XM Antenna Install now water leaking inside
#1
XM Antenna Install now water leaking inside
I installed the enclosed antenna with my roady 2 kit on top of the roof and sent the cable antenna wire though the third brake light and now the edge of the headliner were the third brake light is water is leaking in. I don't know if its because i installed the antenna while it was raining or if it left a gap in it.
thanks and happy holidays
thanks and happy holidays
#2
Probably not the best idea to put it through there considering how prone they are to leaking without a wire going through the gasket.
XM antennas don't have to be on the outside of the car to work. I have mine right in the center of the dash up near the windshield and it works perfect. Run it up through the tray up there in the top of the dash and it works fine. You might want to think about doing something like that to solve the issue.
XM antennas don't have to be on the outside of the car to work. I have mine right in the center of the dash up near the windshield and it works perfect. Run it up through the tray up there in the top of the dash and it works fine. You might want to think about doing something like that to solve the issue.
#3
#4
#6
#7
Trending Topics
#8
Running it out the top of the 3rd brake light is fine and will give you the best reception. Even if you move it inside you are going to have to reseal your brake light up.
You need to install some weatherstrip to make it leak proof. The foam on the bottom side of the light that Ford installs compresses down and does not make a great seal when it is reinstalled with the wire under it.
I went to Home Depot and bought "Door and Window High Density Foam Tape Weatherstrip, 3/16" Thick, 3/8" wide x 17' long for a few dollars. I attached it to the metal of the truck where it would be lined up to the foam on the underside of the light assembly and no more leaks. Just run it all the way around the rectangular opening and then tighten the screws down to seal it up.
The one that I bought was Item # 02253 http://www.mdteam.com/products.php?category=221
I did this 3 years ago and no leaks in rainy Florida.
You need to install some weatherstrip to make it leak proof. The foam on the bottom side of the light that Ford installs compresses down and does not make a great seal when it is reinstalled with the wire under it.
I went to Home Depot and bought "Door and Window High Density Foam Tape Weatherstrip, 3/16" Thick, 3/8" wide x 17' long for a few dollars. I attached it to the metal of the truck where it would be lined up to the foam on the underside of the light assembly and no more leaks. Just run it all the way around the rectangular opening and then tighten the screws down to seal it up.
The one that I bought was Item # 02253 http://www.mdteam.com/products.php?category=221
I did this 3 years ago and no leaks in rainy Florida.
#10
#11
Just use a foam tape on the metal of your truck and on the bottom side of the brake lights. Run the wire through the foam tape like a sandwich. No leaks and when I have to replace a bulb it takes me 2 minutes.
#12
The sealant guarantees that there isn't a leak. It fills in the little gaps between the foam and your wire. There isn't a need however to seal the entire light. Just the .250 of an inch or so where your wire is and .125 or so each way. Personally, Taking an extra 5 min to make sure it will never leak the one time a year you change bulbs is worth not having to replace the headliner or seats do to water intrusion.
On a more personal note Blueflareside, You have such good luck because your wire is on the bottom of the housing. Where this works great for you, and gravity is on your side, this is not one of the more common ways to run wires thru a Hi-Mount stop light. Sorry if this makes me sound like a jerk, No offence was intended. Too many years of writing technical reports i suppose.
On a more personal note Blueflareside, You have such good luck because your wire is on the bottom of the housing. Where this works great for you, and gravity is on your side, this is not one of the more common ways to run wires thru a Hi-Mount stop light. Sorry if this makes me sound like a jerk, No offence was intended. Too many years of writing technical reports i suppose.
#13
The sealant guarantees that there isn't a leak. It fills in the little gaps between the foam and your wire. There isn't a need however to seal the entire light. Just the .250 of an inch or so where your wire is and .125 or so each way. Personally, Taking an extra 5 min to make sure it will never leak the one time a year you change bulbs is worth not having to replace the headliner or seats do to water intrusion.
On a more personal note Blueflareside, You have such good luck because your wire is on the bottom of the housing. Where this works great for you, and gravity is on your side, this is not one of the more common ways to run wires thru a Hi-Mount stop light. Sorry if this makes me sound like a jerk, No offence was intended. Too many years of writing technical reports i suppose.
On a more personal note Blueflareside, You have such good luck because your wire is on the bottom of the housing. Where this works great for you, and gravity is on your side, this is not one of the more common ways to run wires thru a Hi-Mount stop light. Sorry if this makes me sound like a jerk, No offence was intended. Too many years of writing technical reports i suppose.
Here is mine:
Last edited by BlueFlareside; 12-28-2008 at 08:11 PM.