Fox damage to sensor wiring

[Tapnstrum]

My 2019 California Ocean has been attacked by urban foxes in north London. The wiring loom was chewed to bits and several hundred pounds worth of damage was caused. This has now been repaired but I’m anxious that the same thing may just happen again. I know of two other T6 owners who have experienced similar problems. There are some posts about this on the forum but most of them are several years old. My garage told me that nothing could be done to protect the wiring. I’ve seen some posts about wrapping the wires in protection tied up with cable ties. Also lots of stuff on line about chilli paste, garlic oil and human urine. Before I start smearing red hot chilli paste underneath my van ar simply peeing on it - does anyone have any more definitive suggestions? Is this something that an auto electrician might be able to help me with? I’m not terribly techie. The thought of crawling underneath my van and trying to wrap the wires in something and tying them up with cable ties does not appeal. Surely there must be a solution as this seems to be becoming an increasing problem in urban areas. Apparently VW cables are soya wrapped and thus tastier than most. Thanks

 

[sidepod]

Lightening striking twice? Nah.

 

[B J G]

I fitted one of these which MAY put Foxes off also due to the high frequency sound emitted.
Not a big cost item to try.

Doesn't drain the battery.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I fitted one of these which MAY put Foxes off also due to the high frequency sound emitted.
Not a big cost item to try.

Doesn't drain the battery.

Pardon our interruption...

But what’s the power draw? Doesn’t look to be trigged by movement so on all the time.

 

[B J G]

But what’s the power draw? Doesn’t look to be trigged by movement so on all the time.

On when ignition off. Milliamp power.
Does an on/off operation not a permanent sound.

 

[Tapnstrum]

Thanks. It seems worth a try. Might be best connected to one of the leisure batteries?

 

[RockinNRollin]

I have an ultrasonic thing on the wall near my van to hopefully deter, but anecdotal evidence from both this forum and the wider 'net suggests a mixed effectiveness. Plenty of suggestion that things like peppermint oil are effective . . . I am thinking of mixing some with ACF50 (the latter of which is very safe to coat on anything other than tyres and brakes) and spraying the underside of the van, ticking both anti-corrosion and anti-vermin boxes in one go . . . hopefully.

 

[B J G]

Thanks. It seems worth a try. Might be best connected to one of the leisure batteries?

I Put it next to engine battery on the engine side of the heat shield as I thought sound would be better heard. Just needed a bit of wire extension.
Might not be heard if box in the van.

 

[edocali]

I live in south London and my wife cars electric handbrake was twice gnawed. Neighbour’s Ford campervan electrics gnawed recently. The list probably goes on..,
I see people putting boards around their cars and boards with spikes (like pigeon deterrents but sturdier) under them. I don’t know if these mechanical solutions work - certainly a pain to set up and remove especially when it rains …

 

[danvan]

This happened to me (twice), also in North London. On the second repair the garage had trouble reconnecting the cable, and warned that a third time would be difficult to repair.

We fabricated a spiked mat to sit under the van and coated the cable in grease. We didn't have any further trouble (could be coincidence).

A neighbour opposite with a VW campervan and a Ford work van also had the same problem (we copied his spiked mat solution).

 

[B J G]

Read an article about this problem in Canada. One solution available was an electrified mat that covered the parking area. Inside a garage obviously.
A problem in USA and Canada in rural areas apparently. Toyota was the main manufacturer mentioned.

 

[edocali]

Do you think something like this

Cat Deterrent Spikes Mat - 2m x 30cm Roll

Cat Deterrent Cat Spikes are a simple way to prevent cats from trespassing in your garden, helping protect your plants, flowers and garden. They are designed to deter pets such as cats and dogs (as well as foxes) from trespassing in your garden. Cat Scat Mats are made out of plastic and have...

www.greenthumbz.co.uk

would be good enough ?

This happened to me (twice), also in North London. On the second repair the garage had trouble reconnecting the cable, and warned that a third time would be difficult to repair.

