'00 LX470 rear hatch leak - brake light options?

[riffman12]

Hey guys,

Today I was removing my 3rd row of seats and noticed the far left of my trunk carpet was damp. Did some searching and it sounds like it could be a number of issues.

I poked around ant saw that my 3rd upper brake light is not only cracked with a visible gap, but also bowed out from the body of the car, exposing a gap between the light and the body. I'm assuming this is where the water is coming in.

I hopped on eBay and other sources and was a tad shocked at the price of these units. $200+ for US sellers. However, I saw that there were some aftermarket options.

I plan to run a bead of silicone around whatever new unit I get, but I'm wondering if anyone has had luck with an aftermarket unit for the 3rd brake light to save some money?

My LX is a factory no-spoiler car.

 

[FxFormat]

My started as a no spoiler truck, I too had a leak from that 3rd brake light. Running a bead of silicone around the housing will seal it from the rain. I added a spoiler later so I just ended up vinyl wrapping the led light. I’d just go ahead and grab that eBay light to save money. As long as it fits decent nobody will know it’s not oem. Just seal it good.

 

[Slashzero]

So, I’ve sealed my third brake light, however if I try to go through a touch-less high pressure car wash, water pours in the driver side upper rear hatch. The rubber seal looks fine. It’s still soft, no cracks. I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about it as I really need to wash my truck after a week driving around Nantucket beaches and mud.

Has anyone else experienced this, and solved it? Mine is a 2003 LC. I’m positive it’s not the brake light.

 

[trdcorolla]

So, I’ve sealed my third brake light, however if I try to go through a touch-less high pressure car wash, water pours in the driver side upper rear hatch. The rubber seal looks fine. It’s still soft, no cracks. I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about it as I really need to wash my truck after a week driving around Nantucket beaches and mud.

Has anyone else experienced this, and solved it? Mine is a 2003 LC. I’m positive it’s not the brake light.

There is a wire loom that has a pressure fit gasket on the hatch. It's held in by a plastic arm with electrical tape holding it to the plastic arm. Maybe yours isn't seated properly? When I installed a aftermarket backup camera, I remember having to fiddle with it to get it to go back in/click into place (I think i'm remembering the little click correctly).

 

[Slashzero]

There is a wire loom that has a pressure fit gasket on the hatch. It's held in by a plastic arm with electrical tape holding it to the plastic arm. Maybe yours isn't seated properly? When I installed a aftermarket backup camera, I remember having to fiddle with it to get it to go back in/click into place (I think i'm remembering the little click correctly).

Well, crap. I installed a rear view camera when I first got this truck. Pretty sure I snapped it back on, but I will check it tomorrow when I have day light. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[brownfox]

I’m also working on a leak in my hatch as well. I found a great thread last night where the guy was certain it wasn’t the third brake light but when sprayed with water the leak was apparent. RTV sealant was the answer there as well. Post pics if you find the source.

 

[Ayune]

It’s widely agreed that the OEM light seal is inadequate and leaks over time. Re-sealing with a thicker material like butyl rope has worked for many. The existing thread below has a lot of info.

- remove light and OEM seal
- apply butyl rope to body
- heat up with hairdryer, flatten a bit with wax paper
- heat again, reinstall light carefully allowing butyl to flow

new third upper brake light, would you add a strip of silicone?

What width did you use? I bought the 5/16" ribbon, but that was thicker than needed for my application. I cut, stretched, and rolled something closer to a 1/4" rope (vs the thicker ribbon).

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Slashzero]

I’m also working on a leak in my hatch as well. I found a great thread last night where the guy was certain it wasn’t the third brake light but when sprayed with water the leak was apparent. RTV sealant was the answer there as well. Post pics if you find the source.

I didn't get to check today, as we had severe thunder storms all day. No leaks during rain, and today was heavy rain. It's just when going through a touch-less car wash, specifically when the jets are right over the top of the rear hatch.

It’s widely agreed that the OEM light seal is inadequate and leaks over time. Re-sealing with a thicker material like butyl rope has worked for many. The existing thread below has a lot of info.

- remove light and OEM seal
- apply butyl rope to body
- heat up with hairdryer, flatten a bit with wax paper
- heat again, reinstall light carefully allowing butyl to flow

new third upper brake light, would you add a strip of silicone?

What width did you use? I bought the 5/16" ribbon, but that was thicker than needed for my application. I cut, stretched, and rolled something closer to a 1/4" rope (vs the thicker ribbon).

forum.ih8mud.com

1 to 2 months ago, I removed the third brake light, removed the OEM foam (which was soaked, BTW), and used marine grade caulk to re-seal the brake light. If I ever have to remove it, it's going to be a pain. I seriously doubt water is coming in through the brake light at this point. I strongly suspect the wire loom. If I can figure it out, I will post my findings.

 

[Gnarwgn]

@Slashzero - did you ever figure out the wire loom? I have the same issue - it was initially both the loom and brake light, but I have since sealed the brake light and am unsure how to solve the wire loom. I also believe my loom issue is due to the rear backup cam wire. I ran the wire under the loom, so it lifts up the edge where its supposed to sit flush to the tailgate metal. Also I didn't realize it clicks into place, so its probably also sitting there 'unclicked.' This has been haunting me since last winter!

 

[Superdude]

@Slashzero - did you ever figure out the wire loom? I have the same issue - it was initially both the loom and brake light, but I have since sealed the brake light and am unsure how to solve the wire loom. I also believe my loom issue is due to the rear backup cam wire. I ran the wire under the loom, so it lifts up the edge where its supposed to sit flush to the tailgate metal. Also I didn't realize it clicks into place, so its probably also sitting there 'unclicked.' This has been haunting me since last winter!

