate 78$ per hr. If they changed the harness that might be about the time for that job. I don't have the rates for jobs so only guessing. I wouldn't pay till they give you the harness and show you exactly where the damage is and why it couldn't be repaired. But to charge you 14.8 hours for a tape job is just robbery. No shot gun jobs here. What were the codes that were set as that should have pointed them in the direction that they had to start checking. Also you have to pull the back seat out to get the cover of the HV battery so that should have allowed them to see the damaged wire harness. Some thing not right with their story. __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

10-01-2006, 03:56 PM	#16
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	that's driver side right? so on ours there isn't that white padding, but we do have some of the green tape. as far as DH knows you can't get that tape at the dealership, actually. we don't know what the deal with that is. see, contrary to other opinions he thinks it actually looks a little TOO good... makes him wonder if there were any broken wires to begin with. i mean, if they did get their hands on some of that tape, he wants to know where. and if it was repaired, they did a good job, appearance wise. 14 hours of labor is waaaaay too much for that though, that's for sure. __________________ black 2005 prius, a few mods that make me happy g: class of '09 in intense science DH: class of '09 in medical equipment hoping to discover the 'reward' part of the sacrifice-reward cycle soon!

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09-30-2006, 10:36 PM	#11
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,239 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	I'm not a mechanic, but does that look like a 'hack-job' of a repair to anyone else? Were they rationing tape that week? Why the big gaps and what's the white pad on there?

10-01-2006, 01:09 AM	#14
theorist Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 330 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	You've received many great suggestions. Toyota customer service: Focus on their opportunity for goodwill with a courtesy repair. Suggest courtesy for the diagnostic work and you paying for the repair labor after the correct diagnosis was made. Point out the learning benefit that Toyota received from this for future diagnoses and hopefully product design improvements. Point out the costs you incurred from the loss of use of your car. Ask if the owners manual and warranty need to be modified to warn owners to park their vehicles where rodents can not enter the car through openings that the owner cannot seal. Request arbitration after a couple letters and phone calls. Toyota dealership: Focus on your rights under your state laws. In particular, be aware of rights regarding binding written estimates and replaced parts. Let them know that you will pursue the dealership as the agent of Toyota Motor Company for any lack of good faith in warranty coverage through the better business bureau, small claims court, and/or state arbitration options. Auto insurance: Read all the fine print of your comprehensive coverage details very carefully. Then decide based on this if you want to file a claim. Don't rely on the opinion of an agent or adjuster if they say this isn't covered but your policy implies it would be. Inquire with any state insurance regulator. I just noticed that you're in Canada. Sorry. Take advice from fellow Canadians.

10-01-2006, 04:01 PM	#17
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,239 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Does he know what that white padding is Gal? Could they have just taken off the old tape, put the white pad on and used the tape again?

10-01-2006, 04:04 PM	#18
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	don't think that tape is reusable... the graphic would probably peel off it. no idea what that white pad is... actually quite curious what it is. that's the strange thing about the whole deal. actually that's the only reason it appears anything was done to it at all.

10-01-2006, 04:56 PM	#19
egb6550 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 28 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thats exaclty why I put the "NO MICE ALLOWED!" sign next to all my vents.

10-01-2006, 06:19 PM	#20
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,411 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	Has anybody ever thought of mixing something very distasteful into the vinyl, etc, insulation prior to it being extruded onto wires? I have not checked at HalfBakery for this idea. Yucky plus non-corrosive rules out acids but there are lots of other choices. What taste do rodents hate? I also see a high school science experiment here...