Leaking, Rear Window or Third brake light

[JCasper]

So I have been chasing down a leak and I need to get to the bottom of it. Originally I thought it was the slider. It was leaking at the bottom corners. I filled the gap between the seals with some clear RTV and it is no longer leaking there. I am still getting water on the back of the seat though.



I have heard that the third brake lights have had problems. I took it off and the seal seems to be in good shape so I reinstalled it. Now it is raining here again and I am still having problems.



What I am thinking now. Is the problem with the third brake light not the seal, but between the two pieces of plastic. The water could be getting between the lens and the back of the light and leaking in that way.



I am hoping that someone who has had this problem can confirm my troubleshooting here before I go and by a new third brake light.

 

[brista]

I'll be following this thread too as I have the same issue.

 

[ENafziger]

This has happened to me too, but only on occasion. When it does, it sounds like a mini-waterfall, with water literally gushing in... like it had built up a couple quarts somewhere, and then when the truck starts moving, it all pours in. Funny thing is it doesn't happen often enough for me to track it down.



I took mine into the dealer 4 weeks after buying the truck, and they supposedly "rtv'd" the 3rd brake light; however, it has happened a couple times since then as well. I'd like to figure out the problem as well. I also have the sliding rear window and sunroof...

 

[JCasper]

O.K. Craftsmanship on these Dodges Sucks

Maybe the fix dodge will come up with is to drill some holes in the floor and let it drain out. :-laf

 

[CDegner]

Had to take my '06 back to the dealer after the first rain. Turns out it was leaking at the top of the slider. The dealer wanted to order a new window and seal but Dodge would have nothing of that. The "official" Dodge (the problem) fix was a tube of RTV smeared across the top fo the seal. At least the replaced the neat cover that was stainded in the process.



Carl

 

[raksasa]

So I have been chasing down a leak and I need to get to the bottom of it. Originally I thought it was the slider. It was leaking at the bottom corners. I filled the gap between the seals with some clear RTV and it is no longer leaking there. I am still getting water on the back of the seat though.



I have heard that the third brake lights have had problems. I took it off and the seal seems to be in good shape so I reinstalled it. Now it is raining here again and I am still having problems.



What I am thinking now. Is the problem with the third brake light not the seal, but between the two pieces of plastic. The water could be getting between the lens and the back of the light and leaking in that way.



I am hoping that someone who has had this problem can confirm my troubleshooting here before I go and by a new third brake light.

My 2006 2500 is at Ron Tonkin Dodge in Gladstone, OR with the same problem. Service department called me this evening and said they wanted to order a new rear window, but dodge insisted they try a new seal first. They will reseal it tomorrow and put it to the test. I had about an inch of water under the driver's side rear seat in the underseat storage compartment. I keep my tie-downs in that compartment and was fortunate enough to have to haul something on Monday or I probably would not have noticed the leak.



I'll follow up on this thread if they get it fixed.



Update 1: Three tries to reseal the rear window and all failed. New rear window ordered. I wonder if they have really found the leak???? 11-15-06



Update 2: New window and electric slider mechanism installed on 11-16-06. Truck gets to sit at the airport for a week in the rain before I know if they really fixed the problem.



Update 3: So far no leaks after almost 3 weeks. 12-6-06





Jon

 

[raksasa]

Maybe the fix dodge will come up with is to drill some holes in the floor and let it drain out. :-laf

This is my third DC product in a row... all of them have leaked substantial amounts of water into the vehicle interior. This is the first truck I've owned that was kind enough to leak during the warranty period, though.



Jon

 

[BBlyman]

This is happening to my 05 QC also. Guess its time to take the third brake light apart and seal everything with RTV.



Bob

 

[JCasper]

Last night I sealed my third brake light with some RTV. I am hoping that the water is coming in between the lens and the back of the light, as there is a crack there. Where the two pieces of plastic are attached there is a small gap. It looks as if the water were to get into the light it could then leak down behind the headliner and drip onto my backseat.



Hopefully this works, I will run some water over the truck tonight. Actually it will probably rain today and I will be able to see.



I priced getting a new solid window from the local glass shop, Yeah that is $430. I am sure I could find it cheaper if I call around.



I am really starting to get fed up, every problem I have had with this truck has been after my warranty was up.



Joe

 

[KaufmannC]

I have a leak too but no slider

I also have water leaking in and I have a solid rear window. I thought it was leaking in because I have a sat. ant. run between the seal and the body at the third brake light. I've yet to try sealing it up. Hope this steers everyone else in the right direction

 

[JCasper]

I really think it is very poor craftsmanship again. I think it is the Light. Between the back and the lens. They are not sealed together very good. And the best thing is, Dodge wants $55 for the light. There is no way I would give them that for the same thing.

 

[jakprince]

There should be a gasket that seals the third brake light. At least there is on my 03.

 

[JCasper]

There is a gasket. But Between the lens and the back of the light where the two pieces of plastic are put together, there is a gap. I don't know where the water is coming from, but it is really starting to irritate me. A $35,000 truck and it leaks, much more and I will be installing a bilge pump.

 

[Cummins360]

I dont know if it helps but my 95' leaked through the back window, the brake light, and the weatherstripping u-channel on the back side of it where it attaches to the pinch weld.

-Travis

 

[BBlyman]

Well after the down pour of rain last night, I finally found out were my leak in coming from. Its the top center of my window seal. Looks like a trip to the dealer for me.



Bob

 

[JCasper]

Mine may be coming from there. I just don't have any warranty left, so I won't be paying the dealer to fix it.



What year is your truck?

 

[BBlyman]

I have an 05 Ram CTD. I have about 11K till my warranty goes bye bye.

 

[swexlin]

This is my third DC product in a row... all of them have leaked substantial amounts of water into the vehicle interior

See my post about wet carpet passenger side. I'm thinking it's my windshield and/or plastic cowl.



My rear window seems to be OK, though.

 

[JCarrier]

I have one for all of you. I have a 06 Mega Cab w/sunroof and DVD. When it rains the DVD leaks water onto my floor. Took it in 2 weeks after I bought for the dealer to look at. They said they adjusted the sunroof and all is well. Did not replace the DVD that was full of water. The dealer dryed it out and it tested fine. Well leak is still there, I just cant be without the truck for 3 days again. Any ideas here?

 

[swexlin]

Good thing Dodge doesn't make submarines!!



Just trying to inject a little levity into the thread.