Water on passenger side carpet?

[JJMaine]

I noticed some water behind the passenger seat up against the door after lifting the floor mat. It seems like it has gotten wet all along beside the door but not sure if the cause?

The seal does not look good on my third brake light (ordered a new one) but I pulled the trim off around the rear seat and the panel on the floor the covers the weather strip and it is wet down bottom but no signs of water, rusty bits or anything above that. I also pulled the brake light out and inside that is clean as a whistle with no signs of water. Not that it couldn't have evaporated but it looks just like brand new in there?

Could it be my door seal? It is starting to separate towards the front and I get some air noise at highway speeds but both side window seals are like that and the driver side floor is bone dry. Any other things I can check?

Like I said, I will fix the third brake light but want to be looking for other causes in case that wasn't the main issue. Thanks! Baking soda for the stink (hopefully).

 

[franklin2]

The only way to figure it out is to pull the carpet back and expose the most of the floor you can, dry it out, and then take a water hose and first put it down the grill at the wipers. See if you get any water. If not, then spray it on the windshield area and around the antenna if you have one. Keep checking the floor. Work your way around the door and then to the rear while checking the floor board.

 

[JJMaine]

Awesome thanks! I'll try these things tomorrow. After some searching it appears that I'm not the only one to have this issue lol. Seems common with these Rangers and plenty of things that can cause it. I've been putting together a list of things to check.

 

[Uncle Gump]

These are known to leak around the third brake light too.

 

[JJMaine]

I confirmed that it was the third brake light. After putting some baking soda on the carpet to take the smell away (which worked amazing btw) when I vacuumed it up it was obvious where the carpet was wet because the baking soda had hardened and stuck to the carpet. It was wet on the hump in the rear behind the back seat so the water had obviously come from the rear. I put some tape over the third brake light and after a day of heavy rain it was bone dry inside. Now my problem is going to be getting this Dorman brake light sealed. The gasket isn't thick enough and I've got the screws as tight as I dare so it makes contact all the way around. It's probably water right but not sure if it'll last

I've taped that for now as well until I find a better solution. Silicone?

 

[JJMaine]

I still plan to clean out the cowl vents when time allows to make sure they are clear.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Butyl tape...

 

[SenorNoob]

Or RTV.