Water leaked (I know...) now needs to be jumped to start (2018 1500 Harvest Edition)

[Rick Dickens]

I searched a lot so sorry if this is answered anywhere and I just couldn't find it.

I have a leak. It rained a lot, there was a bunch of water dripping from the driver side rear of the headliner, I'm pretty sure it's the sharkfin antenna. I put blue painters tape over it and the leak stopped even though it was still raining. I'm going to silicone that and I ordered a new gasket for the rear 3rd light too just to be safe.

Here's the problem, it's been warm and sunny the past day or so, things are mostly dry, when I start the truck it won't start, and the light on dashboard is the one for the factory bed lights. If I push the bed light button that light goes away but still the truck won't start. I put a portable jumper on it and it starts. It drives fine. If I drive it for even a few minutes, then shut it off, it will start. If it sits (like overnight), it won't start and again the light on the dash for the bed lights is on. The battery's not all the way dead or the doors wouldn't unlock, etc. and then again I throw the jumper on and it starts right up and runs fine (although the bed lights light is on until I shut it off).

I'm wondering if there's something that's still wet or now damaged that's completing the circuit for the bed lights and draining the battery overnight? The bedlights don't come on so it's not actually turning them on. Is there a circuit breaker I could pull just for the bed lights to see if that solves the issue (at least temporarily)? Has anybody experienced this where they get water under the rear seats, and then the truck won't start without a jump but then runs fine, charges the battery, but then overnight same problem next day?

Thanks!

 

[Dredger]

I put a portable jumper on it and it starts. The battery's not all the way dead or the doors wouldn't unlock, etc. and then again I throw the jumper on and it starts right up and runs fine (although the bed lights light is on until I shut it off).

Thanks!

The battery doesn't need to be all the way dead to cause you problems. If it starts with a jump, check the battery.

 

[Daw14]

The body control module is mounted on the rear cab wall , water can leak down on it ,which can cause electrical problems. First have your battery load tested to be sure it’s not the cause .

 

[Rick Dickens]

I have the well-known water leak on my 2018 1500 Harvest. The dealer says they need to replace the 3rd brake light, re-seal the fin antenna, and replace the entire back window because it is cracked along the bottom. They said there is an extension of warranty for this issue but when he called my truck was not covered, he doesn't know how some are not covered and recommended I reach out to @RamCares. I tried PM'ing but the 420 character limit did me in.

Thanks!

 

[Rick Dickens]

I replaced the battery, obviously you were right and that was a coincidence, so that's solved. I took it out, ran over to local auto parts store and put the replacement in easy peasy.

As for the leak, I took it to the dealer. They replaced the 3rd tail-light assembly, and tightened the sharkfin antenna, but said I needed a new rear window. They couldn't get the parts for over a week, wanted $1000 for it, and then they would have to send it out for installation at additional cost, so I paid them about $400 for the tail-light and their efforts on the sharkfin, and then went to Safelite who was able to put in a brand new 3-piece window (center slider with defroster) the next morning for $800 installed. @RamCares did respond to my private messages but by then, since I had already had Safelite do the window, they felt they couldn't really help, even though I really had no choice but to do that, or pay double and let the truck get wetter. Also a 6 year old truck just shouldn't leak. I know people with cars from the 70's that have their original windows, and there is a service bulletin.

Here's the problem, it still leaks. Not as bad. It rained on and off for a few days, and there was a bit of moisture underneath the passenger rear seat behind the subwoofer.

What's left to fix to stop the leaking? I don't even know where to look and I'm probably not somebody who could remove the rear seats...

Thanks!

 

[Daw14]

Third brake lights from factory leak often, even new . store weather strip , Home Depot has for about $10 cut to fit , enough for a few. Also inspect your cabin vents on the rear cab wall , there’s two that tend to leak after a few years. Pretty easy to swap for new ,about ten bucks each.

 

[CanRebel]

Your truck should have those vents under the back window. I would check if they are blocked or if it's leaking around there.
They are behind the rear seats.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Your truck should have those vents under the back window. I would check if they are blocked or if it's leaking around there.
They are behind the rear seats

X2 on the Cab Vents, replace and make sure you put a thin bead of silicone on the 4 sides, they've been known to leak there and get the floor wet in rear of driver's side seat area.