ABS BRAKE SENSOR WIRES CUT. Any ideas? (1 Viewer)

[hobbyhome]

For the 2nd time in 4 months our ABS brake sensor wires from the chassis to the rear axle on our Transit Motorhome have been cut. Has anyone got any idea why this would be done? Both times it happened at home parked on our drive. The brakes are fine it is just the sensor wires, We get on very well with all the neighbours. Any ideas?

 

[DavidG58]

hate to say this but it looks chewed through not cut

 

[daveandsan]

Squirrels maybe.

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[hobbyhome]

Lots of people are saying squirrels. Originally we thought a human as 1 clean cut but now believe it is a rodent of some description. Thanks.

 

[Minxy]

Is it possible that they're being caught/trapped on something when you drive the MH, either on the ground/road or on the MH itself? We had a sensor on one of our front wheels 'cut' and all we could assume is it had got caught on something when we were driving along some rough ground.

 

[daveandsan]

Lots of people are saying squirrels. Originally we thought a human as 1 clean cut but now believe it is a rodent of some description. Thanks.

I had squirrels bite through a metal peanut feeder.

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[Minxy]

I had squirrels bite through a metal peanut feeder.

... you shouldn't have had them trapped inside it then!

 

[daveandsan]

... you shouldn't have had them trapped inside it then!

I wish.

 

[hobbyhome]

Definitely not caught on something. It happened both times on our drive. All the pieces were under the vehicle.

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[ChrisL]

Maybe set one of these up under the van?

 

[Spanner]

If it is squirrels you could try something like this from Amazon ?

Amazon product ASIN B01I25HG9W

 

[Feltwell]

I agree with the others - that's definitely not a cut, wire cutters would give a much cleaner cut than that, that's either abrasion or gnawing - and my money would be on rodents. It's funny what they'll go for, if the wire is hanging down it could just be a tempting target for one. A bit of spiral wrap around the wire may be enough to make it less attractive - although Spanner's Amazon find looks better, if it's flexible enough to still move OK with the van suspension.

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[hobbyhome]

I will show my husband tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[hobbyhome]

If it is squirrels you could try something like this from Amazon ?

Amazon product ASIN B01I25HG9W

I will show my husband tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[hobbyhome]

Maybe set one of these up under the van?

I will show my husband tomorrow. Thanks.

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[Minxy]

Another option may be to try to put a cover over the wiring, or put something on it to deter the squirrels etc from nibbling it ... not sure what they don't like the taste of but thinks like garlic, chilli pepper/oil, and peppermint I think puts them off too ... Vaseline wouldn't taste that nice either!

 

[ChrisL]

Maybe whilst you're trying deterrents you could just string a dummy bit of cable up so you don't have to replace the actual ABS leads every time. I fear if it is Squirrels then the only way to stop them will be via a proper trap but maybe you could find another way.

 

[The Nomad]

I will show my husband tomorrow. Thanks.

Lucky husband..... Is it his birthday then?

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[JFD]

Traps are OK, but if it’s squirrels, you will just trap a problem! If it’s a grey one, you have to destroy it, as it’s classed as a foreign pest - you can’t just relocate it and let it go! If it’s a red one (lucky you), it’s protected, and you shouldn’t have trapped it!!

You might want to try one of the German Marten deterrents, which seem to keep all kinds of wildlife away (including rats and mice). We keep our Moho on a local farm, with one of these hung under the bonnet, connected to the jump start terminals, pointed down and back to flood the underneath with sounds they don’t like! It certainly keeps the mice and rats away!!

 

[Geo]

I had squirrels bite through a metal peanut feeder.

You shouldn't feed Squirrels Metal Peanuts

 

[ChrisL]

Traps are OK, but if it’s squirrels, you will just trap a problem! If it’s a grey one, you have to destroy it, as it’s classed as a foreign pest - you can’t just relocate it and let it go! If it’s a red one (lucky you), it’s protected, and you shouldn’t have trapped it!!

You might want to try one of the German Marten deterrents, which seem to keep all kinds of wildlife away (including rats and mice). We keep our Moho on a local farm, with one of these hung under the bonnet, connected to the jump start terminals, pointed down and back to flood the underneath with sounds they don’t like! It certainly keeps the mice and rats away!!

I wasn't thinking of a live trap but you are quite correct grey squirrels cannot be relocated legally and if you use a kill trap it needs to be an approved one set in a tunnel or cage that prevents other species from entering. Perhaps the repellent you mentioned will do the job, a better solution all round if it does. The model you linked to is available on Amazon at half the price if that helps anyone.

Edit: I found the following which might be the cause as well.
http://www.garageservicesnorthlondon.co.uk/animal-damage-cars/

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[Two on Tour]

Traps are OK, but if it’s squirrels, you will just trap a problem! If it’s a grey one, you have to destroy it, as it’s classed as a foreign pest - you can’t just relocate it and let it go! If it’s a red one (lucky you), it’s protected, and you shouldn’t have trapped it!!

You might want to try one of the German Marten deterrents, which seem to keep all kinds of wildlife away (including rats and mice). We keep our Moho on a local farm, with one of these hung under the bonnet, connected to the jump start terminals, pointed down and back to flood the underneath with sounds they don’t like! It certainly keeps the mice and rats away!!

Thanks for the lead on the Marten deterrents. The rodents rather like the foam protection and wiring insulation in the engine bay on Yvette's BMW.
Found the Marten deterrents at nearly half the eBay price on Amazon so have I have just ordered two, one for the BMW and one for the motorhome.

Amazon product ASIN B0000WR76I

 

[Steve N Tracy]

I had a customer once where squirrels had chewed up his plug leads on various occasions, he liberally wiped some Vic's vapour rub on them that deterred the little buggers.

 

[hobbyhome]

Yes will try that. Thanks.

I had a customer once where squirrels had chewed up his plug leads on various occasions, he liberally wiped some Vic's vapour rub on them that deterred the little buggers.

Good idea.

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[hobbyhome]

Thanks for the lead on the Marten deterrents. The rodents rather like the foam protection and wiring insulation in the engine bay on Yvette's BMW.
Found the Marten deterrents at nearly half the eBay price on Amazon so have I have just ordered two, one for the BMW and one for the motorhome.

Amazon product ASIN B0000WR76I

Will look at that.

 

[hobbyhome]

I had a customer once where squirrels had chewed up his plug leads on various occasions, he liberally wiped some Vic's vapour rub on them that deterred the little buggers.

Will try that.

 

[Duck Truck]

Ahhh!!!!! All the optimists
Did anyone think they may be after the brake pipes!!!!!

Have you found any horses heads in your beds

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[icantremember]

Vic's vapour rub

Great if you have twin Webber carbs ... really improves engine breathing!

 

[namwaldog]

Is there any way you can set your dash cam up to record any repeat?

 

[Two on Tour]

Is there any way you can set your dash cam up to record any repeat?

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