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Thread: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

  1. Top Of Page | #1
    Skywrench's Avatar

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    Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    I travel for work and put in many hours, so I didn’t have time to look at this myself.

    I took my 2016 3500 to a dealer to have it looked at.

    The headliner was getting damp near the back rear corners every time it rained.

    The service department charged $140 to diagnose.

    They said the factory rear window seal was leaking and the whole window needed to be replaced and quoted me a $2000 estimate to do the repairs.

    They said it was impossible for them to re-seal the window because they couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t leak again.

    The headliner was getting wet ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW.

    It didn’t make sense that a large amount of water would ‘wick’ upward into the headliner.

    I told them, ‘no thanks.

    I took the truck back home and noticed the headliner wasn’t installed correctly, and there were greasy fingerprints all over.

    I took the truck back to complain, and they cleaned the headliner and detailed the truck - a nice gesture on their part.

    I took the truck back home to have a closer look at myself.

    After a quick google search, I found the 3rd brake light seal was a common culprit.

    I watched a couple of Youtube videos and saw that others were using a $9 piece of weatherstrip to replace the factory brake light gasket.

    I pulled the light out and could see evidence of water staining in the center bulb and below where the bulb fits.

    I could also see a metal channel running under the brake light that extends toward each side, explaining why the headliner would only get wet near the back corners.

    While I was scraping the old gasket material off, I noticed that water would come out if you squeezed the rubber.

    After I replaced the gasket - no more wet headliner!

    The cost was minimal, and the whole repair was like 15 mins.

    Posting this in case someone else runs into the same problem.


  2. Top Of Page | #2
    MOD watersupply189's Avatar

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    Re: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    Thanks for the info.

    All 3 of the RAM trucks I had did the same thing leaking around the third brake light.


    2016 Ram Laramie 3500, G56, 6.7, CC, 4x4

    2016 RAM 3500 4x4 Laramie Crew Cab
    Cummins,G56, Rough Country level, Morimoto LED fog lights, LED headlights, Lund Attitude Steps sprayed with Line-X, DRL's Activated, 35x12.50R18 Falken Wildpeak ATW3, Fuel Vapor Wheels Matte Black w/Dark Tint, A.R.E. Truck cap and swing boxes

  3. Top Of Page | #3
    DIESELWRKS's Avatar

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    Re: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    Quote Originally Posted by Skywrench View Post
    I travel for work and put in many hours, so I didn’t have time to look at this myself.

    I took my 2016 3500 to a dealer to have it looked at.

    The headliner was getting damp near the back rear corners every time it rained.

    The service department charged $140 to diagnose.

    They said the factory rear window seal was leaking and the whole window needed to be replaced and quoted me a $2000 estimate to do the repairs.

    They said it was impossible for them to re-seal the window because they couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t leak again.

    The headliner was getting wet ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW.

    It didn’t make sense that a large amount of water would ‘wick’ upward into the headliner.

    I told them, ‘no thanks.

    I took the truck back home and noticed the headliner wasn’t installed correctly, and there were greasy fingerprints all over.

    I took the truck back to complain, and they cleaned the headliner and detailed the truck - a nice gesture on their part.

    I took the truck back home to have a closer look at myself.

    After a quick google search, I found the 3rd brake light seal was a common culprit.

    I watched a couple of Youtube videos and saw that others were using a $9 piece of weatherstrip to replace the factory brake light gasket.

    I pulled the light out and could see evidence of water staining in the center bulb and below where the bulb fits.

    I could also see a metal channel running under the brake light that extends toward each side, explaining why the headliner would only get wet near the back corners.

    While I was scraping the old gasket material off, I noticed that water would come out if you squeezed the rubber.

    After I replaced the gasket - no more wet headliner!

    The cost was minimal, and the whole repair was like 15 mins.

    Posting this in case someone else runs into the same problem.
    Had the same issue just before my bumper to bumper warranty ran out.

    I have the 3rd break light with led light and cargo camera.

    I saw the invoice that they covered it was 1200$.

    2017 WON TON CC LB 68AUTO
    Secret stuff that make it vroom and whistle better Thuren 2.25 w/2.0 Fox Resi

    Justin
    Southern Oregon ( the Republican part)
    UNITEDSTATES MARINE CORPS 1993-2007
    No better friend, No better enemy.

  4. Top Of Page | #4
    Nikoil's Avatar

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    Re: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    Quote Originally Posted by Skywrench View Post
    I travel for work and put in many hours, so I didn’t have time to look at this myself.

    I took my 2016 3500 to a dealer to have it looked at.

    The headliner was getting damp near the back rear corners every time it rained.

    The service department charged $140 to diagnose.

    They said the factory rear window seal was leaking and the whole window needed to be replaced and quoted me a $2000 estimate to do the repairs.

    They said it was impossible for them to re-seal the window because they couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t leak again.

    The headliner was getting wet ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW.

    It didn’t make sense that a large amount of water would ‘wick’ upward into the headliner.

    I told them, ‘no thanks.

    I took the truck back home and noticed the headliner wasn’t installed correctly, and there were greasy fingerprints all over.

    I took the truck back to complain, and they cleaned the headliner and detailed the truck - a nice gesture on their part.

    I took the truck back home to have a closer look at myself.

