Pack Rat Damage
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Tucson
Pack Rat Damage
Have a new 2025 Cooper S. Bought it December 28, 2024.
Went on vacation and kept it in the garage. Normally it’s outside. I live in Tucson.
Came home and noticed a check engine light. Ran OBD and it indicated evaporator. Took it to mini service and they found a ba0e42 code nvld line disconnection. They pulled backseat and saw that the wiring to fuel sending unit was eaten by packet rats and there was paper and leaves in the compartment looking like a nest. Don’t know if this happened while in garage or not.
I knew there was damage when the garage called me Friday but not where. I investigated and saw that there were rodent repellents on Amazon that send an ultrasonic signal and lights to deter nesting. In most cars you can hook these in engine compartment and attach it to battery cable to power. Obviously in a mini you can’t. Edit: my 05 mini had its battery in trunk. I see this one has it in engine compartment but it’s very difficult to access terminals.
Has anyone had any experience with these device and using in a mini? And honestly if they nested where the fuel pump was I am not sure it would do the trick but maybe I would prevent Damage in engine compartment.
Went on vacation and kept it in the garage. Normally it’s outside. I live in Tucson.
Came home and noticed a check engine light. Ran OBD and it indicated evaporator. Took it to mini service and they found a ba0e42 code nvld line disconnection. They pulled backseat and saw that the wiring to fuel sending unit was eaten by packet rats and there was paper and leaves in the compartment looking like a nest. Don’t know if this happened while in garage or not.
I knew there was damage when the garage called me Friday but not where. I investigated and saw that there were rodent repellents on Amazon that send an ultrasonic signal and lights to deter nesting. In most cars you can hook these in engine compartment and attach it to battery cable to power. Obviously in a mini you can’t. Edit: my 05 mini had its battery in trunk. I see this one has it in engine compartment but it’s very difficult to access terminals.
Has anyone had any experience with these device and using in a mini? And honestly if they nested where the fuel pump was I am not sure it would do the trick but maybe I would prevent Damage in engine compartment.
Last edited by maryakg; Jul 28, 2025 at 02:28 PM. Reason: Added info.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 393
From: In the here and now, for now.
I moved from the big city to a small town near the Blue Ridge Mountains for almost a year. Lots and lots of critters up there and I too was concerned about rodents nesting and making a meal of the wiring in my '04 R53.
Although this is by no means a recommendation or promotion - I installed this one: purchased on My R53 (Mini S), also has the battery in the rear hatch. After finding a suitable location under the hood (away from heat source), I ran the hot lead to the + jump terminal in the engine compartment. The device has an inline fuse. Very low voltage consumption. So depending on where you'd like to mount it you can just run a wire directly to the battery or any constant hot source from the fuse box.
I've never encountered any issues with rodents getting in to my car. I chose to install a rodent deterrent as a preventative measure.
I've heard moth ***** have worked for others as well.
Although this is by no means a recommendation or promotion - I installed this one: purchased on My R53 (Mini S), also has the battery in the rear hatch. After finding a suitable location under the hood (away from heat source), I ran the hot lead to the + jump terminal in the engine compartment. The device has an inline fuse. Very low voltage consumption. So depending on where you'd like to mount it you can just run a wire directly to the battery or any constant hot source from the fuse box.
I've never encountered any issues with rodents getting in to my car. I chose to install a rodent deterrent as a preventative measure.
I've heard moth ***** have worked for others as well.
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