Sprung a leak

The Yorkshireman · Jun 19, 2022

Just as we went to bed we noticed water dripping from the rear locker light onto the bed. Ended up having to lift the headlining and put some containers where the brake light fastening clips come through the roof. Managed to seal the light with gorilla tape the following morning hopefully caught it in time. Bugger!

Mr T · Jun 19, 2022

The Yorkshireman said:
Just as we went to bed we noticed water dripping from the rear locker light onto the bed. Ended up having to lift the headlining and put some containers where the brake light fastening clips come through the roof. Managed to seal the light with gorilla tape the following morning hopefully caught it in time. Bugger!

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OH NO! What a nightmare. Hope it hasn’t done too much damage.

The Yorkshireman · Jun 19, 2022

Don’t think so I’ve had the wife’s hair dryer up there; posted it in case anyone else had trouble. Suns back tomorrow so of to the beach

T3Z-GB · Jun 20, 2022

The Yorkshireman said:
Just as we went to bed we noticed water dripping from the rear locker light onto the bed. Ended up having to lift the headlining and put some containers where the brake light fastening clips come through the roof. Managed to seal the light with gorilla tape the following morning hopefully caught it in time. Bugger!

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Thank you for sharing. Hopefully won’t be to much damage or time at the dealer to properly fix.

The Yorkshireman · Jun 20, 2022

Thanks think I’ve caught it hoping the sun going to follow us for the next few weeks.

Jester · Jun 20, 2022

The Yorkshireman said:
Thanks think I’ve caught it hoping the sun going to follow us for the next few weeks.

Morning I’ve seen a post like this before on the German forum.
Sorry for your issues, pleased you say the sun is coming out as yesterday for me was very wet and winds of 43mph.
Also down to 70% on the battery. Not bad I guess for 4 nights.
Jersey is a lovely place.
Would be interested to know how they go about making good.

The Yorkshireman · Jun 20, 2022

Sat on the beach, all booked in at dealers will update when it’s sorted hope the weather picks up down there cheers

The Yorkshireman · Jul 22, 2022

Hi the vans now been repaired with a new roof brake light and a replacement seal. There’s a noticeable difference in the seal, when you depress the light it feels spongy (Yorkshire technical term).
They have also checked the roof lights and issued a manual update, warning about ventilation due to the high plastic content in the vehicle.
Just relieved there was no water damage.

EuropeanVanderlust · Aug 30, 2023

Unfortunately we experienced this issue during a particularly strong storm while on the road in the Baltics. There was just a small drip from the seam of the upper cabinet across the back of the van onto the bed. It does not appear upon inspection that there is any damage to any of the cabinets. Does anyone happen to know the part number for the brake light seal?

We temporarily fixed the issue with duct tape while on the road.

Our van is out of warranty so we would like to fix on our own.

GordonH · Aug 30, 2023

Its a known issue, see TPI attached which gives part numbers of original and additional butyl seal.

EuropeanVanderlust · Aug 31, 2023

Super helpful @GordonH
Thank you!!!

GordonH · Aug 31, 2023

You can also find information on the removal and refit process at www.grandcali.com. which is a great resource site in general., specific page for the brake light re-seal is https://www.grandcali.com/wdb/abdichtung-3-bremsleuchte/

EuropeanVanderlust · Sep 15, 2023

GordonH said:
You can also find information on the removal and refit process at www.grandcali.com. which is a great resource site in general., specific page for the brake light re-seal is https://www.grandcali.com/wdb/abdichtung-3-bremsleuchte/

Thank you @GordonH for sharing this link! My husband completed the replacement today utilizing the step by step instructions and the tape from Amazon that they referenced. All looks good- so now we wait until it rains!

thesquirrelpatrol · Sep 20, 2023

I’ve had the brake light replaced twice now and still have water coming in through the back right hand side under cabinet light. Dealer and I both at a loss! Any ideas where else this could be coming in? Surely having replaced the brake light twice it couldn’t still be that. I’m at my wits end, this is on our REPLACEMENT grand California. The first one got taken back by vw and replaced due to ongoing faults.

GordonH · Sep 20, 2023

I would have thought you can tell if it’s from the rear brake light. All the fixings are visible behind the ceiling trim and its through those holes where the fixings are that any water ingress due to a fault in the seal would be. Spray plenty of water onto the roof and pull the trim away around the rear skylight or AC and look through the gap for leaks with a decent torch. Is the dealer re-fitting the brake light assembly with a new original seal AND the new butyl seal, the latter bring the ‘fix’ per the TPI?