We fabricated a spiked mat to sit under the van and coated the cable in grease. We didn't have any further trouble (could be coincidence).

A neighbour opposite with a VW campervan and a Ford work van also had the same problem (we copied his spiked mat solution).

 

[MarknJo’s Cali]

We have also experienced (twice this year) an attack on the exposed wiring under our MY22 Coast! Both times repaired by local VW specialist (VW just wanted to replace the whole cable at a far higher cost to repair). The garage wrapped the cable in aluminium tape. As our van is parked on the drive way, we extended the PIR security lights around the house to cover the van, also we put a ground level PIR light facing under the van. The trail camera that we put under the van seems to show that once the fox’s have triggered the light they don’t hang around very long! Will make up a mat with the anti cat spikes on it over Xmas in preparation for when the fox’s get used to the lights!

 

[flying banana]

Anyone see this story? Couldn't work out how to do the link sorry.

 

[WelshGas]

My deterrent works perfectly judging by the number of “ presents “ presented to us.

 

[Corradobrit]

Anyone see this story? Couldn't work out how to do the link sorry.

View attachment 116324

Already reported. Obviously not a dedicated Cali owner.

Rodent Damage - any advice

In January I picked up a new California Beach. Last Thursday I filled up with Diesel and an hour later I found a significant amount of diesel dripping from the bottom of the van. Called roadside assistance who took the van to the local repair centre and they organised a hire car. They...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Alan Baxter]

Mine suffered the same twice. SMG Croydon stated that they had installed chicken wire to vulnerable areas of Transporters, so did the same for my van. I've not had the problem for 3 years, so it seems to have worked.

 

[Alan Greensall]

VW offered then fitted the following item when my Cal was attacked twice.

VW wrote to me
”The only way to deter them is to fit a Rodent Repellent Device.
We sell a few types, some are just audible and some also electrocute the Rodents. The unit comes with a few sensors on that we can place around the affected areas.
They vary in price according to what you would prefer.
I have picked a top range one (an electrocuter) which is fitted + £178.00 Part & £102 Labour.
The part number for this is 000 054 650 F which you can google.

 

[Tapnstrum]

Lightening striking twice? Nah.

Sadly - lighting has indeed just struck twice. I’m just back from the garage with a new £800 bill for wiring repairs. Unless I can sort out a definitive solution, I’ll need to sell the van

 

[66tim99]

Who wrote to you please? Customer services?
I am building a case with the motor Ombudsman

VW offered then fitted the following item when my Cal was attacked twice.

VW wrote to me
”The only way to deter them is to fit a Rodent Repellent Device.
We sell a few types, some are just audible and some also electrocute the Rodents. The unit comes with a few sensors on that we can place around the affected areas.
They vary in price according to what you would prefer.
I have picked a top range one (an electrocuter) which is fitted + £178.00 Part & £102 Labour.
The part number for this is 000 054 650 F which you can google.

 

[B J G]

It appears to be getting worse

MSN

 

[Alan Greensall]

Who wrote to you please? Customer services?
I am building a case with the motor Ombudsman

The Birmingham VW van centre, and I had numerous phone calls with VW customer care line.

 

[66tim99]

My setup at the moment. Have used fox repellent spray in the fox spikes and put an infra red ultrasonic repellent device facing the van…

 

[66tim99]

The Birmingham VW van centre, and I had numerous phone calls with VW customer care line.

Thanks - was that recent?
I also had numerous phone calls, eventually being referred to head office, who decided there was nothing they could do, they wouldn’t pay for any repair or upgrades, and no rectification was needed.
Frustrating how differently they treat people.

 

[Defender90]

Thanks - was that recent?
I also had numerous phone calls, eventually being referred to head office, who decided there was nothing they could do, they wouldn’t pay for any repair or upgrades, and no rectification was needed.
Frustrating how differently they treat people.

Now you guys in the big smoke no why us Yorkshire people wanted fox hunting to continue
but they a amazing creatures and I love seeing them