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Water leaking through speaker grill?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by TacoManTaco, Nov 25, 2018.

  1. Nov 25, 2018 at 4:40 PM
    #1
    TacoManTaco

    TacoManTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I had professional installer put new speakers in the front doors about 6 months ago when i bought the truck.

    In heavy rains, I get some water leaking through the bottom of the speaker grill

    I took it to dealer, and they put the passenger door area under a road shower for two days and could not find any leak. Dealer gave it back and said nothing is wrong with it..20181124_205319.jpg 20181124_205254.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2019
  2. Nov 25, 2018 at 5:08 PM
    #2
    ShirtTucker

    ShirtTucker Taco Tip Line: 248-434-5508

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    It would be pretty difficult for water to get from the outside of the glass, past the speaker, and out through the grill.

    It sounds like the panel wasn't reinstalled properly, so water can sneak past the inner seal when the interior of the door is exposed to rain, but it would have to be a lot of rain to make it leak like that. When you watch the video linked below, you'll see why I say that. The weep holes in the bottom of the door might also be plugged.

    It's very easy to remove the panel, just make sure that you reinstall the cables properly. Also, make sure the rubber piece highlighted in red below is accounted for when removing the panel, it likes to pop off and you can be confusing to reinstall the first time it happens:


    upload_2018-11-25_19-4-24.jpg

     
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  3. Nov 25, 2018 at 5:21 PM
    #3
    runmc

    runmc Well-Known Member

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    There are drain holes at the very bottom of your doors. You'll have to get down on your knees to see them. Make sure they're not stopped up.
    Sorry didnt fully read above post.
     
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  4. Nov 25, 2018 at 7:19 PM
    #4
    TacoManTaco

    TacoManTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It IS only when there is a big rainstorm that it leaks. A normal shower causes no leakage.

    However, you mentioned that this should only happen when the interior of the door is exposed to rain. I never open the passenger door. I always note the leak when getting in through the driver side, then looking over at the passenger floor. I don't leave windows open. The only water that could get in is condensation from the window. You think that could cause it, if the door panel was not properly reinstalled?
     
  5. Nov 26, 2018 at 2:53 AM
    #5
    runmc

    runmc Well-Known Member

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    You can get water in around outside window seals at car wash and maybe heavy rain.
     
  6. Nov 26, 2018 at 3:16 AM
    #6
    Nunya Bizness

    Nunya Bizness A-A-Ron aka Stunny Gunny

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    1st mistake was letting Bestbuy get their mitts on your new truck... I wouldn't even let them touch my old kia Optima...
     
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  7. Nov 26, 2018 at 5:00 AM
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    Lawfarin

    Lawfarin Who me?

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    I used to be an installer, not for Best Buy, but I worked for a local audio shop for a couple years then went to 2 auto groups and worked for 10 years. The truck takes a factory 6x9 speaker. Did they replace with a 6x9 or use a 6x8 or a 6 1/2? More than likely either way they didn’t use a speaker mounting bracket. This could leave a gap in the factory speaker cut out where water can travel when it gets behind the window seals. Water always get in the doors, that’s why they have drain holes at the bottom of the door. It’s not uncommon for a speaker to get wet or have moisture on the back side where the magnet is. No water should be getting into your door panel. More than likely there is a gap around the speaker. Maybe a little more water than normal is traveling past the window seals and down through the door and coming out through a gap around the speaker. Only way to tell would be to take the door panel off and see. Showing these pics to Best Buy they should take a look for free. If so I would request you have a look when the door panel is off if they do. If the dealer pulls the panel off and see it’s from a Best Buy speaker install, they will charge you for their labor and any repair they need to make. So let that be a warning to you. If Best Buy is unwilling to do anything, If I were you, I’d pull the panel myself and have a look.
     
  8. Nov 26, 2018 at 9:01 AM
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    lynlan1819

    lynlan1819 Well-Known Member

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    Lifted
    This ^
     
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  9. Nov 26, 2018 at 9:30 AM
    #9
    kgilly

    kgilly Well-Known Member

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    all my speakers fit perfectly, no issues and not sure where you mean they drilled a small hole in the door panel? was it the cross member on the inner panel? maybe they removed the inner plastic or covering around the speaker and didn't reinstall it. have you taken the panel off yourself to check? they are very easy to remove.
     
  10. Nov 27, 2018 at 6:11 AM
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    TacoManTaco

    TacoManTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks a lot for your post. They did replace then with a 6x9 speaker, and they did use a speaker mounting bracket. He told me after installing that he had to drill a small hole, did not say any more than that.

    The strangest thing is that it does not leak all the time. Yesterday, we had a heavy day of rain, and there was no leaking at all. However, a couple days prior, there was a heavy rain storm and it leaked.

    The dealer held it under the rain shower for two days and there was no leakage.

    I have noticed the leak probably a half-dozen times and I think I am starting to smell mold.

    Is there any explanation why it does not leak every time?
     
  11. Nov 27, 2018 at 7:42 AM
    #11
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    Maybe if you parked at a different angle or if the rain came from a different direction?
     
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  12. Nov 27, 2018 at 8:01 AM
    #12
    Ronzio

    Ronzio Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like Best Buy assigned workers not skilled in the tasks assigned to them. I would file a claim with their liability carrier that information should be available at the Secretary of State office or call Best Buy directly and ask who their insurance carrier is.
     
  13. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:01 AM
    #13
    Lawfarin

    Lawfarin Who me?

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    It’s really hard to say without seeing what they did. Honestly it could be anything. You’d be surprised the stuff I’ve seen over the years.
     
  14. Nov 29, 2018 at 11:54 AM
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    TacoManTaco

    TacoManTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Best buy is going to take a look at it next week. I said the dealer said there is likely water getting through a gap around the speaker and the girl suggested to fill it with silicone. Anything else I should request/look out for when I go back?
     
  15. Nov 29, 2018 at 12:01 PM
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    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    The only openings in the door are at the wiper seals for the window, mirror mount, the harness connection, and the drain holes at the bottom. Are there any visible gaps at those locations? What happens if you squeeze the harness?
     
  16. Nov 29, 2018 at 12:40 PM
    #16
    Lawfarin

    Lawfarin Who me?

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    I couldn’t even imagine any gap or what they are talking about since they claimed they used a speaker adapter. I would tell them once the panel is off you’d like to have a look at everything so you can see for yourself wtf they did. Then have them explain what they are doing to do to fix the issue and make sure it’s up to your standards
     
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  17. Jan 19, 2019 at 7:39 PM
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    TacoManTaco

    TacoManTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So they took the door panel apart and screwed everything in tight, and it looked fine.

    But it still leaks in a heavy rainstorm.

    I will take it back to dealer and ask them to look inside the door panel. I am sure I will get a hard time about the aftermarket speaker.

    Is it normal for water to get inside the door panel to begin with? I am wondering if it is a flaw with Tacoma.
     
  18. Jan 19, 2019 at 7:43 PM
    #18
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    Water gets past the side windows, that is why car doors have drains in the bottoms.
     
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  19. Jan 19, 2019 at 7:44 PM
    #19
    JayRolla

    JayRolla Well-Known Member

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  20. Jan 19, 2019 at 7:51 PM
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    TacoManTaco

    TacoManTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Where exactly are the drain holes? Are they the little holes on the bottom of the door? Kind of oddly spaced. If so they look fine.
     

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