Water entering from dome light/overhead consolel

I got in my van today to find the cupholders in my aftermarket center console half-filled with water. As I tried to discern where the water may have come from, I finally noticed that the dome lights had small pools of water in them (both of which were strategically located exactly above each cupholder). So basically, water is entering somehow through the top of the van, pooling in the overhead console, overflowing into the domelights, then dripping into the cupholders (whew!).

In reading through most of the posts on this forum, I see roof racks often being the culprits for such water issues. However, my van is not equipped with a roof rack. Are there any other known sources for such a leak?

Thanks for any insight you may have-

Bil_

I think that your windshield is not sealed at the top and water is getting in. Your other post about "smoke" and interior lights acting funny could also be caused by this water entering from the top of the windshield. May need to have windshield resealed.

gls02-

Thanks for the advice. Actually, I now recall other Venture owners having to do the same thing, although I also recall one for whom it did not repair it. I will definitely get the window resealed, and then see what happens. Also, I am wondering if there is something that needs to be sealed between the windshield seat and the actual body of the van.

I also agree that the two may be related.

Thanks-

Bil_

My wife took the van to the shop today and they just called back. They also believe the dimmer switch was shorted by the water entering the vehicle. The big shock to us was that they cannot guarantee that they will not break the window when they try to reseal it. So it would cost about $180 if they didn't, $650 if they did. I can understand how the winshield could break if they tried to fix it, but that is quite a gamble!

Is there any other way to reseal the windshield? What are the odds of it breaking on removal? Also, the mechanic said there is a "pb" on this model for windshield replacement, but it was related to some "half-moon crack" problem at the top. He still suggested we may try to contact Chevy to see if they may do something. Not very hopeful though.

I am really unsure how to proceed at this point. Typically the van is in the garage, which may be why this problem suddenly came up (it sat outside during a snow/thaw cycle when we found the water). What to do, what to do....

Tuff choices! I would ask if they could just remove the windshield molding (not the windshield glass) and try to put sealant around the edge of the top and sides of the windshield without removing the windshield.

Are you dealing with a glass replacement shop? I would go to a glass replacement place and take my chances on resealing the origional windshield. I know it's a lot of money if the windshield breaks, but the damage that can be done by the water entering the dash area could be more costly.

What ever you do, keep up informed and tell us if it corrected your problems with the water leaks.

I would ask if they could just remove the windshield molding (not the windshield glass) and try to put sealant around the edge of the top and sides of the windshield without removing the windshield.

Are you dealing with a glass replacement shop?

I was wondering if something like that (removing just the molding and resealing the seam) would work or not. I'm not sure.

I had it at a great little all-purpose shop, which is run by a guy who has been great for us and everyone we know of who had gone there. That being said, he did tell us that he outsourced all his glass work, and that he had called several vendors about resealing the windshield and all were concerned about the chance of breaking the glass.

We picked the van up last night and told him we'd let him know. He is very understanding about both our personal position (broke!) as well as the fear of putting money in a van that is quickly going down hill (the tranny may be acting funny too).

I am going to call some glass shops directly and see if I can get more info. I'll definitely post my experience.

Thanks-

Bil_

HI,

I own a 2002 model Chevrolet Venture, and i just found out i have the same problem as you. I brought the car into the GM goodwrench service place and they took like 4 hrs to tell us the problem after we dropped our car there. They said the water enters through the seams at the top of the front two doors. I was thinking it was leaking from the windshield like u said, but they said it's not from the windshield, but from the side, which is quite weird. Can anyone tell me if it is possible for water to enter through the side seams and into the dome light, and not to do anything about resealing windshield?

Just wanted to post my follow-up, although it won't do much good for those of you who have this issue. As I re-read my posts, I know I said I would definitely get the windshield re-sealed, but as I said in later posts, part of my dilema was the vehicle was having multiple problems compounding.

Here's what I did:

1) I went to a junk yard and pulled a dimmer switch from another Venture, then replaced it myself.

2) Cleaned the vehicle up, and sold it.

The transmission was what was really scaring me. We had gone through a very painful experience with a Dodge Caravan in which we put good money after bad in transmission repairs. It only takes one experience like that to scar you for life.

Based on the mileage, condition (she still looked good), and issues, my mechanic said it may be wise to get out while it had some value. He was as concerned as we were. We then stumbled across a Honda Odyssey on eBay (from a dealership), the price was right and I had recently been smitten by Honda products (due to a Civic I had aquired), my wife loved it, so we made the move. So far, so good (we've owned the Odyssey since March '05), and we couldn't be happier.

We'll have to see how long my love affair with Hondas last (I'm now on my second Civic, and she's a beauty!). That said, we loved our Venture, until everything started going wrong. However, we can't complain since we got in and got out and didn't get hurt. The guy who bought it was a mechanic, and we fully disclosed all our concerns (we priced it to sell). He seemed pretty confident that it was a good investment...who knows if it turned out to be true or not.

BTW, thanks to everyone who helped and offered advice, these forums are a great place to share knowledge, and you all helped my wife and I make an informed decision.