Dodge Ram 2500: Severe Rodent Damage & Now A Misfire

[@SouthMainAuto]

*Honda 4019-2317 Rodent Tape: amzn.to/2O8Eu9q *OTC 3896 Bosch Evolve Diagnostic Scan Tool: amzn.to/2CJiKil *OTC 3633 Mini-coil Cord Circuit Tester: amzn.to/2OdrEXx

[@scottyakoubian9238]

South Main Auto Repair The hoodie string po-po is a gonna get youuuuuu!

[@chris_mic]

I don't think any shop in my area that is the size or type of your shop would EVER be able to handle the diagnostic jobs that you solve. It's fun to watch how you solve these issues. Thanks for the great content.

[@ynotsman]

Rodents....last month I found my Jeep TJ airbox packed full with moss and other nesting materials. I couldn't believe it. My wife and I love your videos. We need more shops in our area like yours.

[@MaintenanceMan00]

I love how you don't edit out mistakes. As excellent of a tech/mechanic you are, you're only human!

[@idlehour2652]

I run into Rodent Damage on a Weekly basis, Lots of cars in my area are only used in the summer and stored in the winter and even on cars daily driven. Mint oil extract works amazing on repeling mice and Rat tape from Honda is great also. Love all your videos you have the best real world look into what we do in a small independent shop.

[@dancrovo9805]

I love your troubleshooting methods. The signal wire has continuity....that's where others may stop. You verify the wire can actually support a load. Nice work, no assumptions made.

[@jankejohansen]

love to see a good meckanick that knows what's he's doing

[@WBOS72]

Thanks a ton Eric - I love electronic diag vids , because I suck at it.

[@terryharvey8627]

See you are using the top side creeper. Wish I had it years ago. Beats balance act of knees on radiator support, one hand on fender or cowel, and one hand to work. Using both hands while supported over the car makes the job a lot easier. Love your vids keep up the good work.

[@baxrok2.]

It's PCM month at SMA. Very nice diag and explanation. Thanks Dr. O!

[@mattbickford2640]

15:04 Eric, that is the most beautiful way of hearing how the ignition coil/spark plug works lolz, thanks for the great content!

[@mikestanovich1414]

Although I hung up my torque wrench a few years back, I really enjoy these videos. My 2001 Dodge Van had same issue. I came back fro an overseas trip and no engine start. A rodent had chewed through the crankshaft sensor cable.

[@Stephenm64]

As a few others already commented, those hoodie strings dangling over the alternator gave me anxiety. Lol

[@opl500]

Safety third

[@Bluephrog]

Eric, to prove the Ecm you should see the wire going to the Ecm go to ground when the Ecm fires the plug. Using a test point at the Ecm should prove ecm is not pulling to ground or only partly low, not enough to fire the plug. Another great video! Thanks!

[@Darryl603]

Opened up a Northstar engine and a rodent made his home under the intake! His bedroom was on the left side of the valley and his bathroom on the right! WOW! Couldn't believe it. I was in there replacing the plenum boot that was giving a lean bank 1&2 code. It cleared on it's own after 10-20 miles down the road...Funny thing is, the rodent problem had no relation to the DTC...

[@throttlebottle5906]

a BIG thing to note, the OEM plugs in all of them were NGK "copper nickel" and need changed every 30K miles. it's likely way overdue, unless someone changed them to the iridiums.

[@raybrensike42]

For smaller rodents, I tie dryer sheets to whatever is on the motor. Apparently they don't like the smell any better than the rest of us. I like to do this in the fall.

[@Paul1958R]

Eric, Thanks for another great video and diagnosis! Its interesting that the ECM doesnt have some kind of internal current limiting device to keep it from failing in just that manner. Im looking forward to the follow up. SMA#1 God bless Paul

[@jasonballi6978]

Wow! Your customers engine bays are fifthly and messy. Eric your an master mechanic and a man not afraid of getting dirty. RIP WOODCHUCK

[@allanmoulton3745]

As you were leaning in over that Dodge to connect to the ignition coil, the strings of your hoody were very close to the spinning alternator pulley

[@Kimdino1]

These diagnostic information system built into cars are great, but they seem to be missing one feature that could add greater reliability. A few IR sensors under the bonnet (hood) that looks for a small heat source moving randomly about in the engine bay when the car is parked. Perhaps even, on detection, have it trigger a loud sound to scare the little buffer off.

