baekim22

Ok, I made a post earlier about the "STOP LAMP - VISIT WORKSHOP!" error. As others people on other forums mentioned, there was water getting through the trunk. I have a 2003 CL500 which i just bought 3 days ago btw. I got it used NOT certified but just used from MB of Stockton in CA. They told me and assured me everything was fine the A service was just done. What's shady is I think they had to have known the problem but probably didn't expect it to rain in southern CA where I live so soon exposing the issue. I never expected this from a MB dealership out of all places. Well anyways the problem is the rain channel in the trunk is leaking water through both sides where the battery is (right) and also where the stock AMP (left). I only found out because I was trying to tap into the stock amp to add another amp for a sub. The car is fine when it dries up and the weather gets hot during the day.

My question is what can I do? Take it to the stealership to replace the rain channel and trunk seals? Is there any other options to go else where or a DIY? I don't want this minor issue now to turn into something worse later, its expected to rain again Friday-Sunday in San Diego. Thanks in advance.

slonar21

I really don't understand how water can get in the truck from the sides, there is a plastic molding all around about two inches deep that channels the water to the rear. Did you park in a steep slope with the front end of the car pointing down?, Check for debris around the trunk gutters for debris that could block the water flow to the rear.

baekim22

I'm trying to figure out the same thing! I read a few other posts on here where people are having the same problem in the rear on CL, SL and S classes. It's terrible I'm thinking its seeping through the plastic or getting in-between the cracks. I don't know what to do. Im debating on buying some silicon seal to try and seal everything on the side rain channels.

baekim22

It might not only be that though. I may have to clean my drain in the front of the car as well. I think during the rain it may have caused some water to get in the passenger side

240M3SRT

Do you have a picture of the affected area. Are there any holes or cracks in or underneath the channel?

mf219

yup you have to keep that drain clear under the wipers. you don't want water on your passenger side floor- there's a fuse box under there

slonar21

Clean that drain ASAP

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ins-clean.html

freestylebiker3

lol here is a super cheap fix

http://www.flexsealreviews.org/

baekim22

Slonar, it's not the front drain. Its actually when i open the trunk those side plastic parts. There is too many gaps in between then and i feel like it's going through the cracks or something. The clips that close them are complete crap. Thinking of sealing the gaps and what not with weatherstrip sealant.

LOL freestyle that might actually fix the issue haha

Jud Chapin

Didn't you get some type of warranty with the car? Whether you did or not, I'd go back to the dealer and see what they will do about the problems.

AMGTestDriverNJ

I have an 03 215 and I had the same problem you are describing. The only difference I can tell is that they had me replace the tail light, telling me the seals on the taillight were what was letting the water in and damaging the module (left side.)

I ended up spending a fortune to replace the tail light, control module, ect. It affected the trunk, vacuum system as well as the speakers (amp) (all stopped working but command functioned fine). Sucks but what can you do?

My repair bill was around $1,200, but again I replaced tail light so that was about $500 I think the control module was about $350, ect. ect. Best of luck to you, sometimes you've just gotta bite the bullet. Or extend your warranty!

baekim22

@AMG. My sister notice when i first start the car my 3 break lights were flickering then go back to normal. have you noticed that. I haven't gotten as far as anything not working yet. I'm just hoping it doesnt rain here soon before i fix the issue. What'd you do about the trunk leak? i do get that "stop lamp visit workshop" error so the control module could already possibly be damaged but the flickering only happens when i start the car for a brief second. last question is where are the tail light seals? as in water was actually getting inside the tail light or through the trunk and on the back connections? Couldn't the seals be an easy DIY instead of replacing the whole thing?

baekim22

The tail lights i probably will cough up$$ for but what did you do about the sides leaking? Because i don't think its just the tail light part that is leaking. Its the actually plastic parts on the side.

AMGTestDriverNJ

I mean, I'm not sure my problem was the trunk rain seals. I think the seals that needed replacing were what surrounds the taillight (which I believe is actually part of the taillight assembly itself). Anyway, the stealership did what they call a "water test" where they basically just dump a bunch of water on your car and try to figure out where its getting in. Bad news is these idiots charge like $125 bucks for that, but that is how they determined where it was going in and what needed to be replaced. I did get the visit workshop message on the dash when the module went.

baekim22

i get the visit workshop message too but it goes away. That's dumb i think I'm gonna dump water on my own car and try to figure it out lol.

baekim22

CONFIRMED...pics to come soon. The leak in the tail light portion is confirmed but it comes from te rain channel as suspected leaks right on to the back connection area of tail light and worse if it doesn't get the tail light can leak to the amp, pse and the spare tire area. Horrible

baekim22

@AMG wassup with those 19" Brabus wheels tho? Still got em?

thesheikh

MB of Stockton sucks! I hate them. Eff them!

baekim22

Check out the pics in order. first pic is of the top left side of the trunk where the hydraulic pump is. The second is just above the rear left tail light. third picture is looking right into the trunk through where the tail light is supposed to be. 4th pic is me pouring water on top of where picture 1 is and then it leaking through the small side and coming out that very small crease allowing wanter to not only drip on the connectors but potentially get into the trunk and near the amp and PSE. Any suggestions?

tusabes

Wow thanks for posting pics

Larrynecessary

I just had the same thing happen to my '03 cl55. Water got into the trunk and killed the voice command module and the amp. First my independent guy said the gasket was missing on the driver side tail light which seemed odd but then the dealer said the same thing. My dealer in San Diego suggest putting a claim into my insurance co for the water damage. The dealer estimated $4200.00 but the insurance co said only $2600.00 damage... BUT then denied the claim. Apparently this "gasket" only comes with a new tail light assembly and the dealer wanted $450.00 it... Ok, I'm out... I can't play with you big boys no more!
FOR SALE! 2003 cl55 amg 115k miles... Almost everything works!

MiguelsC2CL

I was in the hill country a few weeks ago. Parked outside with my cars rear end pointed to the west and a big driving thunderstorm came through from the west. Hitting my trunk with an hour downpour at a 45 degree angle. I had a 6 inch diameter puddle on the trunk carpet and water dripping from the inside of the trunk lid shell.

There was a deck-lid repair by a previous owner. There were two possible areas of concern. The center brake light on the lid and the where the license plate housing assembly attaches to the deck-lid. One or both have gasket issues. Luckily no electronic damage.

Larrynecessary

UPDATE: About water leaking into the trunk and killing the amp, I got a amp from eBay for $300 and had La Jolla Audio in San Diego change it out for $600. Still cost $900 but thats better than the $4200 that the dealer wanted...
Also, the driver side tail light was missing the gasket, which was apparently the original reason that water got into the trunk in the first place. The dealer wanted $480 for the complete light assembly because you can't buy just the gasket, from the dealer. Thats ridiculous! I went to my independent shop and order a gasket for $19...