Water Stained Headliner Near Rear Corner

[RamCares]

I did not have the time to deal with the issue until today's dealer visit.

I also discovered that there is a crack on the rear window frame.
View attachment 42980
They asked me to schedule another appointment since they need to remove the headliner and rear window to diagnose and tomorrow will be New Year Day.

@RamCares, is it better to get a specialist for my next visit.

Hello ramain,
We are certainly sorry to hear about your recent experience. If you are interested in getting connected with a Case Specialist to add an additional layer of assistance throughout this process, please reach out to us privately.
Laura
RamCares

 

[RAMRhode]

Dealer said it was CMSL unit and they are replacing it. Hmm....we’ll see if this was the cause.

Picked up my repaired truck... I asked them to transfer my LED’s and they did...minus the rapid blink brake light...oh well, back to Amazon. The water spots were not removed. Maybe they tried, but to be honest, I’m not sure I would want them to scrub them out. I may take to a detailer later to see if anything can be done.
For others here dealing with this issue : My dealer service did not remove headliner. Just dropped down to inspect and test. Do not let your dealer tell you they need to. Please see attached photo.
I acknowledge my naïveté in the steps they stated they took to diagnose and test as I was not present to oversee. In an case, I will abide by their assessment and monitor.
I will say, that @RamCares was very responsive and personally connected with me regarding my case. Well done by @RamCares.
Just my thoughts: For us experiencing this leak who among us has removed our CHML to swap lights? I ask, because I did and this (so it seems) was source of my leak. Doesn’t make sense to me, in any case.

 

[RamCares]

Picked up my repaired truck... I asked them to transfer my LED’s and they did...minus the rapid blink brake light...oh well, back to Amazon. The water spots were not removed. Maybe they tried, but to be honest, I’m not sure I would want them to scrub them out. I may take to a detailer later to see if anything can be done.
For others here dealing with this issue : My dealer service did not remove headliner. Just dropped down to inspect and test. Do not let your dealer tell you they need to. Please see attached photo.
I acknowledge my naïveté in the steps they stated they took to diagnose and test as I was not present to oversee. In an case, I will abide by their assessment and monitor.
I will say, that @RamCares was very responsive and personally connected with me regarding my case. Well done by @RamCares.
Just my thoughts: For us experiencing this leak who among us has removed our CHML to swap lights? I ask, because I did and this (so it seems) was source of my leak. Doesn’t make sense to me, in any case.View attachment 43174

Hey RAMRhode,

Thank you for taking the time to follow up and share this update! If you do experience this concern again down the road, please be sure to reach out privately to let us know. We are always more than happy to help regarding any potential questions or concerns.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Biga]

i have been watching this issue since i purchased my RAM used in September. i thought i had dodged a bullet until today. the same exact spot is leaking. i just looked in the 3rd bake light and antennae area and its completely dry. when you remove the 3rd brake light you are looking directly at the other side of the headliner. if it were leaking here, the headliner would be wet in this area.
if you stand in the bed and look towards the front of the truck. on the right and left edges of the roof is a 1" plastic cover that runs the entire length of the roof line. what are these? and how are they removed? are they covering a seam? i ask because they seem loose and this is exactly where mine is leaking.
thanks!

When I originally took my brake light off I thought the same thing as everything looked dry, but with further testing I found water to be seeping in at the bottom side of the brake light, the gasket was completely soaked through on the bottom side only with water leaking down the back of the cab. I ordered a new brake light for about $30 on my own to avoid the hassle of dropping the truck at the dealer. I got the new one and the part number is different then what came off the truck even though they looked the same, maybe they updated something. Anyway truck sat in the rain for two days and headliner stayed dry so hopefully problem is solved.

 

[rick_od]

When I originally took my brake light off I thought the same thing as everything looked dry, but with further testing I found water to be seeping in at the bottom side of the brake light, the gasket was completely soaked through on the bottom side only with water leaking down the back of the cab. I ordered a new brake light for about $30 on my own to avoid the hassle of dropping the truck at the dealer. I got the new one and the part number is different then what came off the truck even though they looked the same, maybe they updated something. Anyway truck sat in the rain for two days and headliner stayed dry so hopefully problem is solved.

I understand what you are saying but the foam seal at the bottom of the 3rd brake light is below the opening which means the water would have to pass the seal and travel up to make it in the cab. More likely it was coming in through the top of the seal and around to the bottom. Unless you are saying it was actually leaking through the plastic?
Nice to kniw there is a new part for this.

 

[Biga]

I understand what you are saying but the foam seal at the bottom of the 3rd brake light is below the opening which means the water would have to pass the seal and travel up to make in in the cab. More likely it was coming in through the top of the seal and around to the bottom. Unless you are saying it was actually leaking through the plastic?
Nice to kniw there is a new part for this.

Yes it does not make much sense but I did find the seal was soak through at the bottom side so I'm not sure if the water would wick it's way through the seal and then start pooling above the seal and then into the truck. Could work it's way down from the top I guess but I don't think it was going through the plastic unless it was through the screw holes.

 

[ac1dd]

. The water spots were not removed. Maybe they tried, but to be honest, I’m not sure I would want them to scrub them out. I may take to a detailer later to see if anything can be done.

I hate to say it but removing water stains from this material is difficult because it is so fragile!
If you can live with the stain I would just leave it alone. Even if a detailer using a cleaning agent which might make it look better it may affect the durability of the material in the long run and have it looking worse down the road...
I've detailed for years and if the material is what it appears to be it's best left alone.

