Rats ate my Cadillac

[Rowdy]

I was out of town for awhile, and left my 96 Eldo in the neighbors barn. I can't figure why the rats would eat the rubber off the plug wires, but they did. Why not the darn tires? They're easier to get to. Anyway, I put my hand in the coil area, and recieved a major shock. I get the random misfire (Duh) and P0717, but not constant. By the posts I've read here, I expect arcing is causing the P0717. I need to know which plugs and wires are best for this car. It has 92432 miles on it. The existing wires are Delco, but the rats have removed some of the information. I have wires that are numbered for each cylinder. What I can read is Delco--low ohls---s___one--suppr___sion----2Q97----Packard. Also, where the best place to buy said wires? Thanks, Guys and Gals P.S. I went to the feed store, and bought the rats a special treat.

[The Fred]

I was out of town for awhile, and left my 96 Eldo in the neighbors barn. I can't figure why the rats would eat the rubber off the plug wires, but they did. Why not the darn tires? They're easier to get to. Anyway, I put my hand in the coil area, and recieved a major shock. I get the random misfire (Duh) and P0717, but not constant. By the posts I've read here, I expect arcing is causing the P0717. I need to know which plugs and wires are best for this car. It has 92432 miles on it. The existing wires are Delco, but the rats have removed some of the information. I have wires that are numbered for each cylinder. What I can read is Delco--low ohls---s___one--suppr___sion----2Q97----Packard. Also, where the best place to buy said wires? Thanks, Guys and Gals P.S. I went to the feed store, and bought the rats a special treat.

Be sure those little 3939ers didn't 0393 in there anywhere because their 9393 can cause big problems...

Damned rats stealing information and spreading disease.

One time I had a car sitting and the little 3939393s 2020 in the intake and everywhere.

That was terrible.

[JimD]

....

Also, where the best place to buy said wires? Thanks, Guys and Gals P.S. I went to the feed store, and bought the rats a special treat.

I like http://www.gmotors.com/contact.asp for OEM parts. You can actually talk to a live person on the phone.

RockAuto will also have ACDleco (OEM) wire sets https://www.rockauto.com/

[epricedright]

I was just looking at other part prices, so I just looked them up, they're $117.79 at rockauto.com and $115.47 at partszoneonline.com for your car. Both OEM ACDelco wire sets, add shiping to each price.

I had to laugh reading your post...sorry.

[JimD]

OR....

I have a wire set that I took off at 100,000 miles. Tell me what #'s you need and I'll get them to you.

[Rowdy]

OR....

I have a wire set that I took off at 100,000 miles. Tell me what #'s you need and I'll get them to you.

The little B%$$#@@#S had a party--I need them all, so I'll get a new set. Thanks anyway, JimD

[JasonA]

Rowdy, as for the plugs, use only the AC dual-plat plugs. 41-950 I believe is the part number.

If you're in a pinch for the wires, I've had fine luck (so far) with a set of Autolite Professional wires I bought after GMPartsDirect screwed me out of a deal on the real deal ACDelco wires. So far, these Autolites have been doing fine. Correct length and they were even pre-greased in the boots. 60 bucks at my local retailer.

If I did it over again, I would have bought the ACDelco wires at somewhere else, like Rockauto. But time got REAL short and GMPartsDirect just didn't come through.

[Rowdy]

Rowdy, as for the plugs, use only the AC dual-plat plugs. 41-950 I believe is the part number.

If you're in a pinch for the wires, I've had fine luck (so far) with a set of Autolite Professional wires I bought after GMPartsDirect screwed me out of a deal on the real deal ACDelco wires. So far, these Autolites have been doing fine. Correct length and they were even pre-greased in the boots. 60 bucks at my local retailer.

If I did it over again, I would have bought the ACDelco wires at somewhere else, like Rockauto. But time got REAL short and GMPartsDirect just didn't come through.

Thanks for the infio--I'm in no BIG hurry, as its been raining ever day, and for the next week, at least, so I drive the 98 Grand Cherry. I only want to do it once, so I want it right. We have had more rain in New Mexico this year, than in recorded history---MUD MUD MUD--I love it

[Bill K]

If you have had Comprehensive (storage) insurance on the Cad. it should cover the damage.

[The Fred]

Most comprensive coverages have a $100-$250 deductable... mine always did any way

Darn and my insurance was expensive I'd remember taking a few grand down there every six or so months back then *sigh*

[Ranger]

Might not have been rats. Their little cousins (mice) will do that as well. I had them nest in my home A/C unit one winter and they ate the insulation off the wires. I had to rewire it. Now I load it up with moth balls in fall (when I remember). Never could figure out what nutritional value they get out of wire insulation.

[KHE]

Might not have been rats. Their little cousins (mice) will do that as well. I had them nest in my home A/C unit one winter and they ate the insulation off the wires. I had to rewire it. Now I load it up with moth balls in fall (when I remember). Never could figure out what nutritional value they get out of wire insulation.

Larry,

If you use an air conditioner cover, that just invites mice... I use a piece of plywood (weighted with patio blocks) to cover the top of my A/C unit to keep out leaves, etc. Apparently, the mice don't like it and I have never had a problem since.

Don't waste too much time trying to figure out mice....they're just destructive little bastar..ds....anyway.

[Ranger]

Nope, no covers, no nothing. It's open to the elements, but the back side where the wiring is located is enclosed, and well protected, thus a great nesting place.

[Rowdy]

If you have had Comprehensive (storage) insurance on the Cad. it should cover the damage.

Hadn't thought of that, Bill. I'll cal my agent.

[PAUL T]

I had mice chew the insulation off the wire from the outside central air unit to the fan relay on my furnace. The short kept frying the fan relay. After 2 relays and 2 a/c technician house calls, we finally figured out what was going on. Darn mice!! I guess I am feeding my cats too much cat food.

[Rowdy]

If you have had Comprehensive (storage) insurance on the Cad. it should cover the damage.

Hadn't thought of that, Bill. I'll cal my agent.

My agent was out yesterday. I have $500.00 De. The local (60 miles) Caddy shop wants $450.00 (estimate) to replace the plug wires. The P0717 has me a bit concerned, but after reading all the posts I could find on the subject, I think it's the plug wires causing my problems. The wires are chewed all to hell, and totally exposed in some spots, so there must be a lot of juice floating around under that hood Anyway, the way the agent is writing it up, if I put it in the shop, it will be totally covered and repaired for my $500.00 deductable. My problem is, I will be without the car for a couple of weeks, and at 60 miles, I can't keep an eye on them. What I want to do, is replace the wires and plugs myself, and then if it still throws codes, I can put it in the shop. Does anyone see a problem with that? The $500.00 deductabe dosn't put me into vapor-lock, so the mony is not the issue on this one, It shifts normal, even with the code. Part of the time it's histotory, and part of the time, current. It's worse, the random misfire (P0300?) with the ac on, and after about ten miles driving. Should I go ahead and do the plugs and wires??????? Thanks

[Bruce Nunnally]

Could the rats have eaten through the rest of the wiring harness in spots as well, and not just the plug wires? Repair and replacement of all the wiring harness will be a lot more expensive. You should photograph and examine EVERY wire in the engine compartment (unfortunately) and ensure you know the extent of the damage.