Squirrel, chipmunk, or mouse under hood?

[MONKEYMAN]

There was some street work so a garaged RX300 needed to stay out a few days in the neighbourhood. Went to charge battery and saw pieces of acorn on top of battery, on top of strut towers, and found a lot in bottom of air filter housing (varmint condo). I was thinking squirrel, but did notice very small turds. On property we have lots of squirrels, some chipmunks, voles, and mice.

The kitten caught two mice in basement earlier this spring. Cleaned out the garage and something was living there this winter. Their was a lot of small calling cards.

Garage is connected to basement so maybe they moved indoors when I cleaned the garage.

My question is how to proceed. Lexus was parked a few blocks away for several days just last week.. Never saw one evidence anything like accorns, turds, etc prior to that. I have a 99 Saturn. I can hear acorns in hood liner. Had a 1993 Sentra that was parked outside all year. I routinely found acorns on top of intake, in air filter housing, and they managed to get them in A/C evaporator housing. I used to spray ammonia under hood which seemed to slow them down.

With the Lexus I was told the automatic feature to turn off lights and drivers side door power lock not working. Battery was half charged. I am hoping a full charge will resolve the power lock. I did not see evidence of any wiring being chewed (yet).

How would you address this situation?

 

[hypervish]

The power door lock is probably a worn door lock actuator. Two ways to fix it, open the old door lock actuator motor and replace the motor (cost $10 for two motors, you only need one). Or, piggyback a cheap door lock actuator in addition to the current OEM actuator (also $10). I prefer just replacing the old motor. There are DIY's for both on Club Lexus.

The feature to turn off lights?? Headlights? You press the "Lock" button twice.

 

[jimbrewer]

Those critters can do a lot of damage. With Hanta virus around they can be lethal. I went to the feed store and got some poison. It looks like a giant granola bar. You break it in pieces and leave it in strategic places. Also, sticky traps. If you have domestic pets, you have to use with great discretion.

I'd make it worthwhile for cat to spend some quality time in your basement.

 

[Traction]

A place I used to work at, I was driving their 05 F150 one day, and it died in its tracks. Towed to a shop and there was a walnut wedged in the throttle blade of the intake and the computer had shut it down. Cone shaped filter was torn to shreds and there was 29 walnuts in the air filter housing. Put a screen over the inlet, and it still happened 2 more times after that. Those squirrels don't give up. Plus all the debris that went into the engine in the process.

 

[artificialist]

My dad once had mice chew through some hoses in his 1992 Nissan Sentra. Homeowner's insurance paid for the repair.

 

[morris]

the squirrel should taste the best.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Battery charged. Locked moved a little. But would not work all the way. The fully charged battery briefly helped.

When I turn lights to Automatic position they flash on, the quickly turn off. I see what she is talking about. I do not drive Lexus much, but they would stay on longer in past.

I provide TLC to Lexus. Larger repairs I do not do. The owner freaks out when she sees me change oil on my car. "Is something wrong" is her response to routine maintenance. She has already talked about replacing vehicle due to door switch and lights. Just wait till I tell her about the squirrel, etc.

I am not going to touch the door repair. She was going to buy a BMW but did not like the way it drove. I have a feeling she will just get something with a warranty if she has too many concerns about the Lexus. Old vehicles have things that wear out no matter how low the miles are.

I think poison could be a problem. The kitten could get a sick mouse. She replaced a cat that got into something and died suddenly one day. I am thinking conventional mouse traps. I don't think squirrel is in garage. Now that she can keep Lexus in the garage I hope to have less acorns under the hood. Unfortunatley, whatever put them there may see things differently. They may return to the scene of the crime. I think studying squirrel and mouse psychology is in order. Know your enemy is rule #1.

Thanks for the ideas. I found a dirty air filter and cabin filter. I will change them and call it a day.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: morris
the squirrel should taste the best.


If you wanted to see my grandpa smile ear to ear just fix him squirrel in milk gravy.

 

[hypervish]

When you turn the light stalk to the Auto position, they flash on because you turn on the headlight when doing that. The Auto position is last, after the headlight position. Which is why they briefly flash.

In order to test the automatic lights, it needs to be dark outside. Or you can cover the light sensor and test it.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
When you turn the light stalk to the Auto position, they flash on because you turn on the headlight when doing that. The Auto position is last, after the headlight position. Which is why they briefly flash.

In order to test the automatic lights, it needs to be dark outside. Or you can cover the light sensor and test it.


OK, thanks. I will have to test when I have time. Looking at Denso air and cabin filters at Rock Auto. Owner of Lexus can get in a hurry and forgot details. I remember I time when she kept on failing to tighten gas cap and would get 3 codes. I ended up getting a code reader then worked on training her to turn cap till it clicks. So lights may be an error on her part or just being in a hurry.