[@nickmayo2974]

It's cool to see the diagnostic methods of other professionals. And I get a taste of what it's like to see troubleshooting without factory diagnostic equipment like at the Acura dealer I work at. Also, I see what it's like to deal with rust. Us California techs are spoiled haha. Did you ever go to school to do what you do or is it all learned from the university of hard knocks? Cool content man!

[@Blazer02LS]

Only one problem, Hoodie strings dangling wear moving parts....

[@Eagles-pq9hx]

I was looking at the same thing

[@rick_.]

I was cringing too even though I knew nothing was going to happen (the video IS posted, so we know Eric didn't do a forced face-plant into the engine). Eric: remove the strings from all your hoodies!

[@jimmydean8007]

Yeah... at 12:46 I thought the same. Safety 3rd until you faceplant into a running engine or worse. Be safer Eric... we all care for you.

[@real_arbuckle]

It's a perfectly acceptable habit so long as you keep the camera rolling. Viral videos often require a little pain. :~D

[@robertevans6481]

Yea 2 or 3 times...Mr O please be careful with this...

[@gearheadautomotivel.l.c.5476]

I see you've been using the Vantage Pro in videos again. Do you have more than one or did Snap On fix your blue screen issue? What was the trouble? Great video as per usual. I got a good chuckle out of the "wiring repair" remark.

[@elcheapo5302]

When you're having a bad day, be happy you're not the woodchuck.

[@johnmckamy6398]

How sweet is this ? receiving a SMA video on a Sunday night

[@real_arbuckle]

These seemingly impossible electrical problems are my favorite. Thanks for turning a curious and frustrated customer into an empowered and responsible owner. Does it bother you when customers ask for a diagnosis without the satisfaction of repair?

[@zeropointzero]

Eric, I couldn't stop laughing at 06:32 because I've tested shit and made polarity mistakes many times. Double-checking due to illlogical outcome is necessary. Also at 15:50 - every tech despises Chrysler's red tabs. Gotta have thick finger skin, lol! Had a '02 Ram with cyl 5 driver wiped out due to a melted/split coil. Never misfired because older HEMI has "spaghetti ignition", ie wires that run to mating cyl's. I used a noid lite to verify coil not firing, tested power, ohmed control wire back to ecm, and finally backprobed control at ecm with test light to find dim light on 5. Backprobed cyl 3 to compare, which had bright light. Installed used ECM, reflashed, and was good to go.

[@mikefedele4521]

Lot of dodge ecm issues lately. I went through a string of dodge tcm a while ago it seemed everyone that had a p0700 had a rotten case... Them and Nissan muranos. Great video

[@ToXSicK1340]

Thanks for the Video Eric! In Your Defense, not that you need one..... But just glancing at that battery, I would have assumed the Ground was positive as well with that little red wire wrapped around it. Kind of a screwy mind game. lol

[@jerrynick9605]

Please be careful when you are near the cooling fan, your hood draw strings were pretty close to the fan.

[@twiz8789]

I do my share of diagnostics and can hold my own, but Eric you truly are a master.I Find myself trying to talk to ya like a fricky doo lol. Grandma did good with you learnin her tricks and tips. I remember back in the day it seemed the mice really loved the Caddys, at my buddy's junkyard they would chew up the GMs, especially the Caddys. A Ferd could be right next to it and be untouched. My 1975 Heep CJ5 was a target once of Mickey and his chewing buddies. Started spraying PB Blaster all under the dash and wires etc they leave it alone. I would also apply the PB a few times to keep the Natives away (wasps, Hornets) in areas they like to set up roost

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

As your SMA hoodie tie cord gets wrapped up on a pulley or belt, drawing you down, smashing your face against the engine. AKA "No neckties on the Shop floor".

[@CarlosRodriguez-hb3vq]

Someone should create an interactive wiring diagram where you can touch any component or wire on the screen and it highlights it and it’s connections. Would make it a lot easier to read and trace circuits.

