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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHWater Leak Issues: Drain Plug and VIN cover - Cowl
Reported or suspected cause
seal between the side mirror and the door
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
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Reported cause
Turned out to be a bad seal between the side mirror and the door
Water Leak Issues: Drain Plug and VIN cover - Cowl
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Leading evidence: 'seal between the side mirror and the door' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'seal between the side mirror and the door' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check '99 cabrio in re' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Reported cause · Original poster
Part of the solution to this problem is an updated drain grommet which is less likely to get blocked by a leaf (shown below).
Water Leak Issues: Drain Plug and VIN cover - Cowl
Check '99 cabrio in re
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No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I just went into the garage and checked my '99 cabrio in re.
Water Leak Issues: Drain Plug and VIN cover - Cowl
Clean convertible top and doused it
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Last of all, I cleaned the convertible top and doused it with water fairly heavily as I rinsed off the top cleaner.
Water Leak Issues: Drain Plug and VIN cover - Cowl
Replace alarm module didn't bother
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
What kills me is that the repair shop that replaced the Alarm module didn't bother to put in the fix for the grommets in the cowl.
Water Leak Issues: Drain Plug and VIN cover - Cowl
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15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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So I have a '99 Cab that had been neglected by the dealers that serviced it over its life so far. I'm doing my best to get the car up to snuff.
One thing I noticed is that the car had the alarm module replaced due to a water issue where water fried the module, a common problem I understand. Part of the solution to this problem is an updated drain grommet which is less likely to get blocked by a leaf (shown below). Does anyone know the part number for this new grommet? The parts diagrams seem to refer to it as 996.504.645.00 but I think they may be refering to the old grommet.
Also does anyone know the part number of the clear plastic cowl plug that covers the VIN access cutout and helps to prevent leaves from entering?
Last of all, I cleaned the convertible top and doused it with water fairly heavily as I rinsed off the top cleaner. I immediately noticed water collecting on the passenger side in the tray next to the bottom of door. It seemed like the water was coming down from the upper door panel, over the plastic speaker panel and then down the carpet into the passenger side carpet and the tray. Any ideas why water would be leaking from the inside of the door into the passenger compartment?
Thanks in advance for your help on this. Below is a picture of the updated grommet which I am looking for the part number for (thanks slbates) along with the VIN cover.
This is a VERY stupid design and placement. I really dunno what the engineers were thinking to put it at the lowest point of the interior cabin. Anyways, one thing you can do is to mount plastic spacers to the alarm brain module and elevate it right up to the bottom of your seat. This minimizes the chances of your alarm getting wet/fried as it will sit higher above and allow the drains to work before water rises up to your connectors on your alarm. This maybe more tricky if you have also have the power memory module below.
That is a terrific idea Alpine. I was thinking the same thing. Putting the Alarm module out of harms way makes a lot of sense. What kills me is that the repair shop that replaced the Alarm module didn't bother to put in the fix for the grommets in the cowl. They were just begging for the problem to occur again.
Does anyone happen to have a picture or part number for the seal between the passenger side mirror and the door? I'm trying to track down a water leak nearby...
I just went into the garage and checked my '99 cabrio in re. the so-called cowl opening plastic cover that "prevents" leaves from falling into the cowl area.
Hmmm...my car does not have such a plastic cover, or clear plastic insert, over the VIN. In fact, the VIN is nowhere to be found in that area. Rather, the VIN is embedded under the windshield (driver's side) and clearly visible without opening the frunk.
Am I missing something here?
Ha ha relinuca! I did the same thing and there is no cover, just a rectangular cutout....and no VIN there either. I've never seen a cover for that and I searched Auto Atlanta as well. Just the passenger side cowel cover. So you are not missing something...or we both are. 99 C2
Mine has a cut out ( wide rectangle ). If I look through the cutout to the area below, the VIN number is there. I put on the clear plastic cover. I'm considering covering the whole bottom of the Cowel panels with some sort of Mesh. I can see some rust on the bolts around where the steering column goes through the firewall (is that what its called on a car with the engine in the back). Under the drivers side dash I can see a bit of rust as well. All evidence of water getting into the cabin.
I took a look at the Alarm Module under the drivers seat and there really doesn't appear to be much room to raise it off the floor.
