3rd gen mildew and moisture under the drivers carpet... help

Glad to see they got it figured out, and I am really glad to see that it wasn´t a Toyota issue. Now, you do have your hands full as to how to get reimbursed from all this. Hopefully the installer will man up and admit fault instead of giving you the run around. Let us know how it turns out.

 

That sucks. Best of luck on getting it remedied.

 

Good luck getting your money out of them.

 

Well. At least it was found. Worst case is no one admits fault and I remove my own carpet and padding and have them steam cleaned or dry cleaned and put the plug in on my own. I hope the bed doesn't have to come off for that. Dealer said it might.

 

Sunroof?

 

Do you have a pic or description of the area where the vent plug was knocked out?

 

It's the vent plug for cabin pressure. I have never seen it. But my installer met the Toyota service manager today and agreed to pick up the bill. Supposedly there was so much Mildew built up you could see the fuzzy spores.

 

Interesting....just wondering because there's a vent right behind the rear seat that I pushed my wires through for my rear pods. Nothing broke, pierced or missing but I don't want this to happen. Glad the shop is fixing your issue though.

 

This is probably the vent they knocked out(just my best guess)

That sits directly behind where the JL stealth box goes. Seeing as JL doesn't make an enclosure for the 3rd gens(2nd gen box wont fit because of these vents) they might have knocked it out to gain room? Either way, that's a major entry point for water.
@StormTrooperTaco16 If you routed the wires THROUGH the vent holes, it should be ok. I would not pop it out and break the seal where it meets the cab.
I work in the 12V industry and have seen this stuff happen often.
Hope everything works out for you OP.

 

That's the one I put my rear pod wires through without removing anything. Hope it stays dry
Thanks @mesojdm and hopefully everything goes well for OP

 

That sucks, but glad they found the issue. I would be livid at the audio installer. Yes, they are paying for it, but now you have mold spores in the fibers of your truck. I'd make sure every piece of floor interior is replaced.

Glad to see this is not a Toyota issue.

 

OP. Please take a picture of the JL stealthbox. Curious to see how it fit/ and or if they had to cut anything.
Thanks!

 

Mesojdm thank you very much for posting those pictures. It was very helpful to see.

The stealth box did require modification to the panel behind the passenger seat as the installer discovered the 2015 was different but it still looks clean and professional. I posted a pic of it in another thread.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ur-3rd-gen-today.399305/page-88#post-11349675

Pics are near the bottom

 

Guys, I have an update. It is now 100% fixed with new padding and double lined dynamatt over the vent next to the JL stealthbox. PLease be advised JL has not updated any installation instructions regarding the boxes ( for the 2016 model) being too large and putting enough pressure on the Tacoma cabin pressure event to push it out beyond the seal allowing water to enter the cabin. I was told due to this finding that JL will be drafting an updated installation manual for the 2016 stealthbox ( but NOT redoing the design of it....)

Anyone going with a JL stealthbox should be advised of this issue and take precaution during installation or with the installer.

 

here is a tip

when you need to run wires from inside the cab to the rear and outside, use the body grommet under the driver seat, not anything
else. cut a slice through it, run your cables, then run cables along the top of the frame rail to destination

and seal it back up not with silicone or body sealer, use specifically LEXEL. lexel is incredible goop and sticks to anything, wet or dry

 

Thanks for the tip but my issue was a leak involving the cabin pressure release vents in the rear of cabin. There were. It leaks involving any wiring.

 

it was this

Dealer found it cause. The installer of the stealth box for my sub knocked out a vent plug meaning they may have to remove the bed to get it back in properly.


which made me say that

-
why would the installer knock out the vent plug ? must have been pushed from the inside ?

so I mentioned what I said.... that is, anyone ever
needs to run from inside, to the rear outside, use the grommet on the bottom,
not vents on the back, in case

installers owe you all new carpet and padding...plus any fees for diagnosing the issue
do not settle for clean it and mold treatment...that is half-assing it

 

Glad your dealer found the cause (not being their fault). Toyota is blamed for enough stuff and I suspect sometimes it is not their fault. Case in point: I was a dealership recently picking up my truck after a rear door window seal replacement. The tech called me over and showed me a 16' SR5 similar to mine whose gauges would go haywire temporarily. When the tech looked at the ECU he noticed many of the leads were corroded. He then suspected the windshield was leaking around the seal. It being a Toyota brand windshield he assumed the factory was in error and Toyota OK the repair and replacement of the ECU. When the tech notified the customer about what he found the customer said that he had just recently had the windshield replaced by a glass company. Toyota then refused to pay for the repair and the customer and the glass company are negotiating who will pay for what. The tech showed the rep from the glass company where the problem was and he thinks the glass company will stand for the repairs (which "ain't" cheap!). What threw the tech off at first was that it was a Toyota brand windshield and he was under the impression they were in short supply for windshield replacements. I know my insurance company will only pay for certified replacements but if you want a branded model (like Lexus, Toyota, BMW) you have to pay the difference unless the only replacements are OEM units.

 

Well. I do blame my local dealer partly. I took it to them 4 months ago when the smell was starting to be an issue ( before my katskins). After keeping it all they they said there was no leak and that this was how new tacomas smell. Makes me angry that they obviouslt did not even look under the carpet for moisture at all. The really didnt check and could have discovered it before it got MUCH worse.

Thanks for all the help and pictures.

Here is what a JL stealthbox is for those that do not know. Its a solid one piece. Since it is form fitted, it could put pressure on the vent. Since it was the first 2016 my dealer ever saw, I can see how changed in the design of the truck vents could be an issue. I promise that they know now for future tacoma installs.

http://checkout.jlaudio.com/c/mobile-audio_stealthbox_toyota_tacoma