[@musicalgreasemonkey]

Loving the weekend postings Eric!

[@smijas]

Hey Eric, Vanessa and your kids love you just the way you are; and so do I! Be carefull with those cords around your neck!

[@franknewling1139]

Dodge 3500 + field mouse building a nest in the hood insulation + 1,500 watt ham gear, keyed down = stinkey, thoroughly fried field mouse❗ Also, a lot of liquid tape. Only three wires needed short replacements and soldering. Seems like they like the insulation. Bit through the wrong wire. Over 200 amps draw @ full output. ♨

[@mickmclovin3020]

Mr. O you got 2 strings hanging off your hoodie that could bite ya !! I heard truck running and watched you multiple time dangle the "bait" in and around that engine.... Just want you to keep making these great videos and not get hurt man!!

[@mrb1864]

think if I was other garage I done a little temporary pinch of elec tape on those twisted wires, makes me wonder if it the woodchuck or garage that spiked the pcm. You approached it logically and calmly as always, the test light blip shows your humanity and honesty lol :-) I hate have call ecu's, programming hassles then the classic butt clench on first start . Shame scan tool can't do all the module handshake as makes the pcm programming kind of useless if still need get subscription finish the job . Really hate the muddle that is automotive module programming. should be way more easy/intuitive .

[@byronrogers4489]

Critters love fuel lines. Had me running around like Bill Murray in Caddyshack!!

[@eddiereichel9354]

Its amazing how far down a rabbit hole us as mechanics will go with a false understanding that the other end of the scope on a rope is in the right spot. Then the moment of realization that occurs when you realize your powered and not grounded.

[@mattmccoy2410]

Them hoodie strings added some real suspense.

[@LaggyWizard]

i know its a pain in the bum. but at what level of rodent mass destruction would you consider replacing the entire engine harness? assuming you could seperate the engine harness from the body harness. ( like for vehicles that have connectors near the firewall) edit: should have watched the whole video first... there was a dead cylinder issue... got it. not jist wiring. keep up the great wprk bud. really enjoy the vids

[@arc00ta]

Watching SMA with my nice new hoodie from the web store on. Feels good man.

[@williegillie5712]

Them critters can be downright destructive. I can remember one time my sister and he best friend were TPeeing boy friends places with me in the back seat all young and innocent. After they finished their twelfth roll they started heading for home. All of a sudden a critter with a black stripe down his back ran out and got hit and sucked up into the fan and all over the engine. It only took a few seconds and we knew we had to get outta there and walk home. Served her right being so mischievous. Gotta love them critters

[@AlbertaPatriot1985]

Glad I’m not the only one who was afraid Eric was gonna become one with the hemi. For the love of god, SAFETY THIRD ERIC, NO LOOSE CLOTHING, NECKTIES OR HOODIE STRINGS!!!

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

Our safety director had a picture of a guy who got his hood caught in some belts and it strangled him while he was working alone. We couldn't have hoods unless they were attached with velcro and had velcro closures. He went through the facility with scissors cutting off hoods and hood draw strings if they wanted to wear the hood after it was cut off the shirt.

[@jonmatney9584]

Eric could you have did a resistance check to check for continuity in the wiring instead of supplying power to it?

[@makerofthenorth8948]

I had a tundra last year that had sat for a while. Turns out some squirls made a home chewed both engine harness and body in engine bay. Half of headlight. Started digging deeper. Found a nest of 3 baby squirls. Had call the animal hospital to come get em they were like week old.

[@solomonkinziehawver6624]

That wiring.....I almost stopped watching, so sad. Glad you got ahold of it for them!

[@SuperDave21]

Hey Brah, I was like watching your hoodie string almost getting into the alternator pulley Brah, that would have been like, gnarly dude....!

[@freetolook3727]

I've heard of cats getting thrashed because they were hanging out in the warm engine compartment when someone went to start the car and mouse/squirrel damage but never woodchucks, that's a new one. They don't seem like climbers to me.

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Eric. Appreciate you very much. Have a good week.