    After a quick google search, I found the 3rd brake light seal was a common culprit.

    I watched a couple of Youtube videos and saw that others were using a $9 piece of weatherstrip to replace the factory brake light gasket.

    I pulled the light out and could see evidence of water staining in the center bulb and below where the bulb fits.

    I could also see a metal channel running under the brake light that extends toward each side, explaining why the headliner would only get wet near the back corners.

    While I was scraping the old gasket material off, I noticed that water would come out if you squeezed the rubber.

    After I replaced the gasket - no more wet headliner!

    The cost was minimal, and the whole repair was like 15 mins.

    Posting this in case someone else runs into the same problem.
    I have the same issue but my headliner is fully soaked out back.

    I’m wondering if it’s my sunroof drains that are causing it.

    Been dreading pulling headlined off.


  5. Top Of Page | #5
    DIESELWRKS's Avatar

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    Re: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    Quote Originally Posted by Nikoil View Post
    I have the same issue but my headliner is fully soaked out back.

    I'm wondering if it's my sunroof drains that are causing it.

    Been dreading pulling headlined off.
    Any update.

    I don't have a sunroof, so I can't say about the drains.

    My 3rd brake was filled like an aquarium.

    The other thing to check is the shark fin antenna on the roof, if you have one.

    I was cleaning the roof and noticed that the base of the antenna was not tight against the roof.

    I don't know how the hole and cable are sealed underneath.

    I asked the dealership about it they said it's normal.

    I checked a used 4th Gen and the new 5th Gen, and they all had a tighter seal.

    Do you have roof clearance lights?

    I hope ya find the source.

    2017 WON TON CC LB 68AUTO
    Secret stuff that make it vroom and whistle better Thuren 2.25 w/2.0 Fox Resi

    Justin
    Southern Oregon ( the Republican part)
    UNITEDSTATES MARINE CORPS 1993-2007
    No better friend, No better enemy.

  6. Top Of Page | #6
    Nikoil's Avatar

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    Re: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    Quote Originally Posted by DIESELWRKS View Post
    Any update.

    I don't have a sunroof, so I can't say about the drains.

    My 3rd brake was filled like an aquarium.

    The other thing to check is the shark fin antenna on the roof, if you have one.

    I was cleaning the roof and noticed that the base of the antenna was not tight against the roof.

    I don't know how the hole and cable are sealed underneath.

    I asked the dealership about it they said it's normal.

    I checked a used 4th Gen and the new 5th Gen, and they all had a tighter seal.

    Do you have roof clearance lights?
    I’ll need to check that too.

    It might be my 3rd brake light because it’s A/M.

    I’ll check it first and then go for the antenna base.


  7. Top Of Page | #7
    toyota_mdt_tech's Avatar

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    Re: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    Yep, my 2010 was leaking at the 3rd brake light, took it out, installed a bead of that gray putty for RV seams, installed lamp, no more leaks.

    Stuff is pliable to make removal for bulb change easy still.

    2010 Dodge 2500 SLT CCLB 4WD G56 Cummins 6.7 turbo diesel, 3.42 LSD. Add ons: Banks Monster Ram, Grid heater delete, Spyntec Free Spin Kit with Warn hubs (62672) Laramie Alloys (includes spare), "Powerwagon" Flares, Powerwagon bed decal (4X4 off road) OE Ram mudflaps, OE Slush Mats, OE Clearance Lamps, Geno's shift knob in black, 5" DPF back with muffler delete, spray in bedliner, OE brake controller, Durafit Seat Covers, Pro Tech Toolbox, Speed Turtle, Upfitter switches, Ham Radios, 8 Antennas, headache rack, emergency light bar,....

  8. Thanks IGOTACUMMINS thanked for this post
  9. Top Of Page | #8
    toyota_mdt_tech's Avatar

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    Re: Water Leaking At Lower Rear Headliner

    Quote Originally Posted by toyota_mdt_tech View Post
    Yep, my 2010 was leaking at the 3rd brake light, took it out, installed a bead of that gray putty for RV seams, installed lamp, no more leaks.

    Stuff is pliable to make removal for bulb change easy still.
    I need to update. I ended up replacing the entire lamp with a new OE Mopar unit; the part number changes, so something is improved, I hope.

    Also, in another thread, I replaced the rear cab exhaust baffles (2), and I have no more moisture inside my truck, it's 100% sealed up now.

    In these body-controlled trucks with networking, moisture, and condensation is the enemy.

    Fix that leak and dry it out, even if you have to pull the headliner, carpet, etc.

    2010 Dodge 2500 SLT CCLB 4WD G56 Cummins 6.7 turbo diesel, 3.42 LSD. Add ons: Banks Monster Ram, Grid heater delete, Spyntec Free Spin Kit with Warn hubs (62672) Laramie Alloys (includes spare), "Powerwagon" Flares, Powerwagon bed decal (4X4 off road) OE Ram mudflaps, OE Slush Mats, OE Clearance Lamps, Geno's shift knob in black, 5" DPF back with muffler delete, spray in bedliner, OE brake controller, Durafit Seat Covers, Pro Tech Toolbox, Speed Turtle, Upfitter switches, Ham Radios, 8 Antennas, headache rack, emergency light bar,....

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