Unknown Water Leak --- HELP PLEASE

Ive got a 2002 Tacoma 4WD - 4 Door. The issue im having is there has been water pooling on the top of my 4WD shifter boot and the rubber boot underneith. Nothing else is wet anywhere in truck , headliner , floor boards , pillars , nothing!!! HOPPYFULLY someone has seen this before. aAny help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Only thing I can think of would be a leaking windshield.

 

Yeah I have thought about that but it seems pretty far back to drip into the boot. I will check with a windshield shop and see what they say. Thanks

 

No need for an expert, just get a hose or bottle of water and pour along your roofline. I can assure you that thats what they’ll do.

 

That’s really strange circumstance.

Is the rubber boot torn? Have the roads been wet where you live recently? Drive through creek crossings?

Only thing I can think of is water is getting through/around the rubber boot and up the shaft and onto the shifter leather boot.

If it was coming from above, I’d think you’d see clear evidence.

 

anyone use your truck??

It would not be the first time things got dumped and no one said a word.

Your sure it is water ?

Rain water coming from the road is anything but clean.

Wiper tunnel leaking into the cab rather then the windshield.

 

No sir all three times I have dicovered it is when it has been sitting in my drivway. No tears in lower boot at all and no high water crossing. I dont drive it very often at all i have a 2012 Tundra thats my everyday.

 

Positive its water. I had a 1999 Prerunner that had the imfamous wiper tunnel leak and noone has used it. The baffeling this is that nothing else is wet what so ever.

 

Perhaps Condensation .

Leaking I would think more on the floor being diverted left or right by all the things under the dash

 

I also thought of that aswell. Like the 4wd shiter boot is acting like a green house. Im in Alabama and its very humid.

 

That’s a lot of water on the rubber boot to be considered condensation, no? Granted I live in a desert climate so what do I know?

 

I know right!!!! But the actual shifter boot was wet to the touch , like it collected the condensation and dropped it to the bottom. I HAVE NO IDEA. **^&&^%#@!@#$%^&*)()*&&^%$$##

 

I mean, have you actually attempted to diagnose the issue?

Go to a self-serve car wash, and hose down the truck with high pressure.

Any interior leaks will reveal themselves shortly after.

This would've been the first thing to do before posting here.

 

Also based on the amount of rust on the metal plate, this seems like more than just a condensation issue to me.

 

I mean , yes I have done everythig I know to do other than put it out there to see if any one has seen this issue before. just so you know i have done self spray - brushless - and brushed car washes. so now what would you do??????????????????????????????

 

Why has no one asked... @danathebeak do you have a sunroof? If so, show a photo.

 

Thanks Brother - it does not have a sunroof.

 

This is perplexing.

Dripping from above: unlikely from what you say. No sunroof. Windshield is too far forward. Headliner isn’t wet, so not dripping down from there…

The only thing not asked to rule out dripping from above: Have you pulled down the map lights and looked behind there to see if they are wet? Maybe water IS getting in at the top of the windshield, collecting in the map lights and then dripping down onto the shifter boot.

 

Completely dry. Honestly guys Ive even confronted my wife about messing with me thinking she is trying to make me crazy!! LOL

 

Thank you! I was about to ask.

@Kwikvette has a good idea. Bring a friend and someone can stay inside the truck to possibly spot the source faster.