Air Box/Filter Gauge

[basfire]

I have a 2004.5 3500 4x4. While elk hunting a week ago in Colorado the truck was parked for about a week at 10,300 ft. Got back to truck and it started fine. The check engine symbol stayed on so I knew it through a code. Drove down to the closest town, 6,200 ft, without any issues except for the glowing check engine symbol. Finally had time to pop the hood and noticed a little mouse scamper down and run into the street. Looked around for chewed wires, nest, etc. and found the filter unit popped out and fortunately laying where it did not disappear. Now any of you that have tried removing or installing one of these know how much of a wrestling match it could be so I doubt a little 2 oz. mouse can push that sucker out. I reinstalled and after a few starts and stops the check engine symbol went off. Any explanations on how that filter can pop out would be appreciated.

 

[Killgore]

Mighty Mouse, I presume!

 

[jhenderson]

I lost mine once. I assumed it was me poking around under the hood that knocked it loose. I replaced the grommet along with the gauge.

 

[cerberusiam]

Mighty Mouse, I presume!

Yep, that sucker is on steroids. If you had by chance caught him he would have whipped your butt but good.

Ypu probably bumped it one and knocked it part way out. The vibration did the rest.

 

[Tuesdak]

Pull codes and see what the ECM caught. Then trace the wiring and find where the mouse likely ate the wires. Usually in the hardest to find spot. Their pee is corrosive and their dropping have some interesting viruses. Wear goggles and a mask when you hose out the engine compartment "soon" to get the pee off everything. They chew completely through the entire harness out here and then the coyotes literally chew the fenders off trying to get to the mice. Insurance co calls it vandalism.

Your engine light may have detected the mouse :-laf and wanted to prevent damage. I doubt it as you likely will find some of your wires chewed on.