 

[RAMRhode]

I hate to say it but removing water stains from this material is difficult because it is so fragile!
If you can live with the stain I would just leave it alone. Even if a detailer using a cleaning agent which might make it look better it may affect the durability of the material in the long run and have it looking worse down the road...
I've detailed for years and if the material is what it appears to be it's best left alone.

Thanks for the comments, ac1dd. I agree whole-heartedly with your points and will leave it be. Maybe it will fade over time??

 

[firecadet613]

Thanks for the comments, ac1dd. I agree whole-heartedly with your points and will leave it be. Maybe it will fade over time??

Try soaking the area with a clean, wet towel (clean water) where the water line stain is. Dry it quickly with a hair dryer. This worked on fresh water stains.

 

[rrjjpp74]

So you all replaced you third brake light and it fixed your issue? Because I am having the same issue on the drivers side rear. Any info or help please.

 

[Dookie]

A few days after purchase, I changed out my cargo light bulbs for LEDs and when I went to remove the brake light assembly it wasn't overly tight. Secure yes, but I torqued it down farther than the factory when I reattached. This was prior to me seeing anything on the net about leaks. After I did see some issues, I sealed my antenna base with black RTV. Yet to have any leaks, but every time this or other threads like it come up, it makes me want to RTV the backside of the third brake light as well. I'll probably do that tomorrow just for peace of mind.

 

[Dusty1948]

Noticed a spot of water stain on the headliner near the passenger side rear corner:
View attachment 34003
View attachment 34002
View attachment 34005

Not sure when it happened at first. It has been raining for months in California... However, I wash the truck twice a month.

Some threads point to leaking Center High Mounted Stop Light. I open the CHMSL cover and there is no water spot I can tell either, and it does not explain why the stain is on the corner.

Has no problem for 8 months and 13k miles...

I've had three Rams and had this problem on all three, and I've fixed two others.

Chances are on the new gens (DT) the issue is the just the CHMSL. Mine was fixed by the dealer who installed a new lamp assembly and torqued the four screws in sequence (see STAR report enclosed).

The CHMSL on the DS (4th gen) use only two screws. Instead of silicone sealer, I used silicone tune up grease which does not harden. This is because I didn't want to destroy the gasket if I needed to change a bulb. A thin coating on the gasket has worked every time I've made this type of repair.

On some, however, sealing the CHMSL did not solve the problem entirely. I found that water was coming in through voids in the rear glass assembly frame that are directly under where the roof molding strips end just above the rear window. There I used silicone sealant for a successful repair.

Good luck,

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at: 029673 miles.

 

[Baja Ram Runs]

Anyone confirm there shark fin antenna is not leaking? I found some water in my truck today dripping from the top of rear slider frame and noticed the shark fin has some play in it. Seems like it needs re torqued

 

[Mr. Hindsight]

Anyone confirm there shark fin antenna is not leaking? I found some water in my truck today dripping from the top of rear slider frame and noticed the shark fin has some play in it. Seems like it needs re torqued

I had a similar thought about it being the shark fin antenna. I pushed down on it when it was raining and could see air bubbles that made me think it wasn’t secure enough to the roof. I’ve taken the 3rd brake light out and u can kinda see a small nut and wires coming from under the roof, which I think holds the antenna on. Mine was tight but u could check urs.

I have noticed my rear window leaking but just a few drops on the plastic trim piece which isn’t cracked. My 3rd brake light assembly / seal and headliner all have been bone dry as far as I can tell.

 

[Hackmunch]

guys the shark fin is 2 pieces. the top piece you playing with has nothing to do how its mounted.

 

[Baja Ram Runs]

guys the shark fin is 2 pieces. the top piece you playing with has nothing to do how its mounted.

How does the top piece remove? Can you pop it off without removing the mounting nut under the headliner?

 

[Dusty1948]

How does the top piece remove? Can you pop it off without removing the mounting nut under the headliner?

From 2019 DT Service Manual:
08 - Electrical / 8A - Audio/Video/Entertainment/Connectivity / ANTENNA, Satellite, Audio / Removal and Installation
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable(s) (Refer to 08 - Electrical/Battery System/Standard Procedure) .
2. Lower the rear of the headliner (Refer to 23 - Body/Interior/HEADLINER/Removal and Installation) .
   
   
   ​
   
   
3. Disconnect the antenna wire harness connectors (1). (Fig 1)
   
   
   ​
   
   
4. Remove the bolt (1) and the spring retainer that secure the antenna body to the inner roof panel. (Fig 2)
   
   
   ​
   
   
5. Remove the antenna assembly from the roof of the vehicle. (Fig 3)

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at: 030110 miles.

 

[Baja Ram Runs]

From 2019 DT Service Manual:
08 - Electrical / 8A - Audio/Video/Entertainment/Connectivity / ANTENNA, Satellite, Audio / Removal and Installation
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable(s) (Refer to 08 - Electrical/Battery System/Standard Procedure) .
2. Lower the rear of the headliner (Refer to 23 - Body/Interior/HEADLINER/Removal and Installation) .
   
   
   ​
   
   
3. Disconnect the antenna wire harness connectors (1). (Fig 1)
   
   
   ​
   
   
4. Remove the bolt (1) and the spring retainer that secure the antenna body to the inner roof panel. (Fig 2)
   
   
   ​
   
   
5. Remove the antenna assembly from the roof of the vehicle. (Fig 3)

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at: 030110 miles.

Thank you for the excellent instructions!!

 

[Hackmunch]

 

[Mr. Hindsight]

Thanks for the link. But damn talk about not giving a sh!t about ur paint / vehicle.