Water leaks into left rear Satnav/audio panel area

[Homerlovesbeer]

Hi guys,

I visited my parents who had pretty solid non stop rain for the 24 hours and the X5 was parked outside. Being pretty nervous with a (new to me) car I checked several times for sunroof leaks but couldn't see any coming from the roof.
After being parked overnight we went to go after lunch. My wife noticed the right rear passenger footwell carpet was soaking wet.

Nothing I could do as we had to drive 170km home so we got going. About 30 mins into the drive I heard some electrical noises coming from around the instrument cluster or the speaker at the A pillar.

Stopping again I checked the boot and found in the left hand panel where the cd changer, Satnav and DSP amp sit had a small amount of water on plastics etc and the carpet was pretty wet also.

So having no choice but to continue home we did. Over the drive the nav screen came on/off randomly and eventually the indicators and lights on the cluster stopped working also.
Needless to say I was absolutely gutted this happened especially after spending around $15,000 on the engine rebuild and other maintenance items and have only just got the car on the road.

As it was getting dark I got pretty concerned however the lights and indicators were working just the cluster didn't show them so (no flashing for indicators, no Hight beam light etc).
Home we checked again in the garage the cluster started working again which was a relief!
Also the audio/nav seems to have got life back also.

So I've checked a few things. I think the leak in the RHS rear passenger footwell is probably the vapour barrier. I've yet to pull the door cards off but I'm sure that's it. The Air-conditioning leaks I've read about don't sound like the issue as the A/C runs pretty much always as it's warm in Qld.

I've also checked the sunroof drains. The front drains flow perfectly and fast as does the rears.
So I've cleaned the tailgate and hatch rubber grommets which looked ok also, checked the wiring boot in the left hand side that connects the hatch wiring into the car and the looks good also.
I have checked behind the left taillight and I can't see anywhere that water could have come in.

So I'm stumped as to how the left well full of audio stuff (behind the panel in the boot) has got wet. The wheel well is dry as is the RHS.



The carpet behind the DVD player is damp





A previous owner went to town on the wiring as I believe there was an after market amp which is why these has been chopped and then patched later




Can someone please help identify where the TV module is as well as the AM antenna and bluetooth? thanks.



Ideas on the leak? I really don't know now.......

Thanks!

[80stech]

I don't totally remember what it looks like but there is a drain for the tailgate that gets plugged and can cause some of what you are describing.

[Homerlovesbeer]

Thanks,

Yep checked all 3 in the tailgate and the 2 in the glass hatch......

[EODguy]

Check your rubber bump stop for the upper hatch (too high or leaking around it)

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[Homerlovesbeer]

ahhh ok....does it come in there sometimes?

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by Homerlovesbeer

ahhh ok....does it come in there sometimes?

One of the guys here had that happen to him, plus if too misaligned the hatch seal may not have full contact.

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[Homerlovesbeer]

Cheers,

I'll have a look now

[Homerlovesbeer]

Originally Posted by EODguy

One of the guys here had that happen to him, plus if too misaligned the hatch seal may not have full contact.

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How should the bump stop be set? I imagine just below the seal?

[80stech]

I think what EODguy is saying is that there can be leakage where the stem of the stop meets the metal frame and/or that the stop might be set too high (extended, trying to get rid of a noisy hatch) not allowing good contact of the seal. There is a spring loaded replacement stop that works very nicely.

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by 80stech

I think what EODguy is saying is that there can be leakage where the stem of the stop meets the metal frame and/or that the stop might be set to high (trying to get rid of a noisy hatch) not allowing good contact of the seal. There is a spring loaded replacement stop that works very nicely.

Exactly what I meant about the bump stop, but also if it is too high you'll get a light seal.

Maybe wipe the seal with something, close the hatch and open to see what kind of contact print it leaves on the hatch lid...

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