hey guys

i've got 2 problems. i guess they are directly linked.

I've got TL. It rained a stupid heavy last week and water was coming in. It has happened before but a while ago.... but the carpet became a lake. I think the water was coming from under the dash. I guess it was near the fan motor of the air conditioning, i didn't take a thorough look. Anyway, I could see water marks coming down from up there (behind the glove compartment) What can possibly be up there that can let water through?

The 2nd problem is after the rain. I think my SRS module has crapped itself. The SRS warning light is always on. It's not the cables under the seats. It's something else, i've even tried disconnecting the battery. The fault is still there. So i'm guessing that it became water damaged.
Has anyone had the same issue with the SRS module?
can i get to it and crack it open and dry it?
how much is it for another one?

any thoughts on the leak?

Under the plastic leaf guard that runs along the base of the windscreen is a large air intake that is supposed to let outside air in but keep water out. Have a look at it, especially around the base, for spots water can be getting in. Usually rust. Or its full of leaves. Or something. Lol

it looks good... there are no leaves or rust around that shield.

it looks good... there are no leaves or rust around that shield.

You wouldn't expect rust in a TL, but the water is getting in somewhere!

Have a look at the bonnet hinges, where they sit in the bodywork. If the sealant there has let go, water can get in. Also check that the water outlets are clear - you should be able to run a hose in there and have the water come out at the front of the front wheels.

Failing that, look behind that air intake for rust holes, probe with a screwdriver if you can't see. Also, is the leaf guard intact where it covers the top of the air intake?

As a last resort, run a hose over the area and quickly look inside where the water dribbles appear.

i took off the primary plastic guard. made sure the other smaller plastic guard that covers the fresh air intake was securely in place.
Got a bucket of water and pretty much ran it down the windscreen to mimic rain water. i then removed the plastic guard and the intake was wet. So i guess the foam seal, around the plastic guard degrades after time. It's still soft but it wasn't tacky like it should be... if you know what i mean. Even putting it back on, you can see that it won't seal. It sits on the metal, but not against it. So as a easy fix till i find a suitable replacement... probably some thick double sided tape... unless you guys recommend something.
i used some gaff tape and ran it up under the windscreen and covered the join (where the foam sits on the metal).
I will do another test with the gaff tape another day. Hopefully it was a easy temporary fix...

As for the bonnet hinge sealant, yes mine is cracked. Should i chip it out and use some fresh stuff or seal over the top? or should i get the bolts out and use thread tape to seal them up

just an update:

what i did, did NOT fix the leak... The leak is coming from somewhere. When i look up under the dash, i can see water on kind of seam putty. It's running from up there.

I do have some rust, of the A pillar, against the black window trim for the door.

how do i take off the black trim? That is on the pillar, where the mirror sits against when the door is closed.

The rubber trim is one continuous piece, from the bottom of the "A" pillar, around the door windows, down the "B" and "C" pillars.
Each of the 3 ends is pinned with black plastic pins.
Once that is off, remove the philips head screws and remove the first layer of metal. Then repeat for the second layer.
You will then be able to see the actual painted bodywork to check for rust holes. Usually rust extends far beyond any damage you can see.

If you find the water is getting in there, go see a body-shop (aka crash repairer) and get a quote for repair.

thanks...i'll see if i can stop the leak 1st and then i might get a quote. Depends on whether if it's worth it :)

i just had another look.. that seam glue they use between the bonnet hinge and the front 1/4 panel... What is that for? is it to cover a gap? does that gap go into the cabin?

On my car the seam glue was cracked... i chipped it off and i will put some new stuff in there tomorrow. But i just want to see where it goes... i'll take a photo and see if i can post it

i tried a heap of things when my windscreen was leaking, some i prolly shouldnt have end up getting the windscreen resealed for $55 and no more issues..

nope no photos allowed

nope no photos allowed


Why not?

If you upload to a host site such as photobucket ir even facebook you can c&p the url here to load the photo's.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w440/Dylas/Screenshot_2016-01-16-18-43-45_zpsxribvtmw.jpg

I think this might work...

The Blue is where the water runs off into the inner guard.
The Red is where the seam sealer was over, but is now cracked. Does the Red go into the cabin? or does it go into the plenum (where the water runs into from the windscreen)

It would be the red bit letting in water,but simple enough to test. Add a small quantity of water, then see where it goes.

To be honest, it shouldn't look like that. Have a look at another car and compare, maybe visit a wrecker?

What is the history of this car, has it had a shunt on that side?

I think it has had an accident on that side. The car makes some rattling noises that i can't find.

The drivers side is almost the same but it has less goo. I'll get the bonnet off this week and chip out the old stuff and use some sikaflex on the seams.

I think it has had an accident on that side. The car makes some rattling noises that i can't find.

The drivers side is almost the same but it has less goo. I'll get the bonnet off this week and chip out the old stuff and use some sikaflex on the seams.

Yes, just what I thought. A bad repair job. Rust there just isn't normal for a Magna.

You could just keep covering the cosmetic surface damage and try to keep the water out, but for a permanent fix, the bonnet and guards need to come off, rust removed, opened seams fixed, and fresh paint.

Time to see a crash repairer for some expensive fixing?