So, 98 XJ, only had it a few weeks...and we have had 2 good rains, and each time the water has puddled in the passenger floor.

It doesnt puddle in the floor unless its raining.

The windshield has been replaced I know so thats a possibilty.
Whats odd is that its puddling on top of my rubber floor mat, it is soaking the carpet too...but the water is actually sitting on top of the floor mat..

any thoughts?

 

Im interested to hear what people say... My 96 experiences some water in the passenger floor after rains. I just haven't prioritized looking into it yet.

 

You can also have a hole under the air cowl below the windshield I will cause water to run inside the cab if the drain hole is plugged causing a hole to rust through.

 

I just find it wierd that its actually ON TOP of my rubber mats.
Makes me think its coming in through the door seal and running over on top of the mat.

I dont see how if it was leaking through the cowl it wouldnt run down the floor pan and keep the mat itself dry

 

Maybe running through the back of the firewall after going through the cowl?

 

My Cherokee has the same problem. I've eliminated the door seal and the windshield seal. The water runs down the backside of the passenger side interior kick panel (the panel to the right of your feet as your sitting in the passenger seat). I have rags shoved up in there for now but would like to fix the problem before the floorboards rust. It looks like any help with pinpointing the problem will help many Cherokeeforum fanatics. (:

 

Like was said, there are a couple of drain holes under the cowel that if they get plugged up, will cause water to leak into the floorboard.

 

Antenna lead is in that general vicinity as well.

 

You will find plenty searching that "cowl leak". It turned out mine was both the blower gasket and some spaces there in the corner where the firewall meets the fender. (there was body putty there I guess). The hinge hole can be an issue as well.

I found mine letting a hose run slow here and there till I found the leaking. At first I waz tricked. It didn't leak in a minute or two when I first tried the blower. I guess it was puddling in there and needed more time to start dripping on the mat. (so I cut into my cowl for nothing!)


Here's a search> https://www.cherokeeforum.com/search...archid=5187042

 

Air conditioning also has a drain hose there that can get clogged (98 and 2000 at least). Just pop the hood and jiggle a screwdriver in it. It is below the heater core if I remember correctly.

 

It says, "when it rains". Suppose a clogged drain AC drain is worth mentioning here though...(compressed air works there)

 

Mine does this. I found if I park with the passenger side of the jeep higher then the driver, my floor stays dry. When it rains I just end up putting a tire on the curb.

 

Just went through this myself. The previous owner had the windshield replaced. When they scraped the urethane, they scratched the paint. Look for rust bubbles under the gasket. I thought I had a relatively rust free vehicle. Little did I know I had holes!
The water was collecting on top of my floor mat. Never on the console. This spring I noticed rust coming from under the gasket. Glass guy said he's seen it happen before. I welded new metal in, treated with Por15, and got my new glass.

 

Very interesting glad you posted that, and your very first post also.

Welcome to the forum.

 

That was what caused my 98 to get water in the foot well when it rained or unclogging it fixed what ever the real problem was. I don't believe in coincidence.