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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
I have a fuse box leak at the firewall... water coming out from the bottom screw, I checked it and it's not loose so I'm not sure how to fix it. Any ideas?
How did you verify that's the source of the leak and not just the spot where it finally drips? The other side of that is a pretty protected area in the engine bay.
How did you verify that's the source of the leak and not just the spot where it finally drips? The other side of that is a pretty protected area in the engine bay.
I'm not sure honestly. I tried looking other places where it could be coming from but can't really find anything.. Any tips or suggestions? Theres just a lot of other leaks on this jeep so its sometimes hard to tell what is coming from where
Well, if it's not well below freezing where you live, you can get a garden hose and spray water (gentle spray) directly on the connector and surrounding area while someone watches inside.
Check the condition of the grommets near the connector. One is the hood release cable. The other is the vacuum release for the cruise control on the brake pedal. The other is the washer line for the rear window. Also check the weatherstrip around the hood hinge. All of these are right above the fuse box and could provide water entry.
I am not sure about a 1988, but on a 96 the most common leak on the passenger side is the antenna cable. It has a rubber grommet on it where it goes through the sheet metal and either wears down or vibrates out and when it rains the water follows the cable to the interior.
Good luck on finding your gremlin!
Pull the plug out, look for damage or traces of where the water is leaking in, clean the firewall and surfaces there it seals, put some rtv around it and reinstall.
Well, if it's not well below freezing where you live, you can get a garden hose and spray water (gentle spray) directly on the connector and surrounding area while someone watches inside.
Check the condition of the grommets near the connector. One is the hood release cable. The other is the vacuum release for the cruise control on the brake pedal. The other is the washer line for the rear window. Also check the weatherstrip around the hood hinge. All of these are right above the fuse box and could provide water entry.
I'm not sure, my hood hinge seals look good, I'm gonna have to check the other ones too.
Sorry for the late update but I fixed it, just put some silicone sealant on the screws and screwed em back in. That's it. Nothing else lol its completely fixed. Thanks everyone for the help and pointing me into the right direction!
Last edited by 4.0 Frank; Feb 15, 2024 at 09:46 PM.
Which screws did you seal? Mine still leaks a little. I sealed up the seams at the corner of the fender/firewall, antenna plug, and sealed over the entire cowl area to rule that out. It’s running down the firewall behind the fuse box, from a point somewhere above all that.
I am not sure about a 1988, but on a 96 the most common leak on the passenger side is the antenna cable. It has a rubber grommet on it where it goes through the sheet metal and either wears down or vibrates out and when it rains the water follows the cable to the interior.
Good luck on finding your gremlin!
Thank you! I was wondering why the passenger-side floor pan has a big hand-sized rust scab underneath. The only breakthrough rust on this otherwise solid California XJ. rust under passenger side floor pan --may have leaked in from radio antenna, and pooled up under carpet
rust under passenger side floor pan --may have leaked in from radio antenna, and pooled up under carpet
Firewall leak at fuse box
