'17 BigHorn QC with only 500 miles, water leak!

[chrisbh17]

Just noticed the drivers side rear corner of my headliner is damp. We had a TON of rain here last night, but IMHO its unacceptable for it to leak. My truck will be sitting outside 24/7 for most of it's life so it needs to get fixed.

I see the 3rd brake light is a common one, but was wondering if anyone has any other suggestions. Most of the posts I saw for water leaks were NOT for 2017 models, was hoping they were solved but maybe not?

I already reached out the dealer but they said they are booked until next Monday....I might call back and make a stink tomorrow to try and get an earlier appointment since there is more rain in the forecast.

Any other advice would be helpful!

Thanks.

-Chris

 

[Thunderbucket]

Sirius antenna?


If you can't dodge it... RAM it!

 

[chrisbh17]

Yeah, was thinking that could be it too, but I figured there would be more than just one small spot in the back corner....maybe more dampness "in the field" of the headliner?

(you stole my sig )

 

[chrisbh17]

And a pic:

 

[Hemi395]

Most likely the third brake light is leaking. Very common in the 4th gens. I'd be bringing that to the dealer and demanding a new headliner

 

[chrisbh17]

Yeah I gotta wait a week, unless I fire into them tomorrow and get an earlier appointment.

Hopefully they are receptive to a new headliner....I trust dealers about as far as I can throw their building, would prefer if they could somehow wave a wand to replace the headliner rather than actually touch my truck!

 

[Hemi395]

Yeah I gotta wait a week, unless I fire into them tomorrow and get an earlier appointment.

Hopefully they are receptive to a new headliner....I trust dealers about as far as I can throw their building, would prefer if they could somehow wave a wand to replace the headliner rather than actually touch my truck!

Yeah I hear you. I hate when they touch my truck for anything especially Warranty work...

 

[chrisbh17]

Kinda sorta calming down about it but still not happy.

Hoping I can at least show it to them in person tomorrow....if I wait until Monday Im guessing it will be bone dry. At best they would look for the leak, but I bet with no proof of anything on the headliner (except for my picture) they would just deny a new one saying its not a problem.

 

[VB712]

My 14 was wet in the same spot. 3rd brake light reseal and been dry ever since.

 

[chrisbh17]

Thanks...just starting to find posts where it says the 3rd brake light leak showed in the same spots. Really wasnt sure how the water gets to just the corner(s), but that seems to be the case.

Im confident it can be fixed, now I just need the dealer to agree to a new headliner! And then hope they dont do more damage than good. And while they're at it maybe they can make sure the sharkfin isnt leaking!

 

[chrism1367]

I'd wait the week for the appt and spray a hose all over the brake light to get it wetter before so it will stain and then you have a better case for replacing the headliner

 

[chrisbh17]

I'd wait the week for the appt and spray a hose all over the brake light to get it wetter before so it will stain and then you have a better case for replacing the headliner

Or an even-more-stained headliner from a dealer being a ****?

 

[HemiStarPower]

You would think by now Chrysler would have updated the third brake light to combat this leak. It’s not on every truck but it’s common.


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[raksasa]

When people say they resealed the light what exactly do they mean? Silicone, new gasket, new light?? I ask because I have the issue too.

 

[Ramm5.7]

I have a 17 and installed tinted 3rd brake. After seeing these threads i went to home desperate and got 5/16,( i think) self sticking rubber gasket material. cut the old one off with utility blade, cleaned surface real good and installed new rubber to light.
In installing light originally i noticed there is a slight concave to the roofline so the middle part of light is farther away than outside edges where screws are. This needs to be sealed correctly

 

[chrisbh17]

I have a 17 and installed tinted 3rd brake. After seeing these threads i went to home desperate and got 5/16,( i think) self sticking rubber gasket material. cut the old one off with utility blade, cleaned surface real good and installed new rubber to light.
In installing light originally i noticed there is a slight concave to the roofline so the middle part of light is farther away than outside edges where screws are. This needs to be sealed correctly

I noticed the same thing when I checked before letting the dealer fix mine.

The real issue seems to be that the screws bottom out on something before you can tighten them enough to compress the gasket evenly.

I could get the right side pretty well compressed but for some reason the left side not so much. And if course the left side is the one that leaked.

I'd be curious if shortening the screws would prevent them from bottoming out before tightening enough to compress the gasket

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[patchelect]

When people say they resealed the light what exactly do they mean? Silicone, new gasket, new light?? I ask because I have the issue too.

I have had a third light leak on several vehicles over the years. I just use silicone to reseal it. Take the light out, clean up the old gasket, put a bead of silicone on the light where it meets the vehicle, and reinstall. The original gaskets are a very light cork material that dries out and leaks. It's used simply to keep the total weight of the vehicle down for NHSTA and CAFE reasons. Some leak sooner than others but it seems that they ALL will leak eventually, Ford, Chevy, RAM, Nissan, et al.

 

[jaked1500]

I know the third light leak is a real thing but on my 11 last year I sealed the light and still had leaking. Took a second look at everything and found a gap in the top corners of the back window, big enough to stick my pinky finger in. The rubber weather stripping shrunk with the heat and separated from the window. Put some silicone and haven’t had a leak since. Just something to keep an eye on/check.


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