@Figor on my van, the people who did all the aftermarket wiring for the government tied into the fuse that feeds the speedometer and odometer. I shorted wires and tripped, and it took the same things as you mention, and my trans went to full line pressure when shifting. On my van, 1992, there is a 15 amp fuse serving it. Found the fuse, and the wire. Replaced the fuse and continued on my 2000-mile journey with everything working again. Oh it also killed my CC, which how can one live without CC on a long road trip
Regarding mice, are you in a place to leave your hoods open? That is best if you can. I do not have a garage and everything starts nesting come fall, and they (mice, chipmunks) love the residual heat of my diesels. I have had to rage war on them and I usually leave the hood open when I get home to cool it faster. And then have multiple flood lights lighting up the underneath of my vehicles and engine bay. (lights are very low wattage for lumen output these days) Traps sometimes work but it takes diligence, multiple traps, and tuning them to a true hair trigger!!
I would love outdoor cats, but then I attract mtn lions and bobcats. Last summer we had a mtn lion that would park itself on the neighbors deck and stare in through the window at the indoor house cat. Last winter about 2 in the morning I went out and grabbed firewood, looked up and across the dry creek was a mtn lion looking to make me a meal. That raised the hair on my neck. Not more than 30' away. I kept my light on him and slowly backed to the house.