Challenging! Weird interior leak in the trunk

[Tedders]

Hellllp!

I have a water leak where the water collects in the left side well below the trunk mat. This opening is sealed on the bottom (it looks like it should be this way) and so the water doesn't drain out. No water gets into the spare wheel well. It appears that the leak is coming from a yellow plastic rectangular box structure that's attached to the inside left fender sheet metal. It can be seen when the side carpet is pulled away. It's also somewhat below the gas filler area. There are water streaks coming from below it. The 'rectangle' is either glued or attached on so strongly that I cannot even wiggle it.

I've checked the drain tube for the sunroof, and that is clear & fine.

Wha' the heck is that thing, and, any suggestions? As I said, that 'box' is on like a gorilla, so I don't think I can remove it without doing some real damage.

Thanks!
Drive Laughing!

Tedders

[Kep]

I think you are describing the Light Failure Sensor (diagram in Body Electric BE-17). I don't remember any trick to taking it off. There is no reason that water should be coming from it. However, if you have found water stains you must be near the actual leak and it may be dripping down on the sensor.

Luck
Kep

[marc780]

First you need to find out or make your best guess as to where the leak is coming from. At worst you could climb inside the trunk with a flashlight and have somebody hose down the car. (It should go without saying but even so I think you'd want a trusted friend for this and not some a-hole buddy who likes a good joke now and then ) .

The obvious place for the leak is around the trunk seal. Examine the seal and its contact surface on the trunk lid. If you find it to be leaking, it is something you can change yourself if you are careful. My advice is use 3m weather stripping cement, only, if you do decide to change this seal - no other product works as well in my experience.

If the trunk seal looks good also suspect the rear window seal. It may have to be removed and reinstalled with a new seal if it is found to be leaking.

[95CamryV6GTA]

Hi.

My problem could be very diferent. But i had a leak on the right hand side. After a little digging and scraping , it was rust. It was actually exactly behind the rear wheels. There was no indication from the outside as it's covered with trim and the mud flap.

I had to the hole with some fibreglass.

The plastic thingy could also be the ventilation vent where it allows air the exit the trunk.

just thought of sharing

[TRDSleeper]

Hey Tedders,

I have a gen4.5 Camry and I think you have the same problem I had. On the left side of my trunk wall there's a black rectangular box with rubber flaps on it. I think it's purpose is to let air into the trunk so there's no mold and things like that. I'm not sure what it's exact purpose is. When I drove in heavy rain, the tires would kick the water into the trunk via that opening. I thought it was a faulty seal in the fender at first, but turns out that box was where the water came in from. For my car, the box was held on with plastic tabs on the edges so I just pry it off and use Dynamat to seal up the hole. It's actually a big hole too, around 3 in x 5 in. So far no more water in my trunk. Hope this helps. I haven't seen the inside of a gen3 Camry before so your yellow box might be a different thing. Maybe you should take some pics of it so other members can see what you mean.

[Kep]

+1 on the pictures

Kep

[J.Vincent]

The box is to let air out of the car. Cars are almost air tight ,when you turn on air or heat that forced air has to go somewhere.The rubber flap acts as a hinge. If they become dried out or brittle they no longer seal out water. pretty common on older cars

[Dave's]

I'm just too low tech- pulled the plastic bin out and drilled a 1/4" hole thru the sheet metal at it's lowest point.

[Likuid]

Originally Posted by Dave's

I'm just too low tech- pulled the plastic bin out and drilled a 1/4" hole thru the sheet metal at it's lowest point.

lol, so simple! Thank you! Drilled hole in left side and water drain out quickly to the floor.