I went to start my 2004 F150 (5.4 V8) today and had a charging system light (red battery) and a CEL. It started and ran ok. I popped the hood and found a mouse has chewed through two wires. I am looking for some assistance on finding the right replacement parts.

1) This wire comes from the battery positive terminal. The part that is chewed goes into a round connector and branches off to another wire. I have attached pictures of the connector and the location of the wire. I think it may be a starter wire? These are named Battery#
2) This wires goes into the engine into a round plastic piece. I think it may be a diverter valve? These are named Round#

I put some green electrical tape temporarily around the chewed areas for reference.

Battery





Round

 

That round one on the valve cover is the vct solenoid.

the other ones are harder to tell. I'll look under my hood at lunchtime.

 

Thank you!

There are about 5-6 connectors that look like they would work for this part. But when I search on the VCT Solenoid connector it looks totally different

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/pu...torcatalog.pdf

 

they may call it VVT in the catalog,

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Does that one look right?

 

Yep that one does look correct!

 

I would set a mouse trap under the hood to try to stop this. I had rats do this to my truck years back and it was a mess.

 

Yea got my mouse traps set, nothing so far. I have had the truck for 10 years and suddenly they decide its delicious?

 

I tried to look at my truck and see where those other wires go,. But like yours they are all wrapped up and I can't really tell where they go. One end trailed off under the battery so maybe it heads to the starter? and the other loom went down across the front of the engine but it looked like it went past the alternator and kept going... Sorry. Not much help I guess.

 

Thank you very much for looking! I cant really tell either. I think hopefully I can repair that one and not have to replace, it looks no fun at all. Appreciate the help!

 

I got the wires repaired but the battery is still not getting a charge and the battery light and check charging system message remain. Putting a multimeter on with the truck running I can see the amps slowly decreasing. I guess next step is to replace the alternator. If the battery is no good the alternator should still be increasing the amps correct?