I have a '95 SC-300 5-spd. I got the car 3 1/2 years ago in emmaculate condition w/ only 38K miles.

I have had recurring problems with the Pioneer audio system. Earlier the CD changer was replaced ... twice!

Now, over the past year, I have had amplifier problems. The Lexus techs did not want to do too much with diagnosing the problem for free at first, but after asking about it on my next couple of visits, they hooked up another amp and it worked, so they said mine was bad.

I got another one off the net about that year ago, and it also was bad. In going to a local Pioneer certified repair shop, they said both the amps had water damage. Hmmm, both ... that seemed a bit strange.

Having no stereo for a year (which blew!), I found another amp online. I installed it, and all was working great ... until a couple nights ago.

Driving home in the rain, the amp just went out again (only hearing the sub, as that amp is in a separate location). As soon as I got home, I pulled the liner off the trunk, and there was a LOT of condensation all around above the wheel well, and the amp was indeed wet. I then checked the driver's side, and though not as wet, there was water there too!!

Has anyone else had this problem at all? Is this something with this line? It looked like the water was coming from underneath, but I could not pinpoint it.

The other thing I was thinking was I had the late-model SC-400 rear spoiler installed, but looking all around it was dry, and the interior of the trunk was completely dry. It was only behind the lining that was wet. I need to try going to a self-car wash and spray along the top just to make sure that is not where the water is getting in.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I really don't trust the Lexus mechanics to give me a straight up answer.

Thanks in advance! -Dex

 

Does your car have a sunroof. I would check the sunroof drainage holes by testing with pouring water thru the railing. Check all drainage holes throughout the car from the top first. Then work downwards testing and clearing. Let us know how it goes. It is possible that one or more clogged or the line is off and draining into the car itself. I could be wrong but, it won't hurt to test and see.

 

Thank you, that is good advice. I did see that when the spoiler was put on that two holes were left in the extreme corners of the decklid, but that is over the draining "rails" around the trunk seam.

Living in an apartment, I cannot hook up a hose, but I will try to locate a do-it-yourself carwash and spray all over those areas and recheck for water.

Thanks again, and will let you know what I come up with.

-Dex

 

I have a friend with a SC 400 who had the same problem with his Nakamichi Amp. He was never really able to figure out exactly where the water was entering from. After his second amp he mounted the amp behind the back wall of the trunk next to the right rear strut instead of under the changer. It was a pain to reposition the wire harness but he has not had any trouble with his amp since.

 

After you check the water run off from the sunroof and it is ok. Try to spray water inside the wheel well. Spot check it to see where the water came in then seal it with silicon...If that doesn't work, you have to seal it from inside. I had the same problem with my driver side. The car has some body work at the lelf rear quarter panel. This was before I bought it, so when I found out it took me weeks to figure out where the water come from.

If your car is park under the rain and no water got in the trunk then the run off hoses are OK. Drive under the rain and there is water in the trunk it is your wheel well.

 

Thanks a lot! That makes good sense, as it appears (as far as I have noticed with the stereo) that the car has sat through rain and even driven through damp roads and been fine, but driving through rain and puddles this past time did me in.

I am going to my girlfriends house this weekend where I can spray the car with a hose to my hearts content. I hope to find just where these entry points are then, and then will argue with the Lexus technicians on why they did not attempt to find this problem, and hope to heck they will replace the amp (seeing as I have already gone through $200 diagnosing and replacing it, and a new one from Lexus is over $400).

-Dex

 

They will say this is other problem that hurt the Amp. they won't warranty it, typical. Unless you can prove that they did something so that the water get in side the trunk. If not it is your responsibility, it your car. How do they know what happen to the car before you took it in to them...
Mechanic only do what they told to. Why do more when you can wait for the owner to bring it back so you can charge more labor time...I think you better fix it yourself and be done with it...

Good Luck

 

Sorry for posting back so late ... I was in process of buying some land, and going back and forth with some issues with the County.

It appears that the drainage holes are the culprits. I sprayed lots of water from underneath the wheel wells, and all was fine. Though, initially, I sprayed from the top, and all was OK as well. Though, after a prolonged rain, my replacement amp DIED AGAIN!! As soon as I got home, I ripped apart the trunk, and noticed water around the drainage holes on BOTH the driver's and passenger's sides.

I agree, that I will prolly need to replace the amp on my own $ again, but this time I will wire it so I can relocate it. What a real pain in the ****! You would think since '91 that Lexus would have had more complaints of this and did some re-engineering.

Oh well ... other than that, the car, having nearly 100,000 miles on it, is still very strong for a stock ride.

Thanks all again!!
-Rdex

 

I've been having the same problem on the passenger side of my car. I have traced one leak to an un-sealed body seam behind the tail-light. I don't know if that's the only leak I have or not. My car has been wrecked, so I don't know what else they missed. Hopefully that's it. Water will collect where the drain tubes exit the chassis simply because its the lowest point in the trunk.

 

I hope you track down where that water is coming in from and have it fixed ASAP or youll start to have corrosion and rust from all that water collecting there and just sitting there. I hate those leaks myself with a passion, luckily i dont have one in mine.

 

I noticed some moisture in my rear drivers side floor board. I was backed into recently and had it repaired. Would the sunroof drainage be leaking down into the cabin?

 

yeah im having water in my trunk under the amp...i can see the water backed up in the tube...how can i fix this problem?

CEO