CAUTION: When holes must be drilled or punched
in an inner body panel, verify depth of space to the
outer body panel, electrical wiring, or other compo-
nents. Damage to vehicle can result.

•

Do not weld exterior panels unless combustible

material on the interior of vehicle is removed from
the repair area. Fire or hazardous conditions, can
result.

•

Always have a fire extinguisher ready for use

when welding.

•

Disconnect the negative (-) cable clamp from

the battery when servicing electrical components
that are live when the ignition is OFF. Damage to
electrical system can result.

•

Do not use abrasive chemicals or compounds

on painted surfaces. Damage to finish can result.

•

Do not use harsh alkaline based cleaning sol-

vents on painted or upholstered surfaces. Damage
to finish or color can result.

•

Do not hammer or pound on plastic trim panel

when servicing interior trim. Plastic panels can
break.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WATER LEAKS

Water leaks can be caused by poor sealing,

improper body component alignment, body seam
porosity, missing plugs, or blocked drain holes. Cen-
trifugal and gravitational force can cause water to
drip from a location away from the actual leak point,
making leak detection difficult. All body sealing
points should be water tight in normal wet-driving
conditions. Water flowing downward from the front of
the vehicle should not enter the passenger or luggage
compartment.

Moving

sealing

surfaces

will

not

always seal water tight under all conditions. At
times, side glass or door seals will allow water to
enter the passenger compartment during high pres-
sure washing or hard driving rain (severe) condi-
tions.

Overcompensating

door

glass

adjustments to stop a water leak that occurs under
severe conditions can cause premature seal wear and
excessive closing or latching effort. After completing
a repair, water test vehicle to verify leak has stopped
before returning vehicle to use.

VISUAL INSPECTION BEFORE WATER LEAK TESTS

Verify that floor and body plugs are in place, body

drains are clear, and body components are properly

BODY

23 - 1

aligned and sealed. If component alignment or seal-
ing is necessary, refer to the appropriate section of
this group for proper procedures.

WATER LEAK TESTS

WARNING: DO NOT USE ELECTRIC SHOP LIGHTS
OR TOOLS IN WATER TEST AREA. PERSONAL
INJURY CAN RESULT.

When the conditions causing a water leak have

been determined, simulate the conditions as closely
as possible.

• If a leak occurs with the vehicle parked in a

steady light rain, flood the leak area with an open-
ended garden hose.

• If a leak occurs while driving at highway speeds

in a steady rain, test the leak area with a reasonable
velocity stream or fan spray of water. Direct the
spray in a direction comparable to actual conditions.

• If a leak occurs when the vehicle is parked on an

incline, hoist the end or side of the vehicle to simu-
late this condition. This method can be used when
the leak occurs when the vehicle accelerates, stops or
turns. If the leak occurs on acceleration, hoist the
front of the vehicle. If the leak occurs when braking,
hoist the back of the vehicle. If the leak occurs on left
turns, hoist the left side of the vehicle. If the leak
occurs on right turns, hoist the right side of the vehi-
cle. For hoisting recommendations (Refer to LUBRI-
CATION

MAINTENANCE/HOISTING

STANDARD PROCEDURE).

WATER LEAK DETECTION

To detect a water leak point-of-entry, do a water

test and watch for water tracks or droplets forming
on the inside of the vehicle. If necessary, remove inte-
rior trim covers or panels to gain visual access to the
leak area. If the hose cannot be positioned without
being held, have someone help do the water test.

Some water leaks must be tested for a considerable

length of time to become apparent. When a leak
appears, find the highest point of the water track or
drop. The highest point usually will show the point of
entry. After leak point has been found, repair the
leak and water test to verify that the leak has
stopped.

Locating the entry point of water that is leaking

into a cavity between panels can be difficult. The
trapped water may splash or run from the cavity,
often at a distance from the entry point. Most water
leaks of this type become apparent after accelerating,
stopping, turning, or when on an incline.

MIRROR INSPECTION METHOD

When a leak point area is visually obstructed, use

a suitable mirror to gain visual access. A mirror can

also be used to deflect light to a limited-access area
to assist in locating a leak point.

BRIGHT LIGHT LEAK TEST METHOD

Some water leaks in the luggage compartment can

be detected without water testing. Position the vehi-
cle in a brightly lit area. From inside the darkened
luggage compartment inspect around seals and body
seams. If necessary, have a helper direct a drop light
over the suspected leak areas around the luggage
compartment. If light is visible through a normally
sealed location, water could enter through the open-
ing.

PRESSURIZED LEAK TEST METHOD

When a water leak into the passenger compart-

ment cannot be detected by water testing, pressurize
the passenger compartment and soap test exterior of
the vehicle. To pressurize the passenger compart-
ment, close all doors and windows, start engine, and
set heater control to high blower in HEAT position. If
engine can not be started, connect a charger to the
battery to ensure adequate voltage to the blower.
With interior pressurized, apply dish detergent solu-
tion to suspected leak area on the exterior of the
vehicle. Apply detergent solution with spray device or
soft bristle brush. If soap bubbles occur at a body
seam, joint, seal or gasket, the leak entry point could
be at that location.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WIND NOISE

Wind noise is the result of most air leaks. Air leaks

can be caused by poor sealing, improper body compo-
nent alignment, body seam porosity, or missing plugs
in the engine compartment or door hinge pillar areas.
All body sealing points should be airtight in normal
driving conditions. Moving sealing surfaces will not
always seal airtight under all conditions. At times,
side glass or door seals will allow wind noise to be
noticed in the passenger compartment during high
cross winds. Over compensating on door or glass
adjustments to stop wind noise that occurs under
severe conditions can cause premature seal wear and
excessive closing or latching effort. After a repair pro-
cedure has been performed, test vehicle to verify
noise has stopped before returning vehicle to use.

VISUAL INSPECTION BEFORE TESTS

Verify that floor and body plugs are in place and

body components are aligned and sealed. If compo-
nent alignment or sealing is necessary, refer to the
appropriate section of this group for proper proce-
dures.

ROAD TESTING WIND NOISE

(1) Drive the vehicle to verify the general location

of the wind noise.

23 - 2

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