Anybody with a 2000 model have water coming in from the driver's side grab handle?

Mine's done this from new (a year now), dripping onto the vent and the headlight switch when I wash it, or when it rains. It drips also onto the door switches for the windows and locks, and onto my left knee. Seems to be coming in at the top bolt (of two) that holds on the driver's grab handle, and then runs down a bit, but the water MUST be entering somewhere higher.

I've checked the windshield and drip mouldings and the other stuff up there (don't look any different from the right side), and I'm stumped.

I've decided to take it in in a week or so for its first-ever visit to a dealer, but this is the only thing that need fixing and I'd rather fix it myself. (Texans, who have forgotten what rain means unlike us Northerners, need not respond.)

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Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.

My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom 240-cube 3-speed, '98 F-150 XL-SC 4.2 5-speed, and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed. GREAT trucks!

 

Wa aa aatt er waateerr cough cough!!

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam, etc..etc.......
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.Billet grilles on order
Hoping for deliverance from door crack hell.

 

LOL! Hang in there, 98Screamer, Al's gonna get you some (gotta be in there somewhere with all those other campaign promises).

 

So far no water leaking in at the grab handle in the 10 months of ownership and 16300 miles of driving.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

If you can duplicate it at the car wash, take it into the dealership and make them fix it (should be easy to see). Windshield, door, or roof... sure sounds like one of them is leaking. I've not had any leaks on my 2000.

 

I wanted to bring you up to date.

Last weekend, I pulled off the trim blanks on the grab handle and found the bolts holding it on were pretty loose, but not noticably so if you just grabbed on and pulled. I tightened the bolts up several turns each with the ratchet and I'll wait to see if the leak is still there.

Could be, I was thinking, this was an early '00 (I took delivery September 30, 1999) and they were still getting the hang of installing these. I'll post again if the leak is still there.

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Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.

My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom 240-cube 3-speed, '98 F-150 XL-SC 4.2 5-speed, and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed. GREAT trucks!

 

Shifter,
There is a TSB out on this prob if its the original windsheild not sure what the # is but Ford is having probs with this. Water comes in the left top of the shield goes down the A piller, gets into the fuse box and shorts everything out. The leak is so small that you cant see it. If your dealer don't know about it, tell them to call ford dealer hotline or their dealer customer service rep to find out more about it. I,ve seen 3 trucks lose all power to everything and have to be draged onto a trailer to get repaired(not a pretty sight).

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98 f150 4.6 auto 4x4 supercab-short box/bright red & black/6 disk cd changer/ dynomax cat back/k&n fipk/super chip/lund taillight covers/clear corner lens/factory fog lamps/pace edwards box cover/ultra wheels/LT265-75-16 BFG/ westin nerf bars/steel horse billit grill & bumper insert/reflex shocks/bosch plat. plus 4/accel wires/auto start/left hand grab handle/skidoo summit 700 high mark/FORD DEALERSHIP

 

Thanks, summitman. I snugged down the two bolts holding the handle on -- they were much looser than the ones holding on the right side grab handle -- and the leak has stopped. However, I'll look into that TSB you mentioned. Thanks again.

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Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.

My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom, 240 cube 6, 3 on the tree, tan, "West Coast" mirrors, step bumper, knitted vinyl seat, AM radio; '98 F-150 XL-SC, Pacific Green, 4.2 5-speed, 3.55 ls, FM-cassette; and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed, 3.55 ls.

GREAT trucks!

 

Didn't you know, that's the new thing. No radiator, they just circulate the coolant throughout the body. Cools the engine and heats the body in winter :-)