Water in the map light

[SubaruGal]

Hello.

 

I am new to this group - I joined while researching a P1507 check engine error on my mother's '97 Legacy Outback. But, today, had a problem of my own and thought i'd see if ya'll had any advice.

 

When I was on my way to work this morning in my '97 Legacy GT, I noticed a few drips of water coming from the map light casing - it had some condensation on the inside. I didn't think too much of it - i figured I hadn't closed the moon roof (or is it a sunroof- someone explain the difference?) all the way the day before. After a full day of rain, on my way home water began dripping rather rapidly from the housing - when I looked up it was full of water. I opened the moon roof and it was all dry around the edges, i couldn't see where the water would be coming into the car. Help? Is this gonna be a bad, expensive thing? I just bought the car a couple weeks ago!

[CROSSTBOLT]

I think your windshield is leaking top center.

[Setright]

My sunroof leaked!

 

The rails that allow the roof to slide are packed with a liquid gasket before they are screwed down. You need to replace this stuff. Open the roof all the way and the nuts that hold the rails down should be visible.

 

Even if all the drains are clear some water will run under the rails and into the cabin - took me ages to work out what was happening, so I hope this saves you some time!!

[avk]

To isolate the cause, you can temporarily seal the top of the windshield with tape. The map light bracket is welded to the header rail, so the water might get into the light if the top edge is leaking. Is the windshield original?

[SubaruGal]

The windshield was replaced November of 2000, based on reciepts I found in the car when I bought it.

 

I will try taping the windshield and see if it still leaks. If it still leaks, i'll try the liquid gasket on the rails.

 

Thank you - you've given me 2 plans of attack!! I appreciate the advice!

 

This is a great group - i've learned so much the last couple days reading through the many posts!

[avk]

Replacement windshields usually carry a lifetime warranty against installation defects. Maybe it's only to the original customer ("as long as you own the vehicle"), but since you have the receipt, at least inquire about it.

[Sydfloyd44]

Sounds to me like the w/s might be the culprit and yes, avk is right, the warranty is for "as long as you own the vehicle". It is a standard in our industry. Sunroof is not out of the question either!

Here is what you do to test the windshield. Close up the car, grab a water hose (NO high pressure car wash, just a garden hose!). Start spraying full stream at the top of the windshield. Spray at the top molding going up the windshield and then down the molding on the body side. If you see water coming in stop!!! If not, spray for about 1 or 2 minutes each way. Then get in the passenger side (easier with the steering wheel). Now, you are going to be sitting basically backwards in the pass seat. The top of your head should be against the inside of the windshield. Look up to the top, you may need to pull the headliner down slightly to see the black (urethane) adhesive in between the glass (top) and the pinchweld (metal at bottom) Any water in there means it is your windshield. *** You also want to look there for any rust!!! If you see any, STOP AND TAKE IT TO AN AUTO GLASS COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST!!!!! (send me an e-mail also)*** The top center is where most techs "join" the urethane. (shoot 1/2 of top from dr. side, then the other 1/2 of top from pass. side, then mend the 2 together) If it is not mended, can be cause for leak.

Check this out and post back or e-mail me. I will get you in the right direction to fix it!

Good Luck!!

P.S. You are better off taping the sunroof off than the w/s to test first. Because of the odd shapes of the moldings, it is hard to tape them off properly to ensure an accurate test. the sunroof has cleaner lines than the w/s moldings. Make sure you use NON-POROUS tape!!! (duct tape IS porous) We use electrical tape exclusively.