[@throttlebottle5906]

in this video, Eric shows us how to not use a test light :)) it was funny when I heard the relay power off and seen it light, I instantly thought battery positive not negative. could be like me, jump around with meter testing current draw, forget to move jumper lead/selector back and stab it across battery terminals or into live panel (mushroom cloud erupts) new meter time, pretty dumb for a fella that's used(killed) meters since childhood, of course digital ones were rare due to cost.

[@8power0]

Thanks for another great video on a slow content day looking forward to the follow up video and thanks again .

[@corvettebob96]

Interesting hearing you are think out loud. Sounds genius! I did catch the vice grip to ground reminder. I do enjoy watching you trouble shoot money light issues. First time I have seen a top side creeper. Be safe.

[@deepbludude4697]

Just got a 97 F350 4x4 7.3PSD ambu running, upper harness fuel lines gnawed thru shes running good now.

[@donaldolson8962]

Really enjoy your stuff, wondered if you play hangman, don't want your hoodie cords interrupting your day, saw them dangling when the big Mopar was running, be safe.

[@paulmartin5787]

Never seen a Topside Creeper before, looks handy.

[@ToAstYNaChO]

Had the exact same issue on my 2003 with the first gen hemi, got a Reman ECU, fixed er up.

[@atrahasis3899]

Smooshed Woodchuck is an Indie band.

[@wyattoneable]

A bit of trivia...when a doctor makes a mistake they don't say "oops". They say "There". True fact (from an Army doctor). I have to admit, these lessons on circuits and wiring diagrams are my favorite. I'm still waiting on my buddy to bring is 2006 Dodge here for some troubleshooting. I'm looking forward to some hands on learning. I'm on the the next (follow up) video.

[@clevelandmaker386]

thank you for your service and good luck on your Dodge!

[@15743_Hertz]

If I might add to your trivia when a tech makes a mistake, they usually emit a loud expletive that starts with "F". I'm a retired AF telecom craftsman and I love how Eric goes through the troubleshooting steps and you're left with a concrete conclusion. He makes a long chain of variables look easy.

[@Papi4l2]

I feel like doctors get more slack with diagnosis than mechanics...by a large margin lol

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

I swear, I didn't know thr Commander existed until I saw that video. I always thought it was a late 90s early 00 Cherokee from afar. I am such a bonehead! I'd love to find a 5.7 in great shape in the future.

[@B.E.Long.63]

You the only guy in the neighborhood that can diagnose electrical issues??? If so raise your prices ..lol... Thanks Eric and camera...

[@rrmech11]

Nice diagnosis 🖒

[@lonwillis783]

Yep them. Woodchucks caused damaged to my house now you feel my pain LOL GOOD JOB!

[@bookerol]

Initially, with your test light connected to the positive battery terminal, you had no light on both coil wires. When you switched the light to the negative terminal, you had power on both coil wires. I would have assumed that the driver in the ECM was shorted to power, most likely because woodchuck buddy had shorted the wires together. Would have seemed to be some short-circuit protection built into the ECM, but who knows...

[@wysetech2000]

Nice job, Eric.

[@nodrog639]

You should tie your hoodie strings, they look like they were very close to getting caught in the alternator pulley. Great videos

[@marcinmorris]

I hope guys from the other shop were wathing that :) Good job Eric O. BTW: Swaptronics is best method ever :)

[@garysetter5328]

Hey Eric, watch out for those draw strings hanging over the spinning belt!

[@JK-rv9tp]

Are insulation resistance checks (megger checks) ever done in auto electrical troubleshooting? You put a couple hundred volts in the circuit at low amps (disconnected from the component) using a megohmmeter and measure resistance to detect insulation breakdown or other sources of current leakage in a harness. Maybe not necessary on 12v systems?

[@stephendee7839]

At 11:39 , I desperately want to grab the laces from your hood and move them away from the fanbelt. Glad you didn't get bitten by that.

[@pb981]

Hoodie lace, too near the strap.,nice investigation

[@jdpower5552]

It seems like other shops ask Mr O for help quite a bit, it seems odd to me another shop would ask for help but perhaps that is more common than I think.

[@nghermit4922]

At least the woodchuck got chucked as well.

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

Great Job Eric

[@62ejo]

Thxs Eric great lesson has always,hope too see the fix...

