12 Volt automotive wires

[Ray G.]

Hello;

Spoke with a Mechanic friend who repairs diesel and gas trucks and cars including rodent damaged 12 volt wiring.

He said the most automotive 12V wire cover/insulators are SOY based.

Consequently the wire insulation cover are food for rodents.

Can anyone on the TDB contribute to that thought ?

Thank You for your help.

Ray

[Gary C.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

Ray,

Soy based automotive wiring IIRC was introduced around 2000 to save money and be environmentally friendly.

Gary
....

[Duke W.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

I recall in the early/mid-nineties that Daimler-Benz began using "biodegradable" wiring harnesses, which started failing due to degradation of the insulation when the cars got to be 15-20 years old. I don't know of any other manufacturers that engaged in the same nonsense, but I except others did, And I don't know if the practice continues.

Duke

[Leif A.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

I recall in the early/mid-nineties that Daimler-Benz began using "biodegradable" wiring harnesses, which started failing due to degradation of the insulation when the cars got to be 15-20 years old. I don't know of any other manufacturers that engaged in the same nonsense, but I except others did, And I don't know if the practice continues.

Duke

Oh, it certainly does. In 2007, we opened a new BMW dealership on 26 acres of, what was, open field...former home to many hundreds/thousands of field mice. Almost immediately, we started having issues with wiring harnesses being gnawed on. After awhile, the little f#$%&#$ moved on but not before doing plenty of damage to both new and pre-owned BMWs.
Good read below:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...hink-is-tasty/

[Roger W.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

My neighbor had that problem with his 2012 Lexus. I thought that it was strange that mice would eat wire insulation, until I read an article about the new SOY based insulation. Another "great improvement".

[Ed S.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

As others have stated, it is true. It is like a 24 hour salad bar for rodents - they get nutrition from it. The industry switched to the soy based stuff for two reasons, cost and it is allegedly good for the environment. I have heard that some manufacturers have switched to a product that includes a very distasteful material mixed in with the soy based insulation material to deter rodents. Others (Honda for one) has issued TBs that instruct dealers to wrap wires in a tape that contains distasteful materials - a fix if you are having rodent issues. Finally, you can buy tape that has bad tasting stuff in it to deter mice. Just do a google search for "electrical tape to deter rodents". Doesn't it just piss you off - you have to correct a deliberate design flaw that manufacturers built into your car in the name of the environment. I bet the auto industry never tested this stuff before they started using it - like leave a car with soy wires parked in an old garage for a few weeks.

[Richard M.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

My 2006 Silverado had a rodent chew through a plastic vacuum pipe at the fuel tank. Before we found it, it caused a Check Engine code for Emissions fault. It took a long time to diagnose. Those also have Soy base. This was about 7 years ago. That's when I read about Soy based wiring.

Insurance companies have paid out millions for claims, and manufacturers are responsible if under warranty. They too have repaired these failures on some makes.

Rich

[Roger W.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

There are many places in a vehicle with wires that you can't even see, but a rodent can get into those spaces.

[Dave H.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

Mercedes crappy engine harnesses were 91-96, then they returned to conventional insulation. Lots of wiring replaced. Mine is a 98 that continues daily driving with the orig wiring.

[Ray G.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

Thank YOU everyone for your informed answers.
Ray

[Richard M.]

Re: 12 Volt automotive wires

Im hoping reproduction harnesses from Lectric Limited and M&H are getting their wire stock from a "Non-Soybean Based" Supplier.

That's a scary thought but it's been on my mind since I learned about this topic years ago.