GHall
New member
We have an 08 (Dodge) sprinter based RV (RoadTrek SS Agile). Being an RV, it is parked more than driven, and is parked outside at home. I try to get it out for a 15 mile run including some freeway on a less than monthly basis, but don't alway remember. So this spring I hopped in and fired it up for an exercise run, it balked but eventually started. Many warning lights. Diesel running on the ground.
Investigation reveals chewing damage as shown in the attached images, along with acorns stored above the fuel tank and under the air cleaner element. Most of the chewed wires were snipped off from larger cables and were probably in the way. One rat was eventually trapped allowing identification; the image is graphic. The animal is an Eastern Woodrat, or packrat. These communal rodents are native to the Southeastern US, build nests, and select an area to use as a latrine. Which turned out to be on top of the engine.
The repair was straightforward, the problem was finding all (I hope) of the damage. After repairing the fuel return hose the vehicle could be driven, but the transmission was in 'limp home' mode (second gear) and 35mph was about as fast as it would go. The nearest Sprinter friendly dealer was MB in Augusta (Ga) who read out the trouble codes (for free!) from the controller and confirmed that they looked like real wiring damage and not electronic spooks. Armed with the print-outs and a shop manual CD from the internet the tracing of the damaged wiring was time consuming but not difficult. I did all the work. Wires were spliced back together and covered with shrink tubing and then friction tape. Instead of repairing the cable over the fuel tank a bypass cable was made up and spliced in at each end after cutting out the damage. The packaged splices were used for cable bypass and AC line, they were found in the local big box (Lowes or Depot) and worked well with a hot air gun.
The hardest damage to access was the cable over the fuel tank. Not having access to a lift, two ramps were built to allow raising one end or side of the vehicle by 6 inches. The tank was held in place with a large block and jack while the 6 1" bolts were replaced with 2.5" bolts allowing the tank to be lowered enough to reach the cable (the filler hose needed to be disconnected).
damage/sensor: location: notes
washer fluid hose: engine right: replaced with similar from Advance.
air temp sensor: front license plate: remove grill & bumper cover to access cable.
fuel return: engine: near 'tee', enough hose to clip end off and move up.
intake pressure sensor: engine/intake: detects plugged filter, was in 'latrine' area.
temperature sensor(?): wire near above pressure sensor: also latrine area.
AC control: wire at compressor: this one didn't show up on the scan. Remove headlight and washer tank to access.
main cable: above fuel tank: rear brake wear, rear wheel rotation, rear tire pressure transponder, trailer lights connection. No rotation sensors means limp home/no ABS.
Investigation reveals chewing damage as shown in the attached images, along with acorns stored above the fuel tank and under the air cleaner element. Most of the chewed wires were snipped off from larger cables and were probably in the way. One rat was eventually trapped allowing identification; the image is graphic. The animal is an Eastern Woodrat, or packrat. These communal rodents are native to the Southeastern US, build nests, and select an area to use as a latrine. Which turned out to be on top of the engine.
The repair was straightforward, the problem was finding all (I hope) of the damage. After repairing the fuel return hose the vehicle could be driven, but the transmission was in 'limp home' mode (second gear) and 35mph was about as fast as it would go. The nearest Sprinter friendly dealer was MB in Augusta (Ga) who read out the trouble codes (for free!) from the controller and confirmed that they looked like real wiring damage and not electronic spooks. Armed with the print-outs and a shop manual CD from the internet the tracing of the damaged wiring was time consuming but not difficult. I did all the work. Wires were spliced back together and covered with shrink tubing and then friction tape. Instead of repairing the cable over the fuel tank a bypass cable was made up and spliced in at each end after cutting out the damage. The packaged splices were used for cable bypass and AC line, they were found in the local big box (Lowes or Depot) and worked well with a hot air gun.
The hardest damage to access was the cable over the fuel tank. Not having access to a lift, two ramps were built to allow raising one end or side of the vehicle by 6 inches. The tank was held in place with a large block and jack while the 6 1" bolts were replaced with 2.5" bolts allowing the tank to be lowered enough to reach the cable (the filler hose needed to be disconnected).
damage/sensor: location: notes
washer fluid hose: engine right: replaced with similar from Advance.
air temp sensor: front license plate: remove grill & bumper cover to access cable.
fuel return: engine: near 'tee', enough hose to clip end off and move up.
intake pressure sensor: engine/intake: detects plugged filter, was in 'latrine' area.
temperature sensor(?): wire near above pressure sensor: also latrine area.
AC control: wire at compressor: this one didn't show up on the scan. Remove headlight and washer tank to access.
main cable: above fuel tank: rear brake wear, rear wheel rotation, rear tire pressure transponder, trailer lights connection. No rotation sensors means limp home/no ABS.
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