[@andyburk4825]

Modern engineering where the engine is up under the windshield and cowl - cool.

[@kman-mi7su]

Rodent damage a field mouse to be exact did the same to my 2000 Dodge ram, but my neighbor across the street fared worse with his Chevy silverado, the rodents built a nest in his firewall and caused the heater box to catch fire.

[@matthewmiller6068]

have to admit I'm only part way into this but I hope the plug was checked or changed too that after a mountain of chasing it wasn't just a bum plug

[@scuba422123]

good vid eric but dude pull out the strings! I love that top creeper

[@bryantoth5249]

Hey Eric, those hoodie strings hanging near the serp belt have me nervous for you.

[@Joe_HamRadioGuy]

Made me nervous as well seeing them hoodie strings dangling over a running engine.

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Poor Woodchuck :( Great job though Eric!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That topside creeper is nice Eric O

[@opl500]

Pretty much need one on a full size truck. Wonder where he got it

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@opl500 I wonder were her got it also

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@help137 cool

[@slimeslimgamerz3043]

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE VIDIOS, HOW DO YOU LIKE THE EVOLVE? LOOKING AT TRYING ONE

[@paulb5284]

Those hoody strings near the surpentine belts, man I thought you were going to do a face plant into the engine.

[@kellyt5056]

Here in the south we call them groundhogs

[@williamsquires3070]

Har, just because the ECM is conveniently located, does NOT mean it’s conveniently removable (or that the connectors are)! Darn woodchuck’s will get you every time! 😉

[@nbrowser]

Geez Louise...even in my shop that much damage would simply be a harness replacement. Much more reliable repair in this case...

[@buffsheeri]

Q:You said another shop brought this to you...how does the customer get charged for this? Do you charge the shop or the owner of the vehicle? Thanks for the answer in advance.

[@lylecheckeye6300]

Hello Eric O, could you have used the vantage to back probe the wire controlling the #7 coil and see what the duty cycle would be there by seeing if the ECM had control of it. No duty cycle would mean no control ? What do you thing. I love when you get the Ram trucks in :0

[@daveg8119]

What brand is that underhood light that's shown at roughly 20:11? The one handing from the hood. I know Eric seems to like Astro Pneumatic but I couldn't seem to find that on their site.

[@-BuddyGuy]

Pro tip: Peanut butter smeared in your airbox (behind the filter) will attract mice away from your wires, to get safely combusted in the engine. For bigger stuff like woodchucks and cats smear peanut butter on your radiator fans. I haven't had an ignition system problem in years.

[@throttlebottle5906]

rat/mouse poison packs sprinkled around work great and solve the issue on a permanent basis ;0

[@wolfmanrebel874]

So as a preventave maintenance you...apply peanut butter... To your radiator? And air filter???....Il be damned

[@-BuddyGuy]

Not the radiator, that would foul the fins and reduce cooling efficiency. I said the fan.

[@wolfmanrebel874]

@@-BuddyGuy O, I see, I misread "radiator fins" , the fans are fine, that makes perfect since, see it all the time

[@-BuddyGuy]

@@wolfmanrebel874 Yeah it took a while to refine this method. Gravy flies off the fan and splatters the whole engine, and cheese sticks well but gets pretty stinky after a while and passengers complain. Smooth peanut butter is the perfect solution.

[@lowbuckpc2940]

I know your all about safety third, but did you see how close your hoodie strings were to the serpentine belt when you were reaching back to that coil at 10:50?

[@repeatman]

Had mice bite wires in my car. Took me 6hrs of tracing, crimping and taping/looming. The wires running to my shift solenoid were bitten off.

[@jayss10]

As a couple of posters have said, pull your hoodie strings off or tuck em in at least. We don't want to see you get caught up a belt or something.

[@trevormangus7832]

Just a few more inches and your loose strings would be fan food or at least alternator pulley food . Aka hoodie strings loose clothing and moving parts. Kids don’t do this at home. Safety third lol

[@codyrobert12]

Man I spit my coffee out laughing when you said the lady smushed the woodchuck. Classic!

[@thresh-]

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck before it falls out of a Dodge Ram 2500?