3rd brake light leak ?

i bought a used 05 tacoma access cab and noticed last storm that the headliner was wet and leaking onto the floor. i looked around the outside of the 3rd brake light and the rear window which has the middle sliding window. The window looks like its either been replaced or resealed. there is evidence of some black sealant smudges on the paint around the window. when pushing on the inside of the rear window, it seems tight. i havent noticed any other wet areas but havent looked rear hard either. when i was reversing, looking out the back, there was an obibous dripping wet spot right above the back window.
so my guess is that the light is the problem. do i need a whole light assembly. i though i read that you will damage the gasket when taking the whole light out and there is no gasket replacement, just replace the whole light. is this correct? how do i fix this leak.

cheers
sid

 

If the window has been replaced, I would start there. Go to any decent auto glass place, and ask them to remove, clean and reseal the rear window. I had a 94 Ford Ranger and the rear window leaked. the glass place I used charged me like $65 to do all that. Never had a problem since. Even if the window doesn't move, it can still leak if it wasn't sealed properly.

 

First see if the light is installed TIGHTLY--it may have been removed for the glass installation.
I am not familiar w/2nd gens. BUT you can always seal with SILICONE calk.The light--NOT the window.

 

Sunroof?--water runs down hill--do not forget to check that too.
It might just appear to be from the light.

 

I had a small leak on mine also, after washing the truck it had a little water on the headliner. I removed the two screws and took out the whole light, the black factory sealer was not tight to the truck so i put some good silicone around it and retighten the screws, and cleaned off the excess before it dried. I have not had anymore leaks, you could check that area first.

 

thanks, no sunroof.

 

took it to a body shop, they quoted my 225 to seal test and fix what ever was the problem. they said to check the light first.
at first i though it was the rear window but then looking at it, the water spot was higher that the window so my guess its the brake light. will dive into it later this weekend.

 

$225?? Are they gonna kiss you first?

 

I had the same problem on my 07. Took the light off, scraped off the old spongy gasket from the light assembly and the back of the cab. Cleaned off residue with sticker adhesive remover or goo gone. Put a good bead of clear windshield silicone around back of the light fixture and around the screw holes . Waited ten minutes and reinstalled. Seems to have done the trick.