Leaking onto interior electrics behind Drivers Kickplate

After thanksgiving I had posted this thread on my outside Temperature gauge going wonky, turns out the reading goes south whenever it rains.. this led me to thinking there was a water issue in one of the connections.

Last night we had a major rain storm - super flooding here over the 200 yr event but that's another story. This morning I went out and my smart key door wouldn't unlock. Touching the handle didn't work, nor would unlock/lock buttons on the fob. I had to go inside and get the key (Meso cool) and manually unlock the door. Once inside the smart key was picked up and the truck started like normal.

After a morning of searching TW I came across this thread with electrical issue due to water leak, I crawled down and pulled the drivers trim and kickpanels and I can see water on the back of the connections under the dash..

Had a windshield replaced this summer, but is there anything else I should be looking for leak wise? What is the best method to track it down?

For drying out the connections a contact cleaner is probably the best correct?

 

I'm not sure how long the connectors were wet or if they still are, but you'll want to make sure there's no corrosion on the terminals. You're good to use contact cleaner but don't use any kind of parts cleaner as that will destroy the plastic on your harnesses.

 

Any way to see what is happening without pulling the windshield?
This is looking less and less of a DIY job.

 

How far do you have your dash apart? It's possible that just inspecting, cleaning/drying and reconnecting the harnesses you can see are wet may resolve your issue. If it's much more involved you may consider making an insurance claim on it and letting Toyota fix it.

 

Still just the kick panels so far, It's just getting snowy here - so I'm hoping this is something I can investigate and see how bad it is.

 

The dash itself is really not bad to take apart. Hopefully you can get in there and check that harness out as well as you can. Did you happen to check out your batteries and make sure they're still good? Low battery volts can cause issues like you're having, not to say the water isn't the issue.

 

Batteries are good, although I may just throw some new ones in anyways for good luck.

 

https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RLD3

 

Thank you Caribe, I will look for that.

Edit; ordered from eBay uk!

 

Window shop is taking it in Tuesday for an inspection and testing the seals.

 

Follow up six months later.
Glass shop removed and resealed the windshield, I used contact cleaner and compressed air do blow-out the lower connections that had been wet..

Zero issues, temp works great, dry foot wells, problem solved.

 

Was experiencing this exact issue with the addition of my TPMS not reading any signal from any tire. Windshield replaced 4 months ago but there's clearly some water ingress. Pulled, hit with contact cleaner and blew out with compressed air every connection near the kick panel and everything seems to be working properly now. Really glad I found this post.

 

Currently trying track down and fix this issue myself. Bought a used 2019 28 days ago, dealer says SOL.
I'm figuring it's either the aftermarket roof rack wasn't installed properly (it was on there when I bought the truck and looked like it's been on a while), or it's the windshield. The headliner is dry, but the water is coming down from behind the dash along the wire looms. Not sure if it's best to start with removing and re-installing the roof rack or go with the windshield (I'm wondering if I'd have to cover that or if it would be part of an extended warranty)?

 

I had the same exact issues my self and it was a windshield as well. It took it back to the place that did it and they used an ultrasonic tester and couldn’t find any leaks. Once I got it home I pulled the panel next to the drivers dead pedal where all the connectors are and ran a hose for a bit, turned out it was the A pillar. Took some photos, texted the tech and they took care of it no problem. It was kind of an odd one but it hasn’t leaked since.

 

Thanks for following up with your experience. Did you just take it to a windshield install shop right off the rip?

I think I've figured out that the dealerships and any warranty servicer are gonna tell me "no help, no comp." So far, they just blamed the roof rack when they did an inspection.

With that, I'm figuring the same thing that happened to you is going to happen for me. Go to shop, get sent home, document leak, take it back and get it fixed. I'm assuming that they just agreed to reseal your windshield? If so, how much did that set you back?

Apologies for the thousand questions. Stress of new truck problems, purchasing dealership is 3 hours away and no help, and I get to move cross country in 2 weeks...

 

I would start with that roof rack.