I'm getting ready to tackle some of the issues with my car and the biggest one is the central locking unit/vacuum pump which apparently got wet from sitting in a puddle of water due to the car sitting so long at the last dealership that had it (he apparently bought it from Chrysler in 12/07 and it didnt move an inch til i bought it 5/24).

I took it to the dealer thinking just the vac pump needed to be replaced but apparently the water also corroded the harness that connects to the vacuum unit and thus it will need to be entirely replaced, as it is also affecting CAN communications with the instrument panel. I have heard through the dealer I bought the car from that there is some kind of wiring harness repair kit that MB or Chrysler sells but of course my Chrysler dealer only quoted the 1100.00 for the entire harness.

Has anyone else ever experienced this or know the details of the harness repair kit?

Help appreciated Thanks.

 

I parked mine outside during a particularly heavy rain and some water did get in the cargo area below the styrofoam. I didn't see any in the locking unit/vacuum pump, so mine is okay.

I would suggest that since it was something that happened at the dealer BEFORE you bought it that the dealer is responsible... did you get a warranty?

Cheers!

 

Yup, I got an extended warranty (but through the finance company so it could be financed in with my payments, not a Chrysler one) so before I go hitting them with such a heavy claim I want to see if there is a way to minimize it. Since the selling dealer is 400 miles away, I want to try to get it done this route first.

Thanks.

 

I had a water leak in mine causing all sorts of eletrical problems. I took it in and they had to replace the wiring harness that runs through the entire vehicle. My invoice reads that there was a water leak passengers side rear tailgate area. I also remember them saying something about the right rear quater panel. I'm not a car buff, so I'm not sure if this is the same problem you are having. I also do not know much about the repair kit, but I do remember my service advisor saying he had to order the harness from MB. The entire process for them to replace the harness took over a month. I hope this is not your problem but if it is you may be experiencing erratic behaviour with your fog lights, windows, and lock/unlock switches.

 

Yes, we pretty much have the exact same problem however mine affects only the locking system (since the pump got wet) and apparently communications with the Instrument panel CAN connector (diagnostics).

 

I've noticed in the trunk that under the piece that lifts up, the paperish-cardboard stuff in front of the styrofoam has water stains. Why is this and do I have anything to worry about?

 

I don't know why it is or where the water comes in from, though I suspect the seal on the trunk lid or the rear right window.

There is a compartment behind the carpet and trunk lining on the right hand side of the trunk area (passenger side), the pump for the locks and the harness resides there (that end of it), if its sitting in water it needs to be dried out immediately.

 

Now I'll have to run the hose over my car and find out where the heck the water was getting in...

 

Well I had a similar problem but not exactly the same as yours. I took my car into the dealership because my alarm was acting funny / I couldn't unlock my doors. They said that the seal around the tail light was broken and allowed water to drip down onto the alarm module which was then sitting in a pool of water and shorting out. However I have the Chrysler 7/70,000 warranty and they did not cover it. Thankfully the dealership quoted me as if they were going to cover it so they were left with the remaining balance from my $100 deductible. They really took a hit there since the module was around $700 and they also gave me a rental for 3 (or 4) days assuming it was going to be covered.

 

sounds like for you cold wet weather guys this module should be shrink wrapped or insulated.

 

Lift it out of it's 'hole' and set it on a unopened kitchen trash bag... set it back in the hole and just make sure the sides of the bag come up high enough to create a 'cradle' for the module to sit in...

Or... actually put the module in the trash bag with the harness coming out of the open end...

Cheers!

 

I had water coming in from under the rear spoiler wing pedestals on one of my SRT's. You could see water running down the inside rear trunk luvers during a hard rain. The wing was removed and resealed at no charge. Good Luck... Don

 

where is the is the central locking unit/vacuum pump !

 

You must pull the right-hand side trunk compartment carpeting back, and it is in a well down behind it.