Sunroof Drain Clogged leading to complete engine harness failure??

Took my 2016 Limited Tacoma to get a engine light/trac off light checked that has recently come on to my local Toyota dealership. After a week of diagnostics, they determined there was water under the passenger side carpet and has damaged the engine harness. I asked for them to check the sunroof drain after the first day to see if that was the water issue and they stated they checked that and it was clear. A few days later they said they can't figure out where the water is coming from so going to go with it is coming from the third brake light recall. Then a day later then mentioned it rained over night and it was the sunroof drain tubing that is causing the water leak. In all, they mentioned this is over $4500 and the whole engine harness needs replaced. Extended warranty company denied covering this so it is now trying to go through insurance. They say since it wasn't an incident like a flood they aren't sure if it will get approved either. Has anyone else dealt with this issue?

 

The fact they denied the claim is no more surprising than waking to find the sun rising this morning, but just out of mild curiosity, what company and on what basis was the extended warranty denied?

 

This was through Assurant, I have the platinum coverage with them. They said due to the main cause being water damage. It has never been in a flood or off-roading situation where water could of got in. I speculate it came from a faulty drain

 

after you fix it are you gonna sell it?

 

Not good. I thought Toyota only has the platinum /extended warranty

 

Not sure yet, it only has 46,000 miles on it and already looking at this large of a repair is a concern. Corporate is looking into it at the moment, it seems a bit extreme that a clogged sunroof drain ruined the entire harness but what do it know

 

i would, maybe its a lemon and full of gremlins. that sucks, hopefully it all works out and you get a new truck.

 

I bought this Tacoma two years old from a non Toyota dealership and was the warranty company they dealt with. Never have bought extended warranty before but wanted to on this to be safe, clearly a waste

 

They wanted $4500 to change the harness in my daughters sienna minivan because a mouse ate the wiring that controls the automatic doors.

I think it’s got that soy-based plastic insulation on the wiring. I am hoping the Toyota quit using that stuff and it is not your problem. Clearly you should be able to drive in the rain with a glass roof.

 

Seems a bit extreme that a clogged sunroof drain would cause that much damage. My wife's Highlander had a clogged drain and it took a while to track it down. The only damage was a wet carpet and that dried once the drain was cleared.

Still, I am not a fan of sun roofs.

Cleaning those drains should be on the regular maintenance list, but it seems that they never get checked until the carpets are wet.

Good luck OP, I hope corporate helps you out.

 

Maybe I'm wrong but I find it surprising if the sunroof drains were that problematic why this wouldn't be part of the maintenance guide, etc. to keep an eye on. Went through it with corporate lady and nothing in there states this should be regularly done to prevent this type of damage. Not sure if that will matter but worth bringing up to them

 

After this situation exactly what I am wondering too. Not a huge car person so wasn't aware this could become this big of an issue. Hoping so as well, the dealership has basically told me have insurance cover it or out of luck

 

Timmythetoolman has a vid on it and the sunroof has a built system for it can drain the water, but when it gets clogged the water has to go somewhere, it does get cleaned but your truck is pretty new and the one in the vid was a 3rd gen 4runner

 

Did you go through with that repair or go another route? I've heard if a rodent is involved insurance typically covers it but due to mine just being water and possibly just from a clog might be on me

 

I did check that video out. Not a mechanic but was thinking as in that video if the drain tubing is clogged the water would run from the top down, into the headliner, etc. I have no water damage anywhere high, only puddled up under the carpet of the passenger side

 

The water escapes out the bottom of the tube. It drains in the wrong place. I've never heard of a drain getting that filled with water.

 

Search the forum for passenger water leaks or A/C leaks.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/weird-ac-problems-and-water-on-floor.731720/
I’ve also seen posts of leaks caused by a faulty windshield seal.
And I don’t buy it that the harness has to be replaced. Wires are insulated and water won’t destroy it. Inspect the portion of the harness under the carpet on the passenger side- does it have connectors there? If so clean and dry and if corroded replace them if you find replacements. If you have a friend whose background is electrical that would help.

Have you checked the OBDII codes?

 

Long story but the dealership has had it for four weeks as of today. A week to come to the water conclusion and then weeks with the warranty company. They kept claiming they were waiting on the warranty company, warranty said waiting on the dealership. Asked the dealership for proof they have been sending warranty company what they need and they couldn't show me, finally had warranty person get onsite and denied the claim.

Since this is working through insurance and corporate now they still have it at the moment. I'll dig more into those forums, I have looked through and saw nothing this extreme.

I don't have the exact codes, they said for days they couldn't figure it out, was sending misfires to 6th cyclinder, etc. but said all the Ohms readings are at 16 on the harness. If insurance and corporate bails ill take it back and go that route of checking myself, get another opinion, etc.

 

No, other things in her life became more important & she just forgot about fixing the car.

 

Dang brother; sorry this has happened to you. Hate to say it but I think you are going to have to eat this one. I too am not a fan of sunroofs as they can be way more trouble than they are worth. Maybe an independent shop can fix it for less? Also might be a good idea to get a second opinion on this; maybe its not as bad as they are making it out to be?