Did you ever solve your leak at the rear hatch? I too get water coming in during a high pressure car wash. Already replaced my third brake light.

Anyone else? Could it be the wiper washer allowing water inside?

 

[rexington14]

Did you ever solve your leak at the rear hatch? I too get water coming in during a high pressure car wash. Already replaced my third brake light.

Anyone else? Could it be the wiper washer allowing water inside?

Check rear weatherstrip for any cracks or gaps. Clean and scrape the passageways and seal along the metal clean of all debris while your at it so the water flows freely along and down the grooves in the weatherstrip. Mine was gummed up with a bunch of old leaf / dirt. Similar to a clogged roof gutter, under heavy flow eventually the water will pool and may find it's way in somehow. If good clean doesn't work, consider replacing it

 

[Malleus]

^this

 

[Gnarwgn]

Did you ever solve your leak at the rear hatch? I too get water coming in during a high pressure car wash. Already replaced my third brake light.

Anyone else? Could it be the wiper washer allowing water inside?

I did - ended up forcing the camera wire through the wire loom/boot successfully. Once complete I was able to seat the boot correctly where it contacts the tailgate metal. From there I took the suggestion (from somebody at some point) to run a bead of butyl around the boot to create an additional seal against the metal of the hatch for water to run around. Since doing that I've had no further issues! So I think in summary I had 1) a very leaky third brake light an 2) a leaky wire loom boot contact point.

 

[Superdude]

Wanted to update this thread even though I'm not the OP. Had a leak at the rear hatch. Replaced oem new third brake light. Didn't fix it. All along it was the pesky rubber wire loom cover!! It wasn't seated properly, and separated from the plastic part that snaps into place. Check that wire loom rubber!

 

[BikenSC]

It’s widely agreed that the OEM light seal is inadequate and leaks over time. Re-sealing with a thicker material like butyl rope has worked for many. The existing thread below has a lot of info.

- remove light and OEM seal
- apply butyl rope to body
- heat up with hairdryer, flatten a bit with wax paper
- heat again, reinstall light carefully allowing butyl to flow

new third upper brake light, would you add a strip of silicone?

What width did you use? I bought the 5/16" ribbon, but that was thicker than needed for my application. I cut, stretched, and rolled something closer to a 1/4" rope (vs the thicker ribbon).

forum.ih8mud.com

Do I need to remove the spoiler to take the light assembly off?

 

[Ayune]

Do I need to remove the spoiler to take the light assembly off?

Don't think so, the light unbolts from the inside of the hatch. And my truck does not have a rear spoiler installed.

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

Wanted to update this thread even though I'm not the OP. Had a leak at the rear hatch. Replaced oem new third brake light. Didn't fix it. All along it was the pesky rubber wire loom cover!! It wasn't seated properly, and separated from the plastic part that snaps into place. Check that wire loom rubber!

Hello! I replaced the third brake light properly. Not a terrible job. I left the inner rear hatch trim off for the time being to check for any other leak sources.

We did Ok through several rains (some of them heavy). Then I took it through the car wash for the first time after third brake light replacement, and I saw a literal waterfall streaming into the rear cargo area from the driver's side of the rear hatch. The water was gushing in as fast as the carwash sprayed. Had the inner trim piece been in place, I would likely had not known there was a leak. The water would have gone into the inner trim, and run down the sides, and then onto the rear carpet.

So, I am guessing the culprit is the rubber wire loom cover addressed above. I had checked this visually and for physical fitment/seal before tackling the third brake light. It seemingly fit fine and looked right.

Is there any way to seal this rubber cover? Replacement doesn't look possible, but perhaps there is some easy (not-so-easy?) way to remove and replace it?

Your experience and helpful comments are definitely appreciated as I continue to try to be the best steward of this awesome truck possible!

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

Hello! I replaced the third brake light properly. Not a terrible job. I left the inner rear hatch trim off for the time being to check for any other leak sources.

We did Ok through several rains (some of them heavy). Then I took it through the car wash for the first time after third brake light replacement, and I saw a literal waterfall streaming into the rear cargo area from the driver's side of the rear hatch. The water was gushing in as fast as the carwash sprayed. Had the inner trim piece been in place, I would likely had not known there was a leak. The water would have gone into the inner trim, and run down the sides, and then onto the rear carpet.

So, I am guessing the culprit is the rubber wire loom cover addressed above. I had checked this visually and for physical fitment/seal before tackling the third brake light. It seemingly fit fine and looked right.

Is there any way to seal this rubber cover? Replacement doesn't look possible, but perhaps there is some easy (not-so-easy?) way to remove and replace it?

Your experience and helpful comments are definitely appreciated as I continue to try to be the best steward of this awesome truck possible!

Ah, I see this in a previous post above: "I did - ended up forcing the camera wire through the wire loom/boot successfully. Once complete I was able to seat the boot correctly where it contacts the tailgate metal. From there I took the suggestion (from somebody at some point) to run a bead of butyl around the boot to create an additional seal against the metal of the hatch for water to run around. Since doing that I've had no further issues! So I think in summary I had 1) a very leaky third brake light an 2) a leaky wire loom boot contact point."

Perhaps when the weather breaks here in PA, I can try to seal around the rubber boot/cover after I check it to make sure it is seated properly again.