Water infiltration in the Trix

[FeelTheVibe2004]

Well, it's been raining a lot in my end and we just noticed water inside the Matrix. The rear passenger belt is very damp...the part that is hidden inside the panel. There was also a little water under the seat. No water on the floors though, so that should rule out the AC drain.
I know this is the wrong place to put my question, but I don't feel like opening up an account on Toyotanation. I've checked their articles but found nothing that describes my issue. A few posts online, but no actual solutions. No sunroof and windows/doors are shut tight when this happens. I checked the roof moldings, but there are no holes where water can get in. Gonna have to pop up the inside panels to investigate more. Also gonna need to clean the rear wheel wells, just to make sure there aren't any access holes or damage. Any other suggestions? I suspect that it might be from the rear passenger stop light area, or maybe bottom of rear window has a leak.
Love my Vibe that much more now...lol
Thanks guys.

[FeelTheVibe2004]

I'm now wondering if it isn't my washer fluid line that may have a leak, seeing that it passes around the rear-passenger side area.
Hasn't rained in a few days so I'm gonna check the rear belt later if it's wet or not. If it is, that might narrow things down a little and possibly expose the problem.
If it isn't, I'll try to spray the rear window and see if anything drips.
Keep you all posted.

[joatmon]

I can't remember the last time I used my rear washer. Do you use yours much?

Seems like if water was splashing up from underneath, you'd have to get a lot on the floor before the retractable rear seat belt would get wet

You may have to pull the trim and have someone hose the outside while you look for drip inside

[FeelTheVibe2004]

Hardly ever, but the possibility of a leak was always there. After a few days of monitoring, no new signs of water had appeared during sunny days. However, It rained like crazy all of thursday and voila...water on the belt and in the hatch area (I removed the rear panel-cover that leads to the light housing) Guess I'm gonna have to pop off the rear side panel anyways. I can hear the clips breaking already...

[wmdiess]

Do you have a sun roof? If so, clear the drains.

Bill

[FeelTheVibe2004]

Hi Bill
No sunroof, I seriously doubt that water would make it all the way in the back without showing signs along the roof fabric.
I was thinking that maybe a vent in the hatch area is letting water splash in from the wheels, but that's unlikely cause the water is clear.

[wmdiess]

Hi Bill
No sunroof, I seriously doubt that water would make it all the way in the back without showing signs along the roof fabric.
I was thinking that maybe a vent in the hatch area is letting water splash in from the wheels, but that's unlikely cause the water is clear.

Glad you could rule out sunroof. They have four drains and the rear ones are a real pain.

The headliner has a thin plastic lining and water can move quite a distance without a wet spot. That said it does show up wet at the edge of the headliner and you don't have that (I assume).

Do you have a roof rack? it is another "feature" of the Vibe that can let in water.

Bill

[FeelTheVibe2004]

Sorry about the confusion Bill...
My Vibe has one, but no roof rack on my Matrix.
I wanted to check today but got sidetracked and ended up washing the mags for all 3 cars...
Picked up my touch up paint to fix some of the scratches & chips. So nice outside...can't wait to put them on.

[wmdiess]

So apparently I need to learn how to read, sorry.

It still puzzles me that you would have water low like that. Short of rusting a hole through, losing a grommet or cracking the inner fender, I don't see how water would get there.

Bill

[FeelTheVibe2004]

You and me both my friend.
I can't wait to get to the bottom of this, but in the meantime I'm trying not to stress too much about it.
Eventually I'll narrow it down.