Rodent entry into HVAC?

[slicktree]

This question is not real technical, but one that is forcing me to learn more about the Air intake for the HVAC system.
I have a 98 LTZ(3.8) & my wife has a 96 std lumina(3.1). We both have had confirmed mouse entry into the passenger compartment in the winter months. I want to fix this now while the weather is decent (North Dakota). There is plenty of room for them(damn mice) to sneak in by the wiper arm pass-through. From there they can easily get to the blower motor fan (the squirrel cage). I confirmed that my recirc door operates correctly, but it will not stay in recirc (door closed) with engine off(vacuum motor). I cannot see or feel any open areas in the HVAC air inlet/fan area, but it is difficult to access. Has anyone had their dash apart in this area? Is there a hole that a criitter could enter through?
If so, I can easily eliminate this entry point by installing a coarse screen over the air inlet, but I would like some confidence/confirmation that this is the rodent entry/exit point. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

FYI, both cars are in great shape(no rust holes or accident that left holes in the body. Also, there are no firewall passthoughs large enough for a rodent (that I could find). Also, these cars are stock, no wiring for amps or other accessories. Thanks for any ideas.

[jeffcoslacker]

Good question, I don't know the answer, though. Mice are amazing in their ability to pass through tight places, though. They can flatten their bodies so much, at one time people thought they didn't have bones....I've seen them run through a nicely fitting seal on the bottom of a garage door like it wasn't even there.

[jamesmetairie]

Originally Posted by slicktree

This question is not real technical, but one that is forcing me to learn more about the Air intake for the HVAC system.
I have a 98 LTZ(3.8) & my wife has a 96 std lumina(3.1). We both have had confirmed mouse entry into the passenger compartment in the winter months. I want to fix this now while the weather is decent (North Dakota). There is plenty of room for them(damn mice) to sneak in by the wiper arm pass-through. From there they can easily get to the blower motor fan (the squirrel cage). I confirmed that my recirc door operates correctly, but it will not stay in recirc (door closed) with engine off(vacuum motor). I cannot see or feel any open areas in the HVAC air inlet/fan area, but it is difficult to access. Has anyone had their dash apart in this area? Is there a hole that a criitter could enter through?
If so, I can easily eliminate this entry point by installing a coarse screen over the air inlet, but I would like some confidence/confirmation that this is the rodent entry/exit point. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated
FYI, both cars are in great shape(no rust holes or accident that left holes in the body. Also, there are no firewall passthoughs large enough for a rodent (that I could find). Also, these cars are stock, no wiring for amps or other accessories. Thanks for any ideas.

i thought mice were in my attic and i studied the subject. the story goes that mice are dragging piss all along their tracks.so it is recomended to get up in the attic in the dark with an ultraviolet light(black light). the light will show their favorite trail. then you can figure out how you,re gonna kill them. later on if you want to know if they,re still around my pest control guy says place a piece of a snickers bar here and there.

[slicktree]

I appreciate the input, but I want to simplify my question: Has anyone replaced their blower motor, heater core, or A/C evaporator coil assembl?. Did you notice any opening larger than 3/8"-1/2" that a rodent could squeeze into (Blower housing area)? Thanks

[radioman2002]

Most of the time they come in throigh the AC drain, it's about 1/2 to 3/4 in in diameter. I actually lost a very nice Crown Victoria to mice. After the car had sat for the summer, I started it up to test for the next winter use, and after about 20 min the blower motor, caught fire and burned the whole passenger side of the car. The mice had filled up the entire blower box with all kinds of junk, causing the blower motor to be frozen, overheating the blower power wires causing the fire. My son had problems with them too. They had filled his air intake box with junk, and the car didn't run right, he opened the air box and behold an entire family.