Something to chew on...

Okay, a few months back - after a weekend with the Boy Scouts, my Dodge Van started running rough. I popped the cover to check the plug wires - and found that a mouse had built a nest on top of the block. I removed the nest to prevent a fire from starting. At the bottom, I found the varmint had chewed the insulation off of some wires. I finally picked up a code reader and found that the #6 injector had an open circuit. Sure enough, the chewed wires were for #6. Taping them didn't help. I wondered if there wasn't enough current - since some of the strands were broken. I didn't have a proper volt/ohm meter, but I hooked up a battery tester to a working injector - and got a steady signal. Number 6 showed no signal. I traced the wires back as far as I could - and they appear to be intact. I tested for current 'upstream' from the chewed part - and still no current.

Is there some fuse in the wiring that could have popped when the mouse shorted the wires? Do I need to replace the entire harness? Is there something else I can check? It's possible the injector is froze up by now - but I need to get current to it first.

I'm getting by on seven for now - but I'm getting sick of looking at the CHeck Engine light. :-/

Determined in Detroit

Since it takes a computer to check a computer(van), the number six injector might be shorted? Wonder if the computer is internally protected when a wire is shorted? Our local auto parts store rep told me that he has no method of checking vehicle computers, however, the people that re-manufacturer vehicle computers can check the computers. Wish I knew their location to have my computer checked? I wish I knew more to say to help your situation?

I would check for voltage right at the computer, I can't tell you what pin # it is as I don't have that manual, but you may find it at the back of a haynes manual. I would also unplug it from the injector and see if you get a signal then, maybe the injector is shorting it out.

Trying to help in Windsor, Ont.

Thanks. I did check it while disconnected from the injector - and every other way I could think of. A neighbor mechanic says it's a direct wire back to the computer - so maybe the computer circuit for #6 got fried. No detailed wiring in the Haynes manual. I don't mind shelling out the dough for the computer - but I need to make sure I'm replacing the correct part.

it is a dirrect wire, if you can follow it and can't see anything disturbed, it probably did damage the computer, at least they are about $200 exchange , not like some of them @ $500 + . They do rebuild them also.