Water leak causing power Liftgate to open and set off alarm

[stevem]

I purchased a used 2011 EL Limited with 80k miles a couple months ago. We've had a ton of rain lately here in GA. About a month ago the car alarm went off in the middle of the night. I noticed the interior lights on and the tailgate popped open, not wide open, like opening a door and letting it rest itself on the lock. So I checked in the cabin and noticed the passenger floor board soaking wet. I pulled back the carpet and the kick panels and noticed a pool of water in the wheel well as well as sopping wet behind the firewall. I cleaned it all up and The next morning started doing research on why this was happening. I tested the following drains

1. Sunroof drains. All clear.
2. Windshield vent by the wipers. All clear.
3. I checked the rubber drain grommets in the floor and sealed one with silicone.
4. Checked the windshield washer fluid hose and seems fine.
5. Had a mechanic check the A/C drain and he said it didn't seem clogged.


A month later and after all the rains the last week, it happend again. Same sequence. Alarm in the night, Partially open liftgate, interior lights on and again wet carpet on the passenger side. This time I dryed it out and the alarm continues to go off because there seems to be something sending a signal to the liftgate to open itself while the car is locked. The only way to keep if from happening is to disconnect the battery every night.

So I have 2 problems I need help with.
1. Where is the leak coming from?
2. Phantom tailgate opening itself while car is locked and in the night (when the temps drop?) Because of the moisture from the leak, it must have corroded the connection at the wire junction box by the fuse box.

I really don't want to take it to the Stealership. Please help!!!
Thanks for reading,
Steve

 

[stamp11127]

Dry it then have someone hit it with a garden hose while you are inside looking for the leak.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

It is possible the water is entering the vehicle via the rubber accordion conduit that runs between the door and the A pillar (or B pillar). The conduit is near the door hinges.

The rubber conduit is a press fit into the opening in the body and if it is not seated properly, or damaged, water will run down the A or B pillar, enter the opening in the body and go behind the kick panel - causing the water in the carpet and pad. This leak may be causing a short in the wiring that is behind the kick panel.

Often, this type of leak will only be present when the car is parked and lots of water flows down the A or B pillars. If you are driving in the rain - the water flows off of the car and not down the A or B pillars.

If warm enough - you may want to remove the kick panel and use a garden hose to flow water down the A pillar to see if it is leaking into the passenger compartment. If the rubber according seems to be fitted properly but is leaking, you may want to seal the opening with silicone sealant.

 

[waters]

I purchased a used 2011 EL Limited with 80k miles a couple months ago. We've had a ton of rain lately here in GA. About a month ago the car alarm went off in the middle of the night. I noticed the interior lights on and the tailgate popped open, not wide open, like opening a door and letting it rest itself on the lock. So I checked in the cabin and noticed the passenger floor board soaking wet. I pulled back the carpet and the kick panels and noticed a pool of water in the wheel well as well as sopping wet behind the firewall. I cleaned it all up and The next morning started doing research on why this was happening. I tested the following drains

1. Sunroof drains. All clear.
2. Windshield vent by the wipers. All clear.
3. I checked the rubber drain grommets in the floor and sealed one with silicone.
4. Checked the windshield washer fluid hose and seems fine.
5. Had a mechanic check the A/C drain and he said it didn't seem clogged.


A month later and after all the rains the last week, it happend again. Same sequence. Alarm in the night, Partially open liftgate, interior lights on and again wet carpet on the passenger side. This time I dryed it out and the alarm continues to go off because there seems to be something sending a signal to the liftgate to open itself while the car is locked. The only way to keep if from happening is to disconnect the battery every night.

So I have 2 problems I need help with.
1. Where is the leak coming from?
2. Phantom tailgate opening itself while car is locked and in the night (when the temps drop?) Because of the moisture from the leak, it must have corroded the connection at the wire junction box by the fuse box.

I really don't want to take it to the Stealership. Please help!!!
Thanks for reading,
Steve

What ever happened with this? We are having the same issues.