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Comments
So you have to pop the vent screens off (or the whole cowl) and dig in there. If you poured a cup of water in those vents, you should see it immediately draining out the bottom of the car in a steady stream.
Does this happen when it rains or when there's a car wash event?
If none whatsoever, I'd suspect the sunroof drains or the door drains. Look under the rear doors and see if there are drain holes and see if they are clean. Sometimes if you put down newspaper you can spot the leak's source.
again, thanks a lot of your prompt response!!!!!
Water leaks can be very hard to track down. It takes patience.
I've even resorted to driving through a car wash with a friend in the back seat checking for water intrusion.
Water could be coming in under the rear seats.
No sunroof.
So it must be rear door, or door window, gaskets then, or plugged drains in the doors.
The cruise control was working but then on a trip while engaged it suddenly stopped and I have not been able to engage it since. Is it also affected by the vacumn system?
It took me several days to wait for big enough rain to spot out which part of the car gets wet. Now I think the culprit is the rear part of the sunroof. What do you suggest me to do to fix it?
Thanks very much again for your opinion. It does help a lot!!!
A) in front of the back wheel, for the rear drain in back of the front wheel, for the front drain, or C) on your carpeting or D the water just sits there.
If C, then you must have a break or loose tube in the drain area. Most drains are not one continuous pipe,they have a flex hose in there somewhere---usually under the headliner by the back window (rear windshield). That would be a pain to track down and fix.
If D, then the drain is plugged and the water is overflowing the channel into your car.
Sunroofs also usually have a seal around the lip of the moving lid, so check that out as well, for tears.
If the drains are plugged, use AIR to blow them out, don't go sticking a wire in there. You can knock the flex hose off inside and then you have to tear into the headliner or C pillar trim pieces, or into the trunk area.
But does the cruise control work on vacuum? I know that there are two modules that operate it.
You can test the trunk seal by laying business cards across it at various points and then closing the lid. If you can pull the cards out easily, the trunk seal is either very compressed from age or your lid is misaligned.
just noticed that i have the same problem on my 99 towncar. carpet is total soaked from rain. your info i'm sure will be very helpful. one quick question i have though, is how do you remove the plastic trim panels on the side. i tried pulling on them, but i'm afraid i may crack one. any hints or tips you can forward? again, really approciate your help...
Buzzdoo
Also check the trunk for leaks as water can get in that way; also the rear doors have drain holes on the bottom that can get plugged up.
Anyway,its been about 2 weeks since this repair,one car wash later and at least 2 overnite winter rains and all is dry inside.What a relief to find this remedy and I personally thank you for this help.
Anybody with a '98 or newer Town Car should be ready to correct this if the foam gasket fails.I discarded the gasket but retained its outline when applying the silicone.
I initially thought there was a leak in he trunk somewhere, however the weatherstripping appears to be in tact around the trunk perimeter. Took the car to the dealership last night. They called today to advise that they think it might be a clogged sunroof drain, but cannot determine as the entire trunk is wet again and it's best if they dry it out. They also said there is a lot of water underneath the rear seats.
I guess this explains why I'm always getting foggy windows - all the moisture that's inside the cabin.
Hopefully they can fix the problem and more importantly, they deem this covered under the extended warranty.
Have the same year, model, and water problem as you described. Symptoms first showed up three weeks ago. Searched the web and found your posting but no others.
Have you received any responses of found any help and/or solutions?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Woolybug (that is the name of a trout fishing lure)
If that is not your problem, then if you have a sunroof you may have a clogged/defective drain line with that. Water that leaks around the sunroof seal, drains out a tube. If that tube is clogged, or split, you'll have water in the car.
Here is the procedure:
BEVERAGE HOLDER BASE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION:
Note: Take care not to scratch the dashboard and related parts
Put on gloves to protect your hands.
1) Make sure you have the ANTI-THEFT Code for the radio, then write down the
frequencies for the preset buttons.
2) Remove these items:
- Center Lower console
- Center Panel
- Audio Unit
- Display Unit (with navigation)
3) Remove the beverage holder base:
a) Detach the hook from under the beverage holder.
(hook is at rear of bottom of beverage holder. You probably have to
pull out holder to almost full extension.)
b) Pull the beverage holder out.
c) Remove the screws that are on the underside of the holder.
d) Remove the beverage holder base from the center lower console opening.
4) Install the beverage holder base in the reverse order of removal and enter the
ANTI-THEFT Code for the radio, then enter the customer's radio station
resets.
Hope this helps. There is a sketch in the manual.
It does not smell like antifreeze, so I don't believe it's the heater core. Coolant tank is at max level when cold.
It has rained here recently and I think its a water leak, but I don't know where its coming from. Maybe from the fresh air intake?
Does the cowl drain into the evaporator housing and then thru a drain tube?
I would like to check both the cowl and a/c drain, if someone could help me locate them.
Has anyone else experienced this or have any ideas and fixes?
Thanks.
